It's easy to get the idea that it couldn't fly, and they got a replacement plane, and needed the junk one removed from the area - so burial was the simplest easiest way to get rid of it.
https://silodrome.com/curtiss-p-40-warhawk-project-plane/
During its active life in the war this Curtiss was piloted by Lt. H. W. Harris and Lt. J. J. O’Neil who shot down three or more enemy aircraft in the Spring of 1944. This plane was known as White 17 with the nose art “Spooky” and “Dolores” when it served with the 7th Fighter Squadron of the 49th Fighter Group USAAF.
After 50 years buried underground the aircraft was rediscovered and carefully excavated, it’s new owner decided to have it returned to flying condition, no mean feat given its condition, and the restoration process began in 1999.
During the long rebuild the fuselage has been returned to almost complete condition as well as the internal equipment. It’s now being sold as-is with the substantial original wreckage including original wings confirming identity and provenance of this historic airframe.
The aircraft is being sold through Platinum Fighter Sales out of Melbourne, Australia with an asking price of $695,000 USD.
That is really cool. What a dashboard. Love these stories.
ReplyDeleteJust in awe! Wow. Australia(RAAF) had a huge involvement with the P40....Kittyhawk as it was known then. I cannot say if that was the official designation or similar to other US warbirds that gathered Aussie and Brit names back then. Example,the PBY Catalina ? Aah,the memories. My dad served in the Top End from '43 on. Not many yarns,but some most memorable. Thanks again,Jesse.
ReplyDeleteBut wait...I forgot to say;what a great fighting machine the P40 was!!! So strongly built,like so much from the US;you know,,,Cadillacs,Chevvies,Oh,and Mopars(just for you Mate.) Seriously,could not match the more nimble,lighter fighters in manouverability but could soak up the punishment and still,in the hands of a good stick man,come out on top.
ReplyDeleteMaybe ten or twenty years ago now, they found six Spitfires buried, unassembled, still in their crates, in Burma or some such SE asian hellhole. The British were in danger of being over run at the time and didn't want them to fall into Japanese hands. So they buried them and they weren't discovered until recently.
ReplyDeletethe news 11 years ago was that they possibly existed, and some guy was looking... the news 7 years ago was that they still weren't found. https://justacarguy.blogspot.com/2012/06/there-are-20-perfectly-preserved.html
DeleteAre you positive they were found? Send me a link!