P-40CU "Eight Ball" ...

[Mark Allen M]

Not sure whether it's a B or C or much else about when and where. Anyone care to add some information? I'm thinking a white nose and white partial cowling?
Great looking photo for those interested in the early P-40 models.
ebay link here.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/WWII-USAAF-Curt ... 51d7422369

Last edited by Mark Allen M on Mon Sep 07, 2015 8:11 am, edited 1 time in total.

[Buz]

Just a quick info check on this one. The aircraft is actually a P-40CU, not a B or C model.

Sorry can't date the Photo, but the aircraft served with 57PS/54PG, before going through a number of training units until going to a Tech Training unit Mar 1944 (likely scrapped post war). My own feeling is this was taken pretty early in its Training life, so either Baton Rouge, Charlotte or Spartenburg (please note just my thoughts although someone may be able to match the background with those Fields)

Buz

[Chris Brame]

I checked for accident reports:

420313 RP-40 39-210 57PS 54PG Harding Field, Baton Rouge, LA LAC 3 Zetterquist, Herman R USA LA Harding Field, LA

Then played with the contrast a bit:

What do you think?

[Buz]

Accepted by USAAC 31/7/40,
Langley Fld 31/7/40,
Mitchell Fld 23/11/40,
Republic 14/12/41,
Bolling Fld 18/12/41,
Windsor Locks 2/1/42,
Bolling Fld 10/1/42,
Baton Rouge 14/2/42,
Damaged when aircraft suffered a ground loop at Harding Fld (Pilot 2Lt H.R.Zetterquist) 13/3/42,
Charlotte 20/5/42,
Damaged when aircraft suffered a landing accident at Spartenburg (Pilot 2Lt F.R.Johnsey) 31/5/42,
Spartenburg 4/6/42,
Myrtle 12/7/42,
Charlotte 28/7/42,
Selma 18/9/42,
Charlotte date unknown
Unknown 18/12/42,
Spence Fld 15/2/43,
Buckingham 12/8/43,
To Class 26 17/3/44,

Based on the Paint this is a repainted airframe, based of style of finish, lack of markings or evidence of marking in certain areas, and the Serial being no standard (on P-40CU's not in general), of interest no nose guns evident, leads my thoughts to a training unit.

Buz

[Mark Allen M]

Good stuff, thx kindly gents.

[res6kgcr]

Great eyes Chris,

Here one of “Eight Ball” maybe in its Class 26 days somewhere:



And its squadron mate ship 49 for wheel test for muddy fields at Wright Field:



All the best

Tom

Last edited by res6kgcr on Tue Sep 08, 2015 10:35 am, edited 1 time in total.

[Chris Brame]

Thanks Tom! Let's take a closer look:

Interesting; looks like a field code "K51" - K was the code for Keesler, MS or Richmond, VA. I also tweaked the contrast on the P-40 tail on the right; looks like 40-316. Baugher says that one went to reclamation at Deming, NM on Dec 12, 1944.

[Buz]

History for 40-316, maybe someone can work out where this one was taken

FAD 23/9/40,
Hamilton Fld 6/10/40, with 21PS/35PG
Damaged when aircraft ground looped on take off 02 Sep 1941
March Fld 26/11/41, with 50PS/14PG
Terminal Isld San Pedro Fld 18/12/41,
March Fld 3/1/42,
Damaged when aircraft ground looped on landing 12 Jan 1942
To Class 26 31/3/42,
March Fld 2/5/42,
Portland 3/5/42,
Picked up from Class 26 4/5/42,
McChord Fld 5/5/42, with 38FS/55FG
Damaged when aircraft ground looped on landing at Paine Fld 02 Jun 1942
Portland 18/2/43,
Palmdale 7/9/43,
Aircraft crashed due to engine failure whilst on a ferry flight - 13 Nov 1943
Taken to Deming field
Surveyed and Scrapped 2/44

Buz

[Sopwith]

Excuse my ignorance but what is the P40CU designation, i.e. what are the differences?. Thanks

[Buz]

The P-40CU was the first production model of the P-40 line (Curtiss Designation H81A) with little to no armour, self sealing tanks, only one gun per wing etc, and were later converted to RP-40CU, and P-40G-CU (those that survived)

Buz

Last edited by Buz on Tue Sep 08, 2015 3:52 am, edited 1 time in total.

[Sopwith]

Thanks Buzz for your reply. Is there any good indepth books about the P40 that anyone can recommend that goes into all the technicalities?

[Buz]

Sopwith

Depending on how far into it you want to go, there are some more basic books that explain the basic changes, and there are some more in depth ones as well.

Name your poison and I'll recommend something

Buz

[cooper9411]

One of the best I've read is "Curtiss P-40 from 1939-1945 by Anis El Bieb and Daniel Laurelut.

[Buz]

One of the best I've read is "Curtiss P-40 from 1939-1945 by Anis El Bieb and Daniel Laurelut.

Won't agree or disagree which book is best as everyone has a different view, however I will say this book contains some glaring errors, pretty much like most books written on the P-40 (The ones that constantly appear are the "Short tailed P-40L-1CU's and that the Tomahawk in the RAF (based in England) never flew operations. However there are a number of myths with P-40's).

The best book to date in my personal view is "Curtiss Fighter Aircraft by Dean and Hagedorn" (corrects all the known myths on the P-40 afaik), however a large and I expect now expensive book. For basics the P-40 Warhawk in Detail Vol.1 and Vol 2 by Kinzey are good for a relative read, with good images etc (not with standing some of the errors above), or the Curtiss P-40 by MBI, again basics and good read with some of the more unusual info (Russian Ops etc) but again errors.

Buz

[Sopwith]

Buz, and Cooper9411, in-depth would be my preference, for reading up on them. Are those that you've both suggested the ones to go for then? Thanks again.