USAAF
5th AF
35th FG
39th FS
via WRG 2001
Aircraft History
Built at Bell in Buffalo, New York. Delivered to the US Army, July 31, 1942,
at the cost of $48,673. Shipped to Australia in
August. Later based in Fiji breifly.
Served with the 39th FS, at Narewa
Airfield on Woodlark
Island.
Wartime History
On March 18, 1943 this P-39 suffered a stuctural failure at Narewa.
Most likely, the nose wheel of the plane collapsed, killing Sgt.
Frank H. Cranston who was completing a ground check on the plane.
The wreckage was converted to components and parts used as spares
for other aircraft at the base. At the end of the war, only
the fuselage remained.
Recovery
Purchased and recovered by Robert
Jarrett in
1982. The wreck had no engine, glass
or doors, or engine covers.
Restoration
The aircraft was restored for static display at the Classic
Jets Museum.
It uses the wings of P-39D 42-4368 for display purposes
to make a coplete
aircraft.
References
Aircobra Advantage,
by Rick Mitchell
P-39
