Curtiss P-40, AH781 of 400 Sqn SP-F or S?
 

Curtiss P-40, AH781 of 400 Sqn was photographed as SP-F and was later written off on landing after it was damaged flying under a bridge near Winchester on 19th October 1941, later erroneously called 'Spitfire Bridge'.

It is claimed the individual code was changed from F to S. Where is the confirmation? The 540?

Re: Curtiss P-40, AH781 of 400 Sqn SP-F or S?
 

Larry . there's a photo of AH781 as SP-S on the Dunsfold Airfield History Society site ( RCAF 1942-1943); also details of incidents on the RAF Commands web-site where she is noted as still flying in 1943 ( crashed 11 Oct. pilot killed ).

As per this site she was with 1684 Bomber (Defence) Training Flight,which wasn't formed until 29 June 1943 at Little Horwood and disbanded 1 Aug. 1944 at Wing (where she apparently crashed).
They had Marks 1, IIA and IIB coded PB.


Regards
Nick
Let me know if you can't find the photo.

Re: Curtiss P-40, AH781 of 400 Sqn SP-F or S?
 

Update Larry.
It looks like the "Bridge" Tomahawk was AH851 there's a photo of her marked SP-F in "RAF Squadrons" at Odiham; P/O G A Rogers was injured when he lost 3 feet of wing at the bridge on 19-10-41 in her.

400 Sqn were at Odiham 25-6-41 to 4-12-42 (to Dunsfold).


Nick

Re: Curtiss P-40, AH781 of 400 Sqn SP-F or S?
 

Thanks.

Evidently AH781 was not written off as the Air Britain book suggests, on 19th Oct 1941.

After losing it wing tip to the 'bridge' it also lost the use of its air speed indicator, so landed too fast and turned over on 19th and perhaps the Engineering Officer reconsidered, as repairable that's why it carried on with 400 Sqn and lasted another 2 years with 1684 Bomber (Defence) Training Flight

Re: Curtiss P-40, AH781 of 400 Sqn SP-F or S?
 

A former pilot with 400 Sqn had a photo of the aircraft after its mishap; I failed to get a copy......

Re: Curtiss P-40, AH781 of 400 Sqn SP-F or S?
 

Larry. I'm sure it was AH851 SP-F which was written-off in Oct. 1941 with 400 Sqn. RCAF from Odiham. AH781 was in an accident at Merston on Dec. 1 1941, evidently repaired.
Regards
Nick



AH781 pilot F/Sgt. Shephard's certificates from the CWGC; Urmston is Gt. Manchester.
https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/fi...bert-shephard/

Re: Curtiss P-40, AH781 of 400 Sqn SP-F or S?
 

Info available shows that AH851 (SP-F) was written off after striking the bridge, it overturned on landing at Odiham, having lost the wingtip, and was initially Categorised as B, however it was recategorised E the following day, and written off on the 28th Oct 1941. Code confirmed via photograph. There's no code letter in the 540, which notes 'At approx 1700 hours, Tomahawk aircraft was noticed coming into land at high speed with half the port wing missing. Pilot attempted wheels down landing at about 160 mph, nosed over and half rolled to end up inverted. Category A. Examination of remnants revealed P/O Rogers with damaged face but walking. He explained damaged wing by having flown through by-pass bridge at Winchester with minus 3 feet to spare."

AH781 was used by a few Squadron's including 400 (coded SP-S) finally being lost when it crashed west of Wing after engine failure 11th Oct 1943, where it was burnt out. Uncertain if it was still part of 1684 BD Flt when lost or if on strength with 71MU (pretty sure it was still with the BD Flt thou). During its time on strength with the various units it suffered 3 accidents

Hope this clears the question up.

Buz

Re: Curtiss P-40, AH781 of 400 Sqn SP-F or S?
 

The Air-Britain serials book (2000 edition) says that AH781 was with 26 OTU when lost on 11 Oct 43.

Re: Curtiss P-40, AH781 of 400 Sqn SP-F or S?
 

Larry
We are all aware that Jim Halley made mistakes in his excellent Air Britain RAF serials booklets.
However you can at least quote what he says correctly.
If you look at AH781 he says it was w/o 11.10.1943 while what you state for AH781 is what he lists for AH851!
Both dates confirmed by others on this topic as correct.
I never met Jim but we exchanged some e-mails until he was beyond that and he had a great integrity.
I and many others owe him a lot!

B Rgds
Stig

Re: Curtiss P-40, AH781 of 400 Sqn SP-F or S?
 

I was using his old edition!

Forgive me!