This P40 N5/CU "Carolina Belle" has been sold and it is heading back to USA. This is a major Identity aircraft - 11 Kills on the upper fuselage making it the most lethal P40 of the Pacific! Unique piece of history thought ...
Assigned to the 5th Air Force, 49th Fighter Group, 8th Fighter Squadron. Assigned to pilot Ernest A. "Ernie" Harris. Nicknamed "The Carolina Belle".
This P-40 was flown by Harris on combat missions spanning at least January 7 until April 11, 1943. Flying this P-40, he scored seven (of his ten) claimed victories, including:
January 7, 1943 - 3 victories
March 3, 1943 - 1 victories
April 11, 1943 - 3 victories
After his 7th victory, Harris was promoted from 1st Lt to Captain and assigned another aircraft.
Next, this P-40 was taken over by another (unknown) pilot who claimed two additional victories.
Later, the plane crash landed at Finschhafen Airfield and was written off and later buried or partially buried.
The Wreckage fuselage section and portions of the tail remained buried at Finschhafen Airfield until 1997. On the wreckage, the pilot's name "Capt E. A. Harris" is still visible on the fuselage, plus ten victory flags and the original olive drab exterior paint.
More information here:
http://pacificwrecks.com/aircraft/p-40/42-104947.html
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