1st Combat Mission of the AVG/Flying Tigers

[aaatripp]

Though the first combat mission flown by the AVG was the famous bomber intercept mission over Kunming, China on December 20, 1941 it should be known that Erik Shilling flew a combat reconassaince mission on Dec. 10, 1941. His photo P-40B (P-8153) was escorted by Ed Rector & Bert Christman, both Panda Bears of the 2nd Pursuit Squadron, commanded by "Scarsdale Jack" Newkirk. Shilling was temporarily assigned to the 2nd Squadron, but later was re-assigned to the 3rd Sqdn under Arvid "Oli" Olson.

This 850-mile (roundtrip) mission was to Bangkok, Thailand to photograph the Japanese aircraft assembled at Dong Moung airport. Shilling was told by Chennault to avoid combat, if possible, due to the priority of returning those films! The mission was a success and was well organized as they refueled first at the RAF airfield at Tavoy. A mere 20 minutes after they took off from this field it was bombed and strafed by the Japanese with loss of RAF lives. The films revealed 92 a/c parked wingtip to wingtip. No doubt there were additional a/c in hangars and at nearby airfields. Chennault now had a better idea of the large Japanese air armada which the AVG would be facing as it defended Burma.

Tripp Alyn, chair
Historical & Museums Committee
Flying Tigers Association

[aaatripp]

The medium bombers intended for the 2nd American Volunteer Group never made it to Burma as they were enroute, loaded aboard ship, when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. The force was diverted to Australia and the airmen were re-inducted into the US Army Air Corps. These bombers would have permitted Chennault to carry out offensive operations against the Japanese and the a/c lined up in Bangkok to pre-empt their coming attacks on Rangoon.

The P-40Bs of the AVG were only capable of Pursuit/intercept missions. The P-40Es with bomb racks were not available until they were ferried in from Africa in spring '42.

Tripp

[GuerraCivil]

A question regarding the P-40 of Flying Tigers:
- there is some dispute whether they were P-40B or P-40C. The "Hawk 81-A-2" or "Tomahawk II" can mean both. Most sources seem to agree that they were P-40C, but anyway they were Hawk 81 and Tomahawks. Difference with P40B must have been minimal. So practically P40C was the same plane as P40B?

Originally Posted by GuerraCivil

A question regarding the P-40 of Flying Tigers:
- there is some dispute whether they were P-40B or P-40C. The "Hawk 81-A-2" or "Tomahawk II" can mean both. Most sources seem to agree that they were P-40C, but anyway they were Hawk 81 and Tomahawks. Difference with P40B must have been minimal. So practically P40C was the same plane as P40B?

I would say so!

[aaatripp]

Great question GuerraCivil:

They were P-40Bs destined originally for the French, then the English in an order dating back to before the fall of France in the spring of 1940.

Since the a/c were indeed modified once they reached Burma, many historians refer to this modified P-40B as a "C model" since it was clearly different from the B model. Some of the modifications were:

1. Robert M. Smith, HQ Communications personnel, was small in stature and spent much time installing civilian aviation radios into the cramped rear storage compartment in those searing hot tropical temperatures.
2. Armorers fashioned a bomb rack on some of the a/c. Chuck Baisden would be the best source on this for the 3rd Squadron.
3. Charlie Mott developed an electrical or optical gunsight to augment or
replace the iron ring sights.

No doubt Walter Pentecost of CAMCO would have been involved, to some extent, in these modifications.

Thanks for your interest in the AVG. We welcome additional information from Forum members....please respond.

Tripp

Tripp Alyn, chair
Historical & Museums Committee
Flying Tigers Association

[GuerraCivil]

Are there any surviving examples of Tomahawk / Hawk 81-A-2 / P-40 C ?

[GuerraCivil]

Answering to my own question. A friend of mine found this concerning the surviving/rebuilt Tomahawks: http://www.warbirdforum.com/tommi.htm

[aaatripp]

The AVG P-40 of John Ed Blackburn III (from Amarillo, Texas) which crashed in Dianchi Lake, Kunming on 28 April 42 may someday be recovered. This would be a gem for all fanciers of the AVG P-40B aircraft. It has been buried in the lake mud for 73 years.....

BTW, Chuck Baisden, 3rd Sqdn armorer, was commended for his skills and efforts to modify the P-40Bs and fit them with a bomb rack.