Aircraft History
Built by Curtiss in Buffalo, New York. Delivered to the U. S. Army as P-40E-1 serial number 41-35945. Royal Air Force (RAF) serial number ET591. Disassembled and shipped overseas to Australia and reassembled.

Wartime History
Assigned to the 5th Air Force, 49th Fighter Group, 9th Fighter Squadron. Squadron Number 86 painted in white on the tail. Assigned to pilot Lt. Reynold with crew chief Sgt Barden. Nicknamed "Star Dust" with the nickname in quotations with the nose art of a five pointed star with smaller stars and lines radiating around it.

During May until early August 1942 this P-40 operated from Livingstone Field (34 Mile) south of Darwin. During early August 1942 at Charters Towers Airfield.

On August 8, 1942 assigned to the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) as Kittyhawk A29-136. Assigned to 75 Squadron. Assigned code "N" and retained the "Star Dust" nickname. This aircraft was often flown by F/O Bruce Watson.

Mission History
On February 6, 1943 took off on a training mission at night. While making practice attacks against U. S. ships off Green Island near Cairns. During the practice attack, this wingtip of this P-40 hit the surface of the sea and caused it to crash, breaking up on impact. The pilot, F/L John Walter Wedgwood Piper, 250828 was injured and later rescued and survived the crash.

References
Protect & Avenge pages 65 (photo) and 67 (photo)
ADF Serials - Kittyhawk A29-136
AWM Kittyhawks, Darwin (F01778) view of nose art "Star Dust" playback time: 1:01-1:15
World War Two Nominal Roll - John Walter Wedgwood Piper

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Last Updated
February 4, 2018