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
Last edited by H-87A-2CU; 7th December 2022 at 09:11.
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