Aircraft History
USAAF Serial Number 40-663, shipped to the RAAF in Australia. On April 10, 1942 recieved at Archerfield Airfield and assigned to RAAF 75 Squadron during April 1942. with code T. Operated from 7-Mile Drome in defense of Port Moresby, flow by F/Sgt Robert William Crawford.

Mission History
Took off from 7-Mile Drome to patrol the area with another P-40E piloted by F/L Les Jackson. While over 7-Mile, around noon, a Japanese air raid commenced. Both P-40s were at 5,000' and dived to assist a B-26 "Hell's Angel" 40-1428 being attacked by A6M2 Zeros. Their attack forced away the Zeros, but one turned onto Crawford's tail ad damaged the fuel tank and port rudder, forcing him to ditch in the sea. The P-40 bounced three times before finally sinking in roughly six feet of water.

Crawford was slightly wounded, including a severed throat mic, but survived and was able to free himself from the wreckage. Later that day, a launch arrived to rescue him.

References
Seek and Strike page 38
Revenge of the Red Raiders page 81 states: "the Zeros nailed one of the Kittyhawks, causing it to ditch in the bay near the shore without serious injuries to the pilot."
ADF Serials states this P-40 was shot down taking off after refueling

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Last Updated
October 1, 2009

P-40