Mk. I a, No. 112 ' Sh,,,k ' Squad,on. No. 239 Wing, RAf.

O •• ort Air Fore e, Flown bf S.gt.-Pit. H. C. Burn"f. Note e:.:tl!ndl!!'d !itriker of 250 lb. bomb .. L,ondon Pride I in Im .... 11 white 'Stfjp't <IIhov~ Y.

Los+ 30th M'f 1942 Mar Bir H.,k.im. G,mb.It. Libya. M.y 1942.

Mk. Ia. No. 15 Squ.d,.n. and .pinn" e, N.Z304·O.

Mk. 111. No.2 OTU. Mild ... , New South ,u,I.<oo, A29-310.

Mk, IV, No. A29-518.

With .a essen ",.,"01 on tha wlng PO,nhng Ih" way a K,ilyhaw< Mk. III 01 No 112 'Shark' Squad,on la~,as OUI lrom the d,.persal "rea .1 LG 91. Amrlyhii. GA-F probabl\' F R509

CURTISS KITTYHAWK MK.I-IV.

Early in 1940 Curtiss Aviation sough [ [0 improve the performance of the successful Hawk 8 I A, the P-40 Tomahawk which had enjoyed substantial orders from both (he U,S. and French governments, by the installation of a more powerful Allison V-1710-34 engine and an increased armament of four wing-mounted .50 in. machine guns. Some re-design of the nose of this new aircraft, the Hawk 87A, slightly altered the appearance, and the name WES changed to Kiuyhawk. In May the Brirish igovernment placed an order for S 60 aircraft as the Kittvhawk Mark I, and when the first example was flown on Z2 May, 1941, the aircraft was also ordered for the USAAF It was as a result of an American requirernenr for increased armament that the aircraft was fined with six .50 in. wing guns, and chis modification was at once adopted by [he British, 540 of the Iniiial order being supplied in this configuration as the Mark lA. Early in 1941 substantial American orders were placed for the aircraft, including 1,500 Mark lAs for the RAF, purchased under Lease-Lend funds. In the event, 25 of these aircraft were delivered by surface transport [0 the ReAF, and others were. scm 10 the Far East [or use by the RAAF and RNZAF, following the Japanese attacks on Allied terri tories in December 1941. A number were also released by me RAF for delivery to Russia. .

Apart from early test models, the majority of the RAF's Kinvhawks were delivered direct to the Middle East. As 3 result of the poor altitude performance of the Allison engines efforts were made to install a Rolls Rovce Merlin in the aircraft, and the next version to be produced, ordered for the USAAF as the P-40F, was fined with a Packard-built Merlin V-16S0-L Most were used by the Americans, principally in the Middle East, but 250 wen' produced for Lease-Lend, 100 going to Russia, the. rest being retained by the U.S. or supplied to the French (see later publication on [he P-40 Warnawk). Known in the RAF as the Kirryhawk II it has been stated thai none of the aircraft went into service with this terce, but in fact a few Mark Hs did find their way into Middle East squadrons during the summer of 1942,

Production of Allison-engined versions conrinucd, me P-40K being the next production version and a number of these were supplied to [he RCAF late in 1942 for usc in the Aleutians area, where the type was also employed by the USAAF, Twenty-one were shipped [0 the RAF as the Kitryhawk III, but these were soon followed by

595 PAQM , also known as Mark Ills. This version was buil t solely for Lease-Lend, a II bu t five being allo Itcd initially to the RAF, some serving in tile Middle East, though the maiority were shipped 10 the Far East and to Russ ia. Though built solely for Lease - Lend a few found their way into the USAAF.

The final production version was the P-40N, produced as a lightened edition of the aircraft. It was buill in larger numbers Ulan any of the earlier models, and 586 of the main production model, with 3 revised cockpit canopy, were supplied !O [he RAF as the Mark IV, serving in Italy, and with the Australians, New Zealanders and Dutch in the Far East. Large numbers were also supplied to Russia, this nation receiving a total of 2,097 P-40s during the war (although a small percentage of these were the earlier Tomahawks),

The Kittyhawk In service with the R.A.F,

First unit in the Middle East to receive Kinyhawks was 3 RAAF Squadron, exchanging Tomahawks for these aircraft during December 1941 and beginning operations from ,'vlsus on 27th of tha t month; 112 Sq uadron withdrew to similarly re-equip before the turn of the year. Employed during the first pan of 194" as U1!! RAF's main air superloriry fighter, the firs! Kirryhawk combats were fought by the Australians on , ew Year's Day, when they claimed four Ju 875 and a Bf 109 destroyed, one of each probably destroyed and [our damaged for the loss of their commanding officer. The tables were rurned eight day later, when II Z Squadron joined 3 RAAF at the front. On one mission the Australians were bounced by Bf 109" losing t IVO of their num ber, a nd later in the day an aircraft of 112 Squadron was also sho t down: no claims were made by the Commonwealth pilots. At the end of the month a new squadron j ined operations for the first rime, this being 450 (Australian) Squadron also .Rying Kiuvhawks,

