Aircraft History
Built by Curtiss in Buffalo, New York. Delivered to the U. S. Army as serial number 41-5538. Disassembled and shipped overseas to Australia and reassembled.

Wartime History
Assigned to the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) during March 1942. Assigned to 75 Squadron coded M. Often flown by F/L Les Jackson. Nicknamed "Shuftie" (Egyptian for 'hurry up") in white on the cowling by Les Jackson.

On April 2, 1942 departed Archerfield Airfield near Brisbane on a ferry flight northward to 7-Mile Drome near Port Moresby. Flown in defense of Port Moresby. Photographed by Damian Parer during August 1942.

Afterwards, assigned to 5 AD on August 31, 1942. Then to 2 OTU on October 25, 1943.

Mission History
On December 3, 1943 while circling another P-40 that had crashed, this aircraft crashed eight miles west of Mildura, killing pilot King.

Memorials
King is buried at Mildura Cemetery at plot C, row B, grave 2

References
CWGC - William John King
ADF Serials - Kittyhawk A29-41

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Last Updated
February 4, 2018