Aircraft History
Built by Curtiss in Buffalo, New York. Constructors Number 555. Delivered to the U. S. Army as serial number 41-5535. Disassembled and shipped overseas to Australia and reassembled.

Wartime History
During March 1942, delivered to the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) as Kittyhawk A29-48. Assigned to 75 Squadron on April 5, 1942. Tail code "Y". No known nickname or nose art.

Mission History
On May 2, 1942 took off from 12 Mile Drome (Berry) near Port Moresby at 7:30am as one of three P-40s led by FSgt Crawford to intercepted A6M2 Zeros from the Tainan Kokutai along with P-39 Airacobras from the 8th Fighter Group. During the air combat, Crawford, saw Munro's aircraft spinning and burning. This P-40 crashed, killing Munro.

Wreckage
After the crash, the wreckage of this P-40 was found by the Australian Army approximately 6 miles northwest of the aerodrome. The aircraft was positively identified by the U. S. Army serial number 41-5535 located on the airframe.

Recovery of Remains
After the crash, Munro's remains were recovered from the crash site and buried at Port Moresby (Bomana) War Cemetery.

Memorials
Munro was declared dead the day of the mission. He is buried at Port Moresby (Bomana) War Cemetery at B1. A. 4.

References
Other sources incorrectly state this Kittyhawk as lost over Turnbull Airfield at Milne Bay.
CWGC - Donald Whiteside Munro
Seek and Strike page 38
ADF Serials - P-40E Kittyhawk A29-48
Eagles of the Southern Sky page 56 incorrectly states this P-40 was nicknamed "Poison P"
RAAFDB - P-40E Kittyhawk A29-48
RAAFDB - Donald Whiteside Munro
Thanks ADF Serials / Gordon Birkett and Daniel Leahy for additional information

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Last Updated
February 4, 2018