During the early month of 1942 the Kltryhawks flew fighld sweeps, bomber escorts and inrerception missions, fn:qul'ntly taking heavy tol.l of Axis dive-bombers and Italian fighters, However, though rugged and manoeuvreable, the aircraft was cut-performed by the: darting Messerschmitr Bf 109Fs, whi h used their better alrirud e performance [0 sit above the British fighters, making diving attacks and climbing away, avoiding dog-lights whenever possible. Throughout the campaign these formid-

damaged one of 112's aircraft. 94 Squadron was at once withdrawn for further training.

On 8 March a dozen Kirtyhawks from 450 and 3 RAAF Squadrons intercepted 15 Ju· 87s, nine Macchis and tWO Sf 109s over Tobruk, the Italians mistaking me AusrraHans for friendly aircraft with disastrous results; seven Macchis and two Ju 87s were claimed shot down. 112 Squadron on a sweep met the scattered remnants of the formation, claiming another two. Two days later, the commander of the latter unit, Sqn.-Ldr. C. R. Caldwell, test-dropped a 250 lb. bomb - a sign of things to come.

During March another Kirtyhawk unit, 260 Squadron, began operations, and on 21st 94 Squadron was called back lnto action, immediately losing one aircraft. In midApril 250 Squadron also arrived at the from with Kittyhawks, but early in May 94 Squadron was ordered to band all aircraft to 2 SAAF Squadron, to replace that unit's Tomahawks and to withdraw to fly Hurricanes 00 rear area defence duties. The more experienced pilols were posted to 260 Squadron.

On 12 May, 1942, Kltryhawks from 250 Squadron escorted Beaufighters of 252 Squadron to intercept a formation of Ju 525 crossing the Mediter.rancan, the first rime such a mission had been attempted. A formation, reponed as 16 Ju 525 and two Bf 110s, was sight.ed, and the British a ircraft carried out a devasting frontal attack,

Above AK5'l1 the f,rst Kil1yhawk Mk. I Green/brown·and pale blue scheme, IPhoro IWM)

Above & Cemre Mk. I in sand and Stone carnoullaqa. NOle tWo guns. nose and cockpit details. (Pharo IWM)

able aircraft, piloted by a handful of highly-experienced pilots, rook a regular toll of [he Kirryhawks, on occasions shooting down four or five aircraft from one squadron in a single mission.

Typical of these operations were those on 14 and }5 February, 1942. On the former day, eight Kitryhawks of 3 RAAF Squadron and 10 of 112 Squadron engaged 32 Axis aircraft, claiming 20 destroyed without loss. Nearly every pilot engaged put forward a claim the Australians claiming four Bf 109s 3* Macchi 2005 and a Macchi 202, while 112 Squadron claimed lOt Macchi 200s and a Bf 109. Several claims for probables and damaged were also made. Next day lIZ Squadron lost two aircraft to Lt. Hans-Ioachim Marseille of IIJG 27 in the morning, and in the afternoon 12 aircraft from this squadron, accompanied by eight hom 94 Squadron SCI o.ff to strafe Martuba landing ground. 94 Squadron had JUSt received their Kirtyhawks, having taken very heavy losses earlier in the campaign when flying Hurricanes, and this was their first mission, led by a new commanding officer, Sqn.-Ldr. E. M. 'Imshi' Mason, who had been topscoring RAF fighter pilot of the First Libyan Campaign a year earlier. One Bf 109, flown by Ofw. Otto Schulz of IIIJG 27 managed to get off me ground [0 intercept the arrack, but this lone pilot shot down and killed Mason and three N.C.O. pilots of 94 Squadron, and badly

l

before sweeping round to catch the survivors. Claims from. the Kitryhawks totalled 10 Ju S2s and two Bf 110s, v.@': J. L Waddy alone claiming four aircraft, while the Beaufighters claimed another five Ju 52s, Subsequent research shows that the formation actually consisted of 14 Ju 52s and one Bf 110, but nonetheless 10 aircraft were lost and others damaged.

On 16 May 112 Squadron began operations as the first Kittybomber unit, and the following month, during the g:cC?t Gazala battles, the firs! Spitfires appeared overhead" altering the Kirtyhawks' role. Throughout June and Jel)T many fighter-bomber and strafing missions were flown in ,an effort to, stop the Axis advance, and losses (0 ground-fire were heavy. Al the height of these opera.rions, 4 SAAF Squadron also began replacing their Tomahawks with Kittyhawks operating a mixed complement of both types for some weeks.

