Aircraft History
Built by Bell in Buffalo, New York. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as P-39Q-5-BE Airacobra serial number unknown. Disassembled and shipped overseas and reassembled.

Wartime History
Assigned to the 5th Air Force, 71st Tactical Reconnaissance Group, 82nd Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron on November 24, 1943. No known nose art or nickname.

Mission History
On March 1, 1944 took off from Horanda Airfield near Dobodura on a strafing mission against Japanese barges in Prinz Heinrich Harbor north of Madang Harbor and northeast of Madang Airfield. After completing a strafing run, this Airacobra was thought to have received a direct hit from anti-aircraft fire. Fellow pilots observed it to speed stall into trees and explode on impact.

References
PNG Museum Aircraft Status Card - P-39Q Airacobra piloted by Graham
M/Sgt. W.E. Ursprung Jounral March 1, 1944 "Lt. Graham crashed near Saidor [sic] while strafing barges."
NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records Graham, Delta C. Jr.

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Last Updated
April 25, 2018