P40

Peter

I think Jakub is just sorting out they were loaded onto a joint server as some photos are his and some belonged to his colleague so he was splitting them so they are credited to both.

regards

Mark

P40

I have been told someone from the survey team is hopefully going back to see the Kittyhawk today or tomorrow.

The priority is to find any surviving tags, and there is one or two places where they still might be hidden and can be recorded to finally confirm the identity.

There is so many things we would do if we could get there but as this is not the case so have to go with those that can get access; albeit it is not even close for them. I could spend a week there as could Andy and a few others of us if only to try and find out info on the pilot’s possible whereabouts. Could ascertain so much, the ‘flak’ damage, undercarriage damage, identity, other parts strewn around etc etc.

The sat image was from a satellite company like google earth. Do not have the name but it is readily available on the web. Even with this facility, you would need a year of Sunday’s to try and locate any other possible wrecks in the desert.

A news agency have asked for pics/story and this is being progressed but holding off until confirmation of the Kittyhawk ID and also whether the RAFM/AHB are likely to release any information.

I am sure it will be in the main press before long.

Gradually building up more of a picture from other 260Sqn pilots and families.

Even though no confirmation yet it was Copping we have been looking as part of the 260Sqn picture anyway. Now know Copping’s father and grandfather were ex military, (father was in South African War 1899 -1902) his Mum was almost certainly South African and Copping had 2 sisters and two brothers all born in SA. Dennis Copping was the youngest and fifth child born in the UK. We are not therefore looking for siblings, probably second or third generation relatives so chance of anything surviving is significantly reduced.

Might need to go to and see electoral lists in Essex as have a last address for one of Copping’s sister though old but at least gives us her married name. (Though only if ID is finally confirmed).

regards

Mark

… and to think this is a hobby! 😮

P40

43-2195

I heard it the the later P40’s had a modified latch. I think this mod at the MU was very new – May 1942. The catch seems unpainted and rivets newer. Does not seem to be any photos in this ET range in ME.

It was altered due to some P40’s being lost when the hatch came open in flight.

Nice little detail with the stencil as well.

regards

Mark

Spitfire

Dr Strangelove.

That was hit good luck charm:D

your comment made me laugh. Thanks for that.

Glad everyone OK and not too much damage I hope.

Mark

P40

Shay

The P40 was first seen 27th Feb!

The videos are from end of March. Even though a month later the damage was not as bad as I had expected when I thought it had only been known about for a week. We are now this was from a month it makes me feel a very small amount better.

All of the plates and tags have gone but there are still a few hidden places and hopefully J can get out there soon to check.

As for a press release, I am hoping there will be one shortly and after that it will hopefully also be in the main press. The situation with the pilot is the main reason why it has not been report as well as access to photos.

Wait to hear that happens on Star Wars day.

Dobbin – the Polish guys have not stolen anything!

regards

Mark

P40

We’ll still be able ID STAMPED on the lower longeron. If that goes missing there will be no point at all.

Amazing what some people class as scrap and some as historic. I do feel like going and chipping some stone off the pyramid. Just feel like having a bit of stone, just like tprobably like the idea if having a piece of 70 year old metal.

Getting more and more depressed.

:mad::confused::dev2::(

Mark

P40

Walshee,

Kittyhawk ia, ‘ET574’ has been mooted now as a possible identity for over a week now but the RAFM/AHB are looking into the loses for ALL Curtiss P40 Kittyhawk Ia’s around the summer of 1942 though AHB are concentrating on 260Sqn as a start point.

Buz has confirmed that 260Sqn records are sparse to say the least!

There are two lines of discussion here.

The evidence in relation to the P40, when she was built, the model, when she probably arrived in theatre, whether damaged, whether the wheels were down, whether she had the range from coast strip to where found. We know at some stage it was with 260Sqn and coded HS-B

Then there is the information we know on F/Sgt Copping. We know he was with 260Sqn, when he took off on his final flight, who he was flying with, that his undercarriage could not be retracted and that he is still classed as missing.

The only thing about the two statements is that both were connected to 260Sqn. Until the serial is confirmed there is no point going further.

If no serial is found which seems probable, we need the Curtiss construction number. This will give us 99% certainty. 100% certainty will be provided by confirmation of the Allison engine number which is listed on Coppings loss record.

As we have no serial, construction number or Allison number, no one yet knows which it is or isn’t!

regards

Mark

In 1991 detailed research was completed on the loss of a Fw190D-9 on 17th April 1945 in Schwerin Lake in the former East Germany. The research and eye witnesses narrowed it down to a very small section of the lake. The area was surveyed, cameras, divers etc and the Fw190D was found and recovered. Shortly after recovery it was discover it was ANOTHER Fw190D-9 lost a few days before. Shows never to assume but also there are other Fw190’s and other aircraft in these former East German lakes.

Until we see a pic of the main plate or a tag and of the Allison engine this is still an unknown RAF Kittyhawk Ia. There is currently no proof.

Would you put your life or house on it being ET574?

P40

The GPS was from the team that discovered her and the Egyptians work for the team as drivers etc.

Most of the Egyptians know the general location but not by GPS, not that it probably makes a difference.

GPS, limited but the important thing is the RAFM have it.

regards

Mark