[Stig Jarlevik]

Hallo again

Craig (who is very much a P-40 expert) ID the aircraft as 42-46188! This is his answer.
Since I had tentatively captured the photo as taken on Midway his answer reflects that error.

I believe the caption may be in error as the 78th FS used #3xx numbers whilst on Midway, these later changing to #XX (two digit numbers – such as 42-46166 which departed Barking Sands, Hawaii marked as #355 and departed Midway back to Hawaii as #64) – I believe this aircraft is shown at either Haleiwa or Bellows Fld on Hawaii likely late 1943 or early 1944.

Looking at the serial I concur the last two digits could be 3, 6, 8, 9 or 0 – which gives us a choice of 25 airframes. Could just give you the serial, but here’s how I got there first……….

10 to Russia (all confirmed on Russian Delivery records – 46100. 46103, 46106, 46108, 46180, 46183, 46189, 46190, 46193 and 46199),

6 to Middle East for RAF (42-46109, 46130, 46133, 46136, 46138 and 46139)

3 to Alaska for USAAF (46-46160, 46163, 46169)

Leaves 6, of which I believe we can discount 42-46198 which is reported in both Hawaii and Russia, however Russian records show the engine no. fitted on the USAAF delivery records)

So that quick process of elimination leaves:
42-46166 – To Hawaii (78FS) marked as #64, previously #355
42-46168 – To Hawaii (78FS) marked as #11, previously #364
42-46186 – To Hawaii (78FS) marked as #33, previously #368
42-46188 – To Hawaii
42-46196 – To Hawaii

I had a play with the photo and I make the serial 42-46188, which I already had in my files as #223