P-40's & P-51's to China

[mike furline]

Interesting pic, I believe taken in India or Ceylon.
The s/n of the P-40's show them going to China for post-war service, I imagine the P-51's went there as well. http://joebaugher.com/usaf_serials/1943_2.html
The national insignias are painted over on the P-40's, P-51's and the RN Corsair (fin flash as well) on the upper left, compared to the RN TBM on the right.
Looks like there's a Wellington just above the P-40 engines.
R4D BuNo ?7768

Last edited by mike furline on Sat Apr 24, 2021 5:56 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[navion91104]

Ask Harry. That’s probably one of his old P-40N’s. He’s still flying around Southern California.

http://www.warbirdinformationexchange.org/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=49134

http://www.worldrecordacademy.org/world-records/amazing/oldest-active-pilot-world-record-set-by-harry-moyer-220630

[marine air]

One of my dad's mechanics had served in Karachi, India and this picture certainly is reminiscent of the base he worked at. He said they worked on everything the allies had. They would unbox them , put them together , or in some cases repair them . In that picture there seems to be a British Corsair, Avenger, and Wellington. Then there are American P-51's, P-40
s , C-47's and what appears to be a P-43 on the far left side of pic. I don't know if this is Karachi. He said they also would've been working on Spitfires.

[mike furline]

I don't see a P-43, perhaps another RN Corsair or Hellcat. I believe this is late 1945, with these used P-40's & P-51's being repaired for sale/transfer to the Chinese Air Force.
Not sure why the RN Corsair has its national insignia painted over as well?

[LysanderUK]

The "P43" is either a Miles Master or a Miles Martinet, hard to tell for sure from head-on. Interesting pic!

The Wellington in the background has the "porcupine" aerials for ASV radar, so it's a maritime patrol variant and would suggest along with the RN types that the airfield is coastal or on an island. Ceylon (Sri Lanka) seems like a sensible suggestion, though not certain.

[marine air]

LysanderUK, I agree with your assessment. I was wishing it to be a P-43 .

[mike furline]

The "P43" is either a Miles Master or a Miles Martinet, hard to tell for sure from head-on. Interesting pic!

The Wellington in the background has the "porcupine" aerials for ASV radar, so it's a maritime patrol variant and would suggest along with the RN types that the airfield is coastal or on an island. Ceylon (Sri Lanka) seems like a sensible suggestion, though not certain.

Excellent ID, neither of those types would have crossed my mind for a front line base.

[Pogmusic]

The "P43" is either a Miles Master or a Miles Martinet, hard to tell for sure from head-on. Interesting pic!

The Wellington in the background has the "porcupine" aerials for ASV radar, so it's a maritime patrol variant and would suggest along with the RN types that the airfield is coastal or on an island. Ceylon (Sri Lanka) seems like a sensible suggestion, though not certain.

Excellent ID, neither of those types would have crossed my mind for a front line base.

Remember, P-43's were used throughout the war in USAAF service as Squadron hacks. I'm not saying that is what the aircraft is, just how it may have been there. Great image!

[jdvoss]

RE : Mystery "P-43" - Any remote possibility that it could be a Vultee P-66 Vanguard?? I have seen photos taken at Karachi of P-66's being assembled there displaying both USAAF and Chinese AF insignias.

JDV
www.fuselagecodes.com

[Stoney]

China received all the P-66s, but only about 60 ever got to China.

[mike furline]

I would think by 1945, the possibility of a P-43 or P-66 would be extremely rare.

[LysanderUK]

Here's a comparison shot of a Miles Master from a similar angle, as I said the Martinet is pretty much identical from head on so could be either type. Looks a good match to me.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/8270787@N07/41402963770