Warbird Information Exchange

P-40E Serial 40-401

See:

http://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry ... rtxt=95665

Registration Reserved 13th Feb 2008

C/n 13276

Two incidents

411020 P-40E 40-401 79PS 20PG Hamilton Field, CA CBLoG 3 Smith, Herbert E, Jr USA NC Cunningham Field, NC

420703 P-40E 40-401 Fort Randall, AK 5 Bernston, James A. USA AK Fort Randall, AK

http://home.att.net/~jbaugher/1940.html

41-401 crashed and burned after takeoff Jun 3, 1942, Fort Randal, AK

So who knows the story behind this one?

Maybe it is the one dug up from the dump that had the pictures
on barnstormers several years ago. I thought it was a B or C model
however.
40-401 seems early for a P-40E model. They didn't build E's in 1940 did they?

The year 40 is the year ordered - not built

Any idea how many 'E' models were ordered in 1940? Still seems a little early but I'm sure no expert, it just caught my eye.

I just found this and it is awfully close to 1940. This new registration must be the earliest surviving E model, the 43rd off the line. Very cool.

This has now come up on the full register

http://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry ... rtxt=95665

BTW the incident in which it crashed and burned in Alaska might be July 3rd and not June 3rd

Yup, E models were built in 1940 and the E-1s in 41.This bird is not the one dug up from coldbay ak.The serial on that bird is 41-5709.Making it an E-1.There are numerous P-40 goodies that have made it out of AK over the years so who knows.Does anyone know the number of the bird recovered from Unalaska?

_________________
Hang The Expense

The P-40D had a four gun set of wings and was changed when they went to six gun wings to p-40E.They went back to the 4 gun wing on the N-1s but a bunch of the N-1s were refitted with sixgun wings later.Old age is starting to set in.

_________________
Hang The Expense

Not exactly... the N-1s had six-gun wings, but only four guns were installed at the factory. Same goes for most P-40Ls. (all but the first block of 49 or so)

The P-40D was the only Model 87 to be built with a true 4-gun wing.


Fade to Black...

Just a quick bit of info for you all. 41-5709 is not an E-1 but an E model. 40-401 was built in 1941 with the C/N of 13276 and delivered 13th Jul 1941. She is actually the 44th aircraft not the 43rd. All E models were delivered in 1941 and 1942, none during 1940. Additionally Most E-1's were not delivered until 1942.

Buz

Buz

Thank you - you don't happen to have a actual date for 40-401 in Alaska and also a MACR/Loss for a P-40 on
22 September 1942 for 2LT 0-724679 JOHN A BERNTSON of 18FS?
I believe JOHN A BERNTSON was the pilot of 40-401 when it Crashed at Cold Bay (Fort Randall) while with 11FS

Thanks

Paul

Paul

I have the aircraft heading up to Alaska 29th March 42. Confirmed there 24th April 1942 - Lost 3rd Jul 1942 Pilot at the time was 2Lt H. Smith. Aircraft crashed on take off and burnt (11FS)

Will need to do some closer checking for Berntson for you.

Buz

Buz

Thanks for the info re: confirmation of date of accident to P-40 40-401 and new pilot information

If you do find out aircraft for Berntson would be very interested

Many Thanks

Paul

Hey Buz,Thanks for straightening that out for me.Now that I see it clearly you are so right.Hey I get to blame it on old age.Never thought I would live long enough to be able to say that.

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Hang The Expense

It's ok mate, if I didn't have the computer or the other half, I would be in the same boat.......it creeps up on us all..lol