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  F4U-1D Corsair Serial Number NZ5400  
RNZAF
No. 20 Squadron

Pilot  F/Sgt Ronald Ernest Hallett, 4215864 (MIA / KIA) Hawkes Bay, NZ
MIA  February 3, 1945 at 10:15am

Aircraft History
Built by Vought. Constructor number 5894. Delivered to the U.S. Navy (USN) as F4U-1D Corsair bureau number 50647. Disassembled and loaded as cargo aboard USS Kwajalein (CVE-98). On July 19, 1944 departed the United States as part of defense aid to New Zealand.

Wartime History
Assigned to the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) as Corsair Serial Number NZ5400. Reassembled on Espiritu Santo by Unit 60 and remained until August 1944. During February 1945 assigned to No. 20 Squadron. No known squadron code, nickname or nose art.

Mission History
On February 3, 1945 took off from Piva Airfield (Piva Yoke) on Bougainville piloted by F/Sgt Ronald E. Hallett on a combat mission. During a strafing run at approximately 10:15am, this Corsair crashed into the sea near Shortland Island and exploded on impact. When this aircraft failed to return it was officially declared Missing In Action (MIA).

Memorials
Hallett was officially declared dead the day of the mission. He is memorialized at Bourail New Zealand War Cemetery on the Bourail Memorial on panel 6.

Relatives
Are you a relative of Hallett? Or flew this mission? Contact us.

References
Navy Serial Number Search Results - F4U-1D Corsair 50647
"50647 (MSN 5894) to New Zealand as NZ5400"
ADF Serials - NZ Serials NZ5400
CWGC - Ronald Ernest Hallett
FindAGrave - Ronald Ernest Hallett (photo)

Contribute Information
Are you a relative or associated with any person mentioned?
Do you have photos or additional information to add?

Last Updated
July 31, 2023

Tech Info
F4U

POW
MIA
1 Missing
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