DONE: Finished Kittyhawk IV -Curtiss P-40N RAAF 76 Sqn G-SV A29-1140 Group Build

[Airframes]

Wow! The wonders of modern science! Electric sandpaper I'll be blowed! Beats the h*ll out of lots of rubbing, I bet!

[Wayne Little]

..

[Njaco]

Don't know how I missed this build! Oz, that cocpit and exhaust work are wonderful!

[ozhawk40]

Research update:

I have received through the kind help of a fellow aussie p-40 expert (A big thanks if he is reading this!), a high res version of the picture I have posted and another has come to light, which I have been able to view.

At the time of the crash 1140 was definitely coded I-SV, not G-SV. Not saying the decals are wrong at this stage as it looks like (to me anyway) that the code has been changed at some point.

Also there was a painted name above the panther head art work which is not on the decal sheet - this may also have been added later and I am still seeking input into the exact name.

Have found more detail regarding pilot, missions flown and 76 squadron activities, which I will share in another update.

Cheers

Ozhawk40

[ozhawk40]

To keep you p-40 lovers happy, here are some photos of another unfortunate event that befell A29-1190, a sister ship to a29-1140. Point to note is the point. Clearly has a natural metal spinner cap. Photos courtesy of the National Australian Archives.

ozhawk40

[Airframes]

Great pics ther Peter. The guy pulled off a neat belly landing for sure.

[ozhawk40]

Nope, he didn't.

It was supposed to be a "regular" landing.

(you will note the skid marks on the tarmac - which means the dunlops were well and truly dangled!)


As they say - any landing you walk away from.....

[Catch22]

Now you have me wanting to do a RAAF P-40!

[Wurger]

Cool stuff here and nice progress to the P-40.

[Airframes]

Oh! Thanks for the explanation Peter! I'd noticed the rubber on the runway, and assumed he'd suffered a collapsed undercart. Toes on the brakes, wheels locked on contact, bendy bend of the gear legs, locking pins shear, and...crunch! Am I right?
So, one massive bollocking and a red mark in the book! Still neat though, unless the prop hitting the deck shock loaded the engine of course.

[ozhawk40]

Airframes

Your analysis is almost spot on. Landing was judged "Heavy", shearing the u/c links. I could post the pilots explanation (a bit of a scream) and the findings, but the pictures tell the story.

Sparks from the tortured metal set the rudder fabric on fire! Ahh, the spectacle of it all!!

cheers

ozhawk40

[javlin]

Sparks from the tortured metal set the rudder fabric on fire! Ahh, the spectacle of it all!!

That was the first thing I noticed and was thinking how in the hell did he bring it in?fire explains alot.Kevin

[109ROAMING]

Quick! somebody get that P-40 a restoration team! those pics are killer mate

Models coming alongwell!

[Wildcat]

Great pics Pete! Thanks for sharing.

[Wayne Little]

Excellent pics! thanks....