Aircraft History
Built by Curtis, constructor number E11273. Allison engine serial number 41-36429 installed from P-40E 41-5620 as of 8 August 8, 1942. William F. Haning Jr. was assigned to P-40E 41-36157 as of same date.

Wartime History
This P-40 operated at Darwin, Port Moresby and Milne Bay .

Mission History
Took off on an escort mission protecting C-47 transports flying to Pongani Airfield. On the return flight, due to bad weather two P-40s piloted by Lt F. Finberg and this P-40 piloted by William Haning overshot Port Moresby. Low on fuel and lost, they force landed at Hood Point near Hula. On the ground, the Haning fired his guns to keep the locals away from the aicraft, because he fear it might catch fire after the landing. Unhurt, Haning returned to his squadron on November 22, 1942.

Wreckage
The wreckage remained 'in situ' until 1974.

Fuselage Recovery
Recovered with the premission of Bill Chapman (Air Museum of PNG), the fuselage section was recovered on November 8. 1974 by Monty Armstrong. It was arranged that the aircraft would go to the USA, to be restored by David Tallichet's company Yesterday's Air Force (today, MARC), and returned to Papua New Guinea. Only the fuselage was recovered during this effort.

The whereabouts of the fuselage are unknown, It was never returned to Papua New Guinea.

Charles Darby adds:
"Near the end of the 1974 Tallichet recovery operations, I visited Hula with Monty Armstrong to plan its recovery.  That appeared to be an easy task as the aircraft was in good condition, close to a road, and on flat grassland, hence I decided to go looking for a B-26 in the Northern District and left Monty to recover the P-40.  I never saw it again, and I returned to New Zealand soon thereafter. I am certain that the fuselage of 41-36166 was not in that shipment to Auckland, as I was present on the wharf when each container was first opened and took part in the immediate on-site unloading and steam-cleaning of all of their contents." [Read Complete Comments]

Wing Recovery
The wings were recovered by the Papua New Guinea Defense Force with S/L Eric Lundberg on behalf of the PNG National Museum on November 10, 1984. When lifted, 50 caliber shell cases were found underneath, from when Haning fired his guns on the ground.

Bruce Hoy recalls:
"Bill Chapman [Air Museum of Papua New Guinea] thought the entire aircraft had been recovered as part of the arrangement. He was aware of the fuselage coming into town, as his truck was used, and I saw it parked in his front yard. The engine was also recovered and was not intended to go to the States. However, the prop and spinner was subsequently removed (by Armstrong?) and I never saw them again. It wasn't until Lew Moderate who owned the farm asked him (Bill) when he was going to get the wings, that was when Bill learned that the complete aircraft had not been recovered. He subsequently enquired from Tallichet as to the whereabouts of the fuselage and was told it never turned up in California. Your guess where it did end up would be as good as mine. Perhaps the Land of the Long White Cloud? That is where a P-39 from the same era ended up, with Armstrong swearing black and blue that he had the rights to that one, but I never saw anything to that effect from Treasury files. If he applied for recovery rights, it was done so on behalf of Yesterdays Air Force, and in agreement with Chapman."

Wing Export
Displayed at the PNG Museum from November 1984 until circa 2001. During 2001, exported by Robert Greinert / HARS and shipped to Australia.

The wings went (unclear if sold, traded or 'donated') to Graham Smith in South Australia as the basis of a restoration project, or their disposition today.

Relatives
Bob Haning (2nd cousin)

References
Thanks to Bob Haning, Craig Busby, Charles Darby, Bruce Hoy and Michael Claringbould for information on this aircraft.
Protect & Avenge on page 88

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Last Updated
November 4, 2009

P-40

Photo Archive

Recovery Notes by Charles Darby

Research Notes by Craig Busby