Any P-40 experts care to comment on this image?

hang the expense · **Posted:** Sun Apr 29, 2012 1:55 pm

shepsair wrote:

Back to original thread!

OK, an archaeology question of sorts. Would be interesting to know general thoughts on this as it has not really been discussed. (You might have to refer back to original photo if you have it or look at the Key site).

The writing on the hatch.

It seems to say

COWL BUTTON

TO BE LOCKED

SHUT BEFORE FLIGHT

Q - Was this applied in the factory - if so does not seems to be a clear stencil, more hand painted.

Q - Is it two separate phases 'Cowl button to be locked' and later 'shut before flight'.

Q - The writing seems to have been painted 'above/around' the grey modified latch plate.

so, if not factory

Q - was it applied at the MU when assembled when the modified hatch latch was fitted?

Q - if this was the case and it was painted over the roundel would it have been painted over before issue to 260Sqn. Also a note in white paint over white roundel so does not make it readable!

Trouble is it seems to have survived the best which seems to indicate it was not applied last though was applied with thick paint by brush?

Bit a quandary. No evidence on other P40's ever having this though not many show the modified hatch latch.

Bit of a head scratch!!!

regards

Mark

Hey Mark, My guess would be not at the factory but once you guys took possesion of the bird.The word shut instead of closed leads me to believe this was done by the RAF.Still a very cool mod.I wonder was this mod in force before the service mod with independent tabs with DZUS fittings fore and aft of the door in the states?

shepsair · **Posted:** Sun Apr 29, 2012 3:53 pm

Hi 51fixer,

Seems a fair observation between English and American!

Had another look at it. It is painted in red as the remains of the red is visible over the yellow ring to the left.

Don't think it is hand painted, more a home made (in the field) stencil as the O, B, R letters all have a connecting piece to the middle. Think it was applied at the squadron as the new mod was applied at the MU. It was anew closing method so perhaps the ground crew needs a reminder!

regards

Mark

JDK · **Posted:** Sun Apr 29, 2012 5:54 pm

For a guess, it could be that the latch was modified as part of a process for a desert survival equipment stowage. Important in this case!

hang the expense · **Posted:** Sun Apr 29, 2012 7:30 pm

From what I hear the bird has been recovered and is kept in a military compound.I hope somebody gets the bird out and restores her.

JDK · **Posted:** Sun Apr 29, 2012 7:36 pm

Good, if correct! Personally, I hope somebody gets the bird conserved.

Regards,

cooper9411 · **Posted:** Sun Apr 29, 2012 7:59 pm

Hopefully someone can do something with it, and the "red-tape wrangling" won't take forever! :drink3:

RMAllnutt · **Posted:** Sun Apr 29, 2012 8:26 pm

wingman1 wrote:

Wilson wrote:

any id on "that" aircraft? :drinkers:

Spitfire Mk.V BR491

Cheers,
Richard

Mark Allen M · **Joined:** Fri Feb 03, 2012 1:48 pm **Posts:** 7802

In a few shots of the recent photo set I noticed trucks that didn't seem like they traveled too far. Does anyone have an idea exactly where, or a relative location for where this P-40 was found?

hang the expense · **Posted:** Sun Apr 29, 2012 9:43 pm

I will see what I can find out.I hear that Eygpt is the location but other than that I dont know yet.Anybody have any mummies we could give back in trade?How about a rosetta stone or the rosetta stone.I say the trade would be worth it.

RMAllnutt · **Posted:** Sun Apr 29, 2012 10:19 pm

Mark Allen M wrote:

In a few shots of the recent photo set I noticed trucks that didn't seem like they traveled too far. Does anyone have an idea exactly where, or a relative location for where this P-40 was found?

It's near the Farafra Oasis in the Al-Wadi Al Jadid desert.

Cheers,
Richard

JDK · **Posted:** Sun Apr 29, 2012 10:25 pm

Thanks Richard. It's interesting that the desert in that area is famed for its mushroom rock formations.

The absolute best help WIX members can do here is not to make remarks that, read in Egypt, or by people with a stake in the process, act detrimentally to any negotiations for preservation.

I'm not referring to Hang's comments above, but let's just not go too far down the smart remark route. Those kind of remarks on the internet have fouled up deals for recoveries and preservation in the past.

Please don't be the guy who couldn't keep it shut and fouled this one up.

Regards,

shepsair · **Posted:** Mon Apr 30, 2012 7:38 am

Hi all

Have also been given the OK to confirm that the Royal Air Force Museum, Hendon. London are actively pursuing this P40 with the intention to recover and conserve. This is being dealt with at the highest levels.

As for it being recovered, it was still there yesterday :-)

regards

Mark

Dan Jones · **Posted:** Mon Apr 30, 2012 9:13 am

It would be a shame, in my opinion, to see this one restored. Conserved, protected, and on display in the RAF Museum alongside "Black 6" would be just amazing to see, and probably one of the most powerful restored/unrestored displays ever. And I think James K's remarks about us staying civil and on-point here are spot on. I do hope plans are also underway to mount a search operation for the pilot.

Baldeagle · **Posted:** Mon Apr 30, 2012 11:37 am

I think it should fly, give it to the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, they need a Kittyhawk-

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Wildchild · **Posted:** Mon Apr 30, 2012 2:05 pm

Baldeagle wrote:

I think it should fly, give it to the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, they need a Kittyhawk-

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Question remains: Where's the pilot...

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