On the subject of Curtiss Build Numbers/Shop Numbers does anyone have a list or approx or at least 1 for any aircraft in the ET520 to EV699 range?

Thanks

paul

Word of warning here the 161 is probably the “Curtiss Build number” not the Construction number

For instance I have seen the FHC 41-13390 quoted as C/N 16194 its actual Curtiss Build number is 194 with C/N 16166

I expect Buz to be along any minute to correct me though!

PS. But why the secrecy now when the plane is in plain sight, and why the reluctance to say who the owner is? Who restored it? How come this is the first we’ve seen of it? I assume it’s based loosely upon the remains of one of the other Hawaii wrecks, but which one?

“Hawaii” wrecks are I think 39-285 or 39-287 both lost 24-10-1941 in California

39-285 P-40 lost 24-10-1941 pilot Lt Jack W West of 57 Pursuit Group (baled out OK)
39-287 RP-40 lost 24-10-1941 pilot 2nd Lt. Richard N Long 57 Pursuit Group (killed)

Both aircraft were based at Windsor Locks, Connecticut but lost at Roaring River,Kings Canyon National Forest, California

On 24 October 1941 a flight of nineteen P-40 “Tomahawk” fighters departed March Field in Riverside County, California bound for McClelland Field Sacramento, California when they encountered severe weather over the Sierra Nevada.

Also killed in this incident was Lt. William H. Birrell in Curtiss P-40 39-200. In total 6 P-40’s were lost or damaged in this incident but the rest of the crews survived:

39-213 RP-40G Lt John H Pease (baled out OK at Tehachapi California)
39-194 P-40 Lt Leonard C Lydon (baled out OK)
41-13333 (not 41-19333 as quote elsewhere) RP-40G Lt Ralph D Mathews (Landing Accident at Smith Valley, Nevada)

39-287 was not found until 1959, and the wreckage was recovered in May 1989 for the now defunct Curtiss Historical Association “Project Tomahawk” to help with the rebuild of 41-13297 (now G-CDWH with the TFC). 41-13297 of course came from Hawaii..

This possible ID for this aircraft is only down to the link to TFC

Whole story of loss is here:

http://www.donrjordan.com/sierra_p-40s.html

I remain to be convinced that the Satyr suffered its backward landing, in her hands, in 1933. But anything is possible!

I can prove it!

Western Morning News
Thu 25 May 1933

MRS. BRUCE’S AIR MISHAP
HITS TELEGRAPH WIRES
FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT. STAFFORD, Wednesday.

“Mrs Victor Bruce had a narrow escape when she arrived at Stafford to-day with the British Hospitals Air Pageant. She was about to land her singleseater machine the aerodrome when a down draught caused the ‘plane to lose height, and she flew into the telegraph wires which run along one side the common. The tail of the machine was damaged and the wires were torn down, but Mrs Bruce succeeded effecting a safe landing. The ‘plane was immediately dismantled.

Don’t know if anyone has seen Doug Norrie’s comments on 12 O’Clock High?

Dave

In photo 10 of the picasaweb series of pictures it clearly shows the ref. H-87A-3 stamped in the wing and a part no. starting with 87….which would in indicate it was one of 540 Kittyhawks produced with the a/c serials in my previous thread. According to ‘Curtiss Fighter Aircraft 1917-1948’ by Francis Dean and Dan Hagedorn, page 294, the 540 aircraft were bought by the British government in Contract A-1835 commencing with AK591, before Lend Lease took effect.

The pipe type exhausts indicate an early model Kittyhawk, Mk I or IA.

Looking through my Air Britain serials book (through the 540 a/c), assuming it is a 260 Sqd a/c, I could see only two possibles that could be considered:
AL134 lost on 7.9.1942
AK693 lost on 16.5.1942

If someone could check the 260 Sqd RAF ORB there may be some clues from the above dates.

I look forward to seeing if anyone can add any further info to what I have put forward.

Doug

Dave, my analysis is on TOCH but the issue is what source do you believe? as I have AL134 and AK693 as H87-A2 not H87-A3