P-40 Found in Sahara - Current Disposition?

[Dan Jones]

Does anyone know the current disposition of the P-40E recently found in the Sahara, and whether or not the pilot has been found?

[Wildchild]

I believe they found the pilot, but i'm not sure what has happened to the airplane

[hang the expense]

I'm affraid nothing good with all that has been going on there lately.I dont know if the bird was removed before it all went to h e l l.

[DaveM2]

Positive on the aircraft front. Confusing on the pilot front.....

[Rob Mears]

Last I read the Egyptians had begun regularly hauling tourists out there to visit the site. Considering that, plus the current state of political affairs there and I imagine folks should probably not be getting their hopes up about this plane being recovered in any condition resembling that in which it was discovered, if at all. Enjoy the original photos!

[airmanual]

My understanding is:

- The pilot remains may have been found. A "bone specialist" (sorry i forgot the scientific name) will examine the remains to confirm if we have a match.

- The plane has been dismantled and removed from the crash site.

Laurent

[Richard W.]

One newspaper said that the a/c was going to the war memorial in Tobruk and another said it would be going to the RAF museum in England.

Anyone know which is correct?

[Steve Nelson]

Since it was found in Egypt, I doubt it would go to Tobruk.

SN

[gary1954]

probably in the same condition now as the LBG

[peter]

Due to the sensitive nature of it this is why details are sketchy but I have been assured that the p40 was carefully disassembled as per factory manuals etc and is stored pending a decision on her future.. as for the pilot I hope now that the airframe is secure.. all efforts can be focused on his recovery and that he can be given a proper burial!

[Richard W.]

Since it was found in Egypt, I doubt it would go to Tobruk.

SN

I was mistaken about Tobruk. It's the war memorial museum at El-Alamein.

http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/9/44/48611/Heritage/Museums/WWIIera-plane-found-in-Egyptian-desert-en-route-to.aspx

[Ken]

Enjoy the original photos!

Sad but true. Glad that digital photography was available. Wish things had turned out differently, but this was not to be - we'll have to move on from where we stand. I suspect historians & modelers will still gain a lot of insight into the little details between photos and what's left by the time it goes on display.

This reminds me - I've seen the same Lady Be Good photos from 1959 that we've all seen, but AF photographers typically shoot many more. Anyone have an idea where these extra archive prints might be?

Ken

[DaveM2]

http://www.qattara.it/60-173%20Kittyhawk.htm

[N3Njeff]

Thanks dave.

[Dan Jones]

Yes - thanks Dave. At least it's been saved from being destroyed.