Kittyhawk Found in Sahara

[ahafan]

Originally Posted by Larry

I look forward to the Libyan's transporting it to the Uk as a gift (to say thanks to the modern RAF for helping in their fight for freedom) and seeing it being resored to flying condition at Duxford.

in our Dreams;

[DaveM2]

Originally Posted by Larry

I look forward to the Libyan's transporting it to the Uk as a gift (to say thanks to the modern RAF for helping in their fight for freedom) and seeing it being resored to flying condition at Duxford.

Since it belongs to the Egyptians that probably won't happen. And heaven forbid it is 'restored'

Dave

[ahafan]

Originally Posted by Doug Norrie

In photo 10 of the picasaweb series of pictures it clearly shows the ref. H-87A-3 stamped in the wing and a part no. starting with 87....which would in indicate it was one of 540 Kittyhawks produced with the a/c serials in my previous thread. According to 'Curtiss Fighter Aircraft 1917-1948' by Francis Dean and Dan Hagedorn, page 294, the 540 aircraft were bought by the British government in Contract A-1835 commencing with AK591, before Lend Lease took effect.

The pipe type exhausts indicate an early model Kittyhawk, Mk I or IA.

Looking through my Air Britain serials book (through the 540 a/c), assuming it is a 260 Sqd a/c, I could see only two possibles that could be considered:
AL134 lost on 7.9.1942
AK693 lost on 16.5.1942

If someone could check the 260 Sqd RAF ORB there may be some clues from the above dates.

I look forward to seeing if anyone can add any further info to what I have put forward.

Doug

Hello
excuse me but nearly a month and no ONE-as ID who it belong too.
just the 2-what about engine changes etc serial numbers.
im not tryin to start a war' but for one P40 found its takin a long time to ID the pilot.
sharon

[paulmcmillan]

Originally Posted by ahafan

Hello
excuse me but nearly a month and no ONE-as ID who it belong too.
just the 2-what about engine changes etc serial numbers.
im not tryin to start a war' but for one P40 found its takin a long time to ID the pilot.
sharon

Sharon

This aircraft is in the middle of no where.. Was found by people with no knowledge of aircraft serial numbers or construction numbers or how to find these experts initially (someone got his mate to post the first pictures on his modelling site probably because he was the only person he knew with an interest in aircraft - looking at the friends models he appears more interested in concept flying models anyway) and with no visible ID on it other than HS-B (and the 'B' only came later) - we will have to wait until the site is visited by people who know what to look for

People have a suspect ID, but it is only that..

Paul

[markjsheppard]

Sharon,

As Paul said, it is not as though you can just pop down the road to have a look. It is in the middle of Egypt, you need a vehicle, drivers and escorts. These guys are workers, not tourists and don't work 9-5, 5 days a week.

One month! Considering the 'news' on the web is only 2 weeks old, I think we have a staggering amount of information. 15 years ago the news would be trickling through about some plane with roundels found in the desert and would have taken 6 months to get to where we are now!

The ID is at the top of a list of very important questions/requests. If I asked you if you could tell me the engine number on a Ford Focus with number plate AF54 RFS located on the Shetlands, how long would it take you to get it to me?

It is frustrating (you have no idea) as there is a lot wanting to confirm the identity and status of the pilot above anything else!

Yours frustrated

Mark

[Empiricist]

Originally Posted by paulmcmillan

This aircraft is in the middle of no where

Not "in the middle of no where" but in the El-Wahat el-Bahariya region.

[paulmcmillan]

[html]

[/html]

Originally Posted by Doug Norrie

In photo 10 of the picasaweb series of pictures it clearly shows the ref. H-87A-3 stamped in the wing and a part no. starting with 87....which would in indicate it was one of 540 Kittyhawks produced with the a/c serials in my previous thread. According to 'Curtiss Fighter Aircraft 1917-1948' by Francis Dean and Dan Hagedorn, page 294, the 540 aircraft were bought by the British government in Contract A-1835 commencing with AK591, before Lend Lease took effect.

The pipe type exhausts indicate an early model Kittyhawk, Mk I or IA.

Looking through my Air Britain serials book (through the 540 a/c), assuming it is a 260 Sqd a/c, I could see only two possibles that could be considered:
AL134 lost on 7.9.1942
AK693 lost on 16.5.1942

If someone could check the 260 Sqd RAF ORB there may be some clues from the above dates.

I look forward to seeing if anyone can add any further info to what I have put forward.

Doug

Doug

I have AK951 AK999 C/N 18695 18743 as H87-A2 (Kittyhawk I) and AL100 AL230 C/N 18744 18874 as H87-A2 (Kittyhawk I) not not H-87A-3

ET100 ET519 C/N 19287 19706, USAAF 41-24776 41-25195 as H87-A3 P-40E-1 (Kittyhawk IA) and ET520 EV699 C/N 19707 20786 USAAF 41-35874 41-36953 as H87-A3 P-40E-1 (Kittyhawk IA)

- Also one of the worlds best P-40 experts has tentively identified its a P-40E CU-1 subtype which is a H87-A3

[ahafan]

Hi.
looks like the MOD are gettin there hands dirty..an some have reported it his coming here home..the pilot ID his coppin''Flak damage? daily telegrapth. says.
sharon

[Buz]

Originally Posted by ahafan

Hi.
looks like the MOD are gettin there hands dirty..an some have reported it his coming here home..the pilot ID his coppin''Flak damage? daily telegrapth. says.
sharon

Hi Sharon

Apart from a lovely story, the only piece of good information in the story is that the aircraft was found. AFAIK it still hasn't been identified as Copping's aircraft (although many know it is - even missing that one small part called a serial number...but hey let not facts get in the way).

I would love this to be confirmed as Copping's aircraft, and that a search of the surrounding area located and gave FSGT Copping his final resting place amongst other Allied Members.

Buz

[ahafan]

Originally Posted by Buz

Hi Sharon

Apart from a lovely story, the only piece of good information in the story is that the aircraft was found. AFAIK it still hasn't been identified as Copping's aircraft (although many know it is - even missing that one small part called a serial number...but hey let not facts get in the way).

I would love this to be confirmed as Copping's aircraft, and that a search of the surrounding area located and gave FSGT Copping his final resting place amongst other Allied Members.

Buz

yes great ..one thing there are bullit holes..and flak? .was he flying on a solo combat mission..if he was with his flight? then why didnt he stay with them;? ferry flight.-

sharon