After the 8rb Army's consolidation on the Alarnein Line, the two Kittyhawk Wings, 239, composed of 112, 250, 450 and 3 RAAF Squadrons, and 233, composed of '26,0 2 SAAF, 4 SAAF and 5 SAAF (still flying Tomahawks) Squadrons, settled down to a steady routine at bomber escort missions, the former Wing usually accompanying the Baltimore squadrons while the latter looked afrer the Bostons. The squadrons frequently carded bombs on these missions, going down to ground level after the main attack to ferret au! anything missed by the mediums, The escort provided by these squadrons was extremely effective, and bomber losses to Axis fighters were very Jjght, though the losses suffered by their charges were fr equen tl y -su bs 13D ti al,

DUrIng the Bartle of El Alamein the Kittyhawk again took pan in a fair amount of strafing and ground attack work in addition to their escort duties, now joined by th-e P-40 squadrons of the growing U.S. 9th Air Force. With the .advance towards Tripoli aod the Tunisian border, nearly all Hurricane units were lefr behind, and the Kirtyhawk became the main ground-support aircraft of the Desert Air Force, supporting the Army in this role with considerable effect during the Mareth and Wadi Zigzau battles. That the Axis fighters had teeth in Tunisian skies was proved to 112 Squadron on 10 March 1943. Bounced by a mixed force of the enemy, the 'squadron claimed three to take their [oral for the war to over 200, but in so doing, lost six aircraft and pilots,

5 SAAF Squadron, the last Tomahawk unit, was finally re-equipped early in 1943, though many pilots preferred the greater sensitivity of control of the earlier aircraft. During April 1943 USAAF aircraft on several occasions inflicted heavy losses on large formations of German transport aircraft in the Cap Bon area, as these attempted ~o supply the Axis forces in Tunisia. On 19 April the SAil.F Kirryhawks had their turn, 2 SAAF Squadron claiming five ju 52s rwo SM 82s and a probable, while 5 SAAF Squadron claimed 8 Ju SZs and tWO probables a Re 2001 and a Ju 87 together with a glider it was lowing. Three days later 4 and 5 SAAF Squadrons met a formation of six-engined Me 323s and claimed an even bigge~ victory, nine being credited to the former unit and 13-15 to the latter.

. When, the campaign in NOrth Africa ended in May .1943, the Kirryhawk squadrons had, since 1 January, 1942, claimed over 420 enemy aircraft shot down in combat, with others claimed as probables or damaged, and had also destroyed many more on the ground. Most successful unit in air combat was liZ Squadron with 79 victories while flying Kitryhawks, and many of the leading pilots in the Desert had gained some of their succes es on this type, including Sqri-Ldr. C. R. Caldwell and Sqo.-Ldr. B. Drake of 112 Squadron, F.O. J. L. Waddy of 250 Squadron, Squ-Ldrs, R. W. Gibbes and A. W. Barr of 3 E-AAF Squadron, and Fl.·LI. J. F. Edwards of 260 Squadron.

After the final .surrender of the Axis in Africa, the Kiayhaw,ks' main task was mere than ever to be ground support, By the lime the invasion of Sicily look place, 11 and 4 SAAF Squadrons had convected to Spitfire Vs, but all other Kirtyhswk squadrons rook part in this campajgp and in the subsequent invasion of Italy. During

[his period there was little opporruniry for air combat, and in fact cnlv a Jew more victories were to be claimed by lIZ and 3 'RAAF Squadrons during late 1943 and early 1944, The lasr combat occurred on 7 April, 1944 when 12 Kirryhawks of 112 surprised 12 Fw 1905 laking off from Rieti and shot down three for the loss of two. Carrying 500 lb. bombs close support of a very high standard was afforded to the armies advancing up the Italian mainland, and though 112, 260 and 3 RAAF Squadrons gave up their Kirtyhawk IV5, and 5 SAAF Squadron their Kirryhawk IIIs for the more modem Mustang Hs during the latter pan of 1944, 250 and 450 Squadrons soldiered on with their Mark IVs until after the final surrender in May 1945, finally handing their aircraft in 10 depots during the late summer.

With the R.A.A.F.

With the rapid Japanese advance early in 1942, the Australian homeland came in imminent danger of .invasion and in February 1942, 25 Kirryhawk lAs, released from the RAF's initial contract for the type, arrived, being formed during March into 75 Squadron around a small nucleus of experienced pilots withdrawn