USAAF
5th AF
8th FG
80th FS
1972 via Aerothentic
Justin Taylan 2006
Pilot Lt. Charles
Faletta
Force
landed May
1, 1942
Aircraft History
Nicknamed "Erminie".
Mission History
One of six P-39s that took off from Antill Plains near Townsville for Port Moresby. After refuelling at Cooktown Airfield, they ran into a heavy
storm near Horn Island, where they were to refuel again. As four of the pilots were inexperienced in instrument flying, Lieutenant Charles Falletta decided to lead the group towards the mainland to find a suitable place to land.
Lt. Faletta and his wingman Walter Harvey, flying P-39 41-7215 became lost in thick clouds, and crash landed in thick jungle, 13-16 kilometers inland from Cape Orford Ness, near the Escape River, at the top of Cape York Peninsula.
Faletta managed to make a wheels down landing. The other four Airacobras force landed on the beach. Falletta and Harvey made a two day trek to the nearest beach, where they were eventually rescued.
Wreckage
The wreckage was rediscovered in 1959 by an ANA pilot, Percy Tresize. Ian Mullins, Elton and James were the first to walk to the wreck in 1961. They discovered it perfectly intact, even the log book still inside the data case, which was sent to the US embassy in Canberra.
Recovery
Recovered from the crash site in 1972 by CART (Cairns Aircraft Recovery Team). Acquired by Syd Beck and restored to static display over the rest of the 1970s.
Display
Display at The Beck Museum near Mareeba.
References
"Jardine Jaunt", pages 85-145 by Ian Mullins tells the story of his discovery of the wreck in 1959. Aircobra Advantage also mentions this aircraft's history. Thanks to Ian Mullins for additional information.
P-39
