Anyone have a P-43 pilot report?

[bdk]

I wonder how these flew compared to the P-35 and the P-47.

[tom d. friedman]

i think the chinese used them most extensively than any of the war participants. it's common knowledge that the p-43 was passed off to what was considered 2nd rate areas of operation.

[bdk]

i think the chinese used them most extensively than any of the war participants. it's common knowledge that the p-43 was passed off to what was considered 2nd rate areas of operation.

Due to obsolescence or due to handling qualities?

[tom d. friedman]

just poor performance over all. i'm sure it operated marginally, just another cast off to the 2nd front.

[AviaS199]

Over on Dan Ford's site, Richard Dunn posted this article, which seems pretty authoritative.

Ford also posted Dunn's article about the P-66 Vanguard. Also seems pretty thorough.

Last edited by AviaS199 on Sun Mar 09, 2008 8:01 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[bdk]

Well, that will give me a good bit of reading to do on the subject Avia, thanks!

What I'm looking for isn't so much the history of the P-43 and it's operational success, but how it flew from a pilot's perspective. Did it fly like the P-35?

[bdk]

Anyone ever seen a pilot's operating handbook/flight manual for a P-43? Drawings available from Smithsonian?

[JDK]

What I'm looking for isn't so much the history of the P-43 and it's operational success, but how it flew from a pilot's perspective. Did it fly like the P-35?

Australia briefly operated a few (and rumour has it there's wreckage around). I'll see if I can dig anything up - that's data, not wreckage. Wouldn't want to get my hands dirty...

[Matt]

The rumour's certainly true on this one James, as there are some decent chunks of wreckage surviving from the P-43, A56-7, that crashed near Healesville. I wouldn't worry about getting the hands dirty because this site was picked clean many years ago. I have seen some of the parts, and they are in quite good condition, however no restoration of any kind is planned for the time being.

BDK, hello and apologies for not having maintained better contact since I saw you there at Chino back in '06. Hope all is well with yourself and your family, and that the T-6 is making steady progress.

Cheers,
Matt

What I'm looking for isn't so much the history of the P-43 and it's operational success, but how it flew from a pilot's perspective. Did it fly like the P-35?

Australia briefly operated a few (and rumour has it there's wreckage around). I'll see if I can dig anything up - that's data, not wreckage. Wouldn't want to get my hands dirty...

[Glyn]

Anyone ever seen a pilot's operating handbook/flight manual for a P-43? Drawings available from Smithsonian?

I have (on CD) the Handbook of Operating and Flight Instruction for the following:
YRP-43, RP-43 & P-43A dated February 1942.
P-43A-1 dated February 1942.
YP-43, RP-43 & P-43A dated January 1942.

The CD was compiled in New Zealand by a firm called
www.flight-manuals-manuals-on-cd ltd and they have a wide range of FMs for sale - in fact I have most of them!

Hope this helps!

[mike furline]

Chinese P-43's & American P-66's in China.

[Nathan]

Hi Mike,

Thanks for the photos. Where are they from? It is interesting to note the P-66's in U.S. markings. Just read an article the other week about Chinese P-43's and P-66's. Being interested in early war aircraft I find it very exciting! There is another thread going about it.

Thanks,
Nathan