One more Kittyhawk in Desert

[kaki3152]

Here's one with a almost invisible code. The second letter looks like "K" but I'm not sure.

[Alex Smart]

Hello,
Wide white stripe on tail insignia so an early US aircraft. Tomahawk or Kittyhawk ?
Codes could perhaps be any of the following.
1 SAAF = AX-A
2 SAAF = TA-A or DB-A
3 SAAF = CA-A
4 SAAF = DX-A or KJ-A
5 SAAF = GL-A
3 RAAF = CV-A
450 RAAF = OK-A
112 RAF = GA-A
213 RAF = AK-A
250 RAF = LD-A
260 RAF = HS-A
Alex

[Buz]

The aircraft seems to be a Kittyhawk I (not a Lend Lease aircraft). From Alex's codes above we can discount 1SAAF, 3SAAF, and 213 due to being on a different type. Additionally we can discount 2SAAF (only TA codes), 4 SAAF (only DX codes).
Base on the angles of the 2nd letter really only leaves 450SQN and 3 RAAF.

Based solely on the type (Kittyhawk I rather than a P-40E-1) 450SQN had 5 different aircraft with codes of OK-A and 3RAAF had 4 Different aircraft with codes of CV-A. Will look and see if I have a loss that could match this aircraft

Regards

Buz

[kaki3152]

Thanks Buz

[rpeck350]

To me the letter on the left of the roundel is a 'V'.
Also I think it is a Kittyhawk also as the nose shape looks like it and has early exhaust stacks.
P-40E/Kittyhawk it looks like to me but which variant I'm not sure.
Rick

[SMF144]

The spinner appears to be two-tone (red tip?); another clue.

[kaki3152]

Rick-a "V" could provide a clue to the A/C being from 3 RAAF.

The spinner color could be a personal marking and not a Squadron emblem.

[Doug Norrie]

Personally I think the a/c is from 3RAAF, the part code letter looks like a 'V'.

As for 450 Sqn RAAF Mark 1 losses (OK-A) I have:
AK805 lost on 27/7/42. Shot down Cat.III
AK842 lost on 19/5/42. Forced landed. Shot up by Bf 109s and burnt out.

Fin flash indicates time period up to August 1942.
Doug

[Alex Smart]

Hello,
From 3 RAAF ORB the squadron received its first two Tomahawks on the 14th May 1941. By the 20th seven a/c had been received but of these two had already been damaged in training along with the Gauntlet that was used to give the newer pilots experience as they had not flown for up to five months before joining the squadron.
Dates,events,a/c serial numbers, Pilots names all given but can see no indevidual a/c in squadron letters mentioned.

31 Kittyhawks with the squadron 20/22 December 1941.

Just for interest.
Alex

[Buz]

Gents

The Spinner can seem to be two tone in certain filters/film types, so maybe not the clue people think. I'm leaning towards it being a 3RAAF aircraft.

At the moment its looking a good match for AK688, which was force landed on the 13th Apr. This would fit with markings, codes etc....

Buz