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  P-63C-5-BE Kingcobra Serial Number 44-4315  
VSS
307 IAP or 308 IAP

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Peter Arnold 2003

Aircraft History
Built by Bell in Buffalo, NY. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as P-63C-5-BE Kingcobra serial number 44-4315. Ferried via Buffalo across the United States and Canada to Alaska as part of lend-lease to the Soviet Union.

Wartime History
Assigned to the Voenno-Vozdushnye Sily (VSS) and flown from Alaska to Siberia via the ALSIB (Alaska-Siberia) air route. Assigned to either the 307 IAP (307 Aviation Regiment) or 308 IAP (308 Aviation Regiment). No known markings or tail code. During August 1945, used during the Soviet Soviet "August Storm" offensive against the Japanese. Postwar, remained in service with the Soviet Pacific Fleet. In the early 1950s, abandoned in the Kurile Islands.

Wreckage
This Kingcobra was abandoned in the Kurile Islands likely at Kataoka Airfield on Shumshu Island. During 2003, this Kingcobra was one of six recovered by the Hunt brothers and shipped to the United Kingdom.

Salvaged
During 2003, this Kingcobra was one of six recovered by the Hunt brothers and shipped to the United Kingdom.

Peter Arnold adds:
"Typically ‘bruised’ by nearly 60 years of exposure to the elements, passing ‘militia’ and local peasants salvaging fittings, the aircraft however had been parked on their undercarriage, and are not crash remains. Professionally dismantled in Russia, strategic heavy components are in remarkably good condition and the structures bode well for future restoration to quality static or flight status. One airframe is earmarked for a proposed local museum and the others will be placed on the warbird market in due course."

During March 2004, at Redhill Aerodrome in South Nutfield, Redhill, United Kingdom.

References
USAF Serial Number Search Results - P-63C-5-BE Kingcobra 44-4315
"4315 is one of 4 P-63s reported as having been imported early 2003 into England from Russia, apparently having been found abandoned on an old airfield in the Kuriles. Noted at Redhill, England Mar 2004."
Thanks to Daniel Hunt and Peter Arnold for additional information

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Last Updated
March 16, 2023

 

Tech Info
P-63
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