P-40B in RYAF service?

[yasig]

Hi,

This post belongs partialy to "What If ?" subject, but story was true and i need some additional info.
Kingdom of Yugoslavia ordered some 35-40 P-40B fighters from USA. These planes were built and loaded at the ship to be delivered to Yugoslavia, at early april 1941.
In same time, Germany attacked Yugoslavia and there are no reason to be delivered and planes were shiped to UK, to join RAF.
So, i'm interested in few things:
Possible RAF serials and Curtiss C/N for these planes
RAF unit where they serve
Possible VVS use of this planes after the RAF
and finaly, as BF109E and Hurricanes delivered to Yugoslavia wears Kossovo Cross insignia painted in factory, during the plane production, there should be similar case and they could be allready matrked prior delivery.
Any clue, data, source info ,etc?

Thanx and regards,
Nenad/Yasig/Aeropoxy/Supercuber

[Buz]

Yasig

the Aircraft you talk about are P-40C's and were not new build but second hand aircraft from US stocks, having been built during march and April 1941. These aircraft were serialed as follows:

41-13389
41-13390
41-13396
41-13397
41-13398
41-13399
41-13400
41-13401
41-13406
41-13407

These aircraft although shipped to the RAF against contract BSC1016 (ref "The British Air Commison and Lend Lease - Air Britain") but did not serve with any RAF units due to the late nature of their arrival in the UK (approx Jul or Aug 1941) and were forwarded to the VVS.

One aircraft still exists today having flown with 77PS then to 147IAP and 20th GIAP with the VVS. It was shot down in the Murmashi area after combat with German fighters. This aircraft is 41-13390 and is airworthy in the US.

As for markings it would be doubtful that the aircraft wore RYAF markings due to them being ex USAAC aircraft. IIIRC they actually found the markings of 77PS when they restored 41-13390.

Hope this helps a little

Buz

[yasig]

Thanx Buz,
Fast and exact info, i'll try to search more for VVS part of story,
Thanx again, RGDS
YASIG

[kurlannaiskos]

you can read about it and see some photos here.

http://lend-lease.airforce.ru/englis...very/index.htm

[yasig]

Thanx Kurlannaiskos and just one question to Bob.
I'm interested for the source(book/site/archive) of serials you listed , just for my refference and to try to locate and bought this book.
RGDS,
YASIG

[kurlannaiskos]

it might be from :

"Air Arsenal North America"
aircraft for the allies 1938-1945
purchases and lend-lease
by Phil Butler and Dan Hagedorn
Midland publishing
(Ian Allan Publishing Ltd.)
ISBN 1-85780-163-6

and if it isn't I would recommend the book anyway

[yasig]

Thanx Kurlannaiskos,
RGDS
YASIG

[Buz]

Yasig

My reference for this material was

The British Air Commission and Lend Lease Compliled by K.J.Meekcoms book by Air Britain ISBN 0-85130-291-2 and additonally the IRC for each aircraft which are available from AFHRC at Maxwel AFB

Buz

[yasig]

Thank you Buz,
i'l try to search for this publication at Amazon or Ebay,
regards
Yasig