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| USAAF 5th AF 35th FG 39th FS |
Aircraft History Built at Bell in Buffalo, New York at the cost of $48,673. On July 31, 1942 delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as P-39K-1-BE Airacobra serial number 42-4312. During August 1942, disassembled and shipped as cargo to the South Pacific (SOPAC) to Fiji and reassembled. Wartime History This Airacobra was briefly based in Fiji. Later, assigned to the 35th Fighter Group (35th FG), 39th Fighter Squadron (39th FS) based at from Narewa Airfield on Woodlark Island. No known nose art or nickname. Mission History On March 18, 1943 suffered a structural failure at Narewa Airfield causing the the nose wheel to collapse, killing Sgt. Frank H. Cranston who was completing a ground check on the plane. Wreckage The wreckage was converted to components and parts used as spares for other aircraft. Striped down to the fuselage and abandoned in the bone yard at Narewa Airfield. The fuselage had no engine, engine covers, cockpit doors or perspex in the canopy. Recovery During 1982, purchased and recovered by Robert Jarrett. Transported to Australia to the Classic Jets Museum. Restoration Restored for static display using the wings of P-39D 42-4368 to make a complete aircraft and displayed at Classic Jets Museum. References Joe Baugher "Bell P-39K Airacobra" Airacobra Advantage (1992) by Rick Mitchell mentions this aircraft Contribute
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