USAAF
5th AF
49th FG
7th FS
Charles Darby 1974
Daniel Leahy 2004
Pilot Lt. Robert Warren
Aircraft History
This aircraft was originally intended for delivery to Chinese
Air Force, and had Nationalist Chinese markings applied in the factory. Instead, it was pressed into service with the 5th Air Force.
Wartime History
Abandoned at Tadji Airfield
after WWII.
Recovery
Recovered in 1974 by Charles
Darby and taken to Lae. From there, Monty Armstrong brought it to
Auckland, New Zealand and then sold it in Australia. Displayed at a
variety of locations over the years in both private collections and
briefly at the RAAF Museum
Restoration
Purchased from Jack McDonald by Murry Griffith in 1997. Restored
in Australia on the Gold Coast and several different
companies and people over the years, including Ron Lee.
Flying Status
Returned to flying status in
2002. Displayed at Precision
Aerospace / Pacific Fighters Museum and
listed on the Australian civilian register as VH-KTI. It is currently
the only flying P-40 in Australia.
Former Pilot Visits
In Septeber 2005, former pilot Robert Warren visited his P-40 at Wangaretta,
and was covered on Australian television news.
References
Pacific
Aircraft Wrecks page 43 (lower), 57 (upper)
P-40
