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  P-39D-1-BE Airacobra Serial Number 41-38402  
USAAF
5th AF
35th FG
41st FS

Pilot  2nd Lt Richard D. Kimball, O-661329 (survived)
Crashed  April 12, 1943
MACR  none

Aircraft History
Built by Bell in Buffalo, New York. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as P-39D-1-BE Airacobra serial number 41-38402. Disassembled and shipped overseas to Australia and reassembled.

Wartime History
Assigned to the 5th Air Force (5th AF), 35th Fighter Group (35th FG), 41st Fighter Squadron (41st FS) "The Flying Buzzsaws". No known nose art or nickname.

Mission History
On April 12, 1943 took off from Port Moresby piloted by 2nd Lt Richard D. Kimball to intercept Japanese aircraft. North of Port Moresby, shot down. Kimball managed to bail out and when he landed became tangled in a tree, until locals came to his aid. He returned to his squadron eight days later.

Fighter Cover May 16, 1943 issue:
"On landing, his parachute became tangled in a tree, and he hung there, trapped and helpless until friendly natives came to his rescue. For eight days, he walked up and down the mountains, guided by the natives who made it a practice not to follow along streams or level terrain."

Memorials
Kimball passed away on July 25, 1977 at age 56. He is buried at Lakeview Cemetery in Eastport, MI.

References
NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Richard D. Kimball
USAF Serial Number Search Results - P-39D-1-BE Airacobra 41-38402
PNG Museum Aircraft Status Card - P-39D Airacobra 42-38402
41st FS History
"Fighter Cover" May 16, 1943 issue includes an account of Kimball's bail out and return to duty
Last Major Japanese Air Raid Over Port Moresby Operation I-Go: April 12, 1943

FindAGrave - Richard D Kimball (grave photo)

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Last Updated
May 13, 2022

 

Tech Info
P-39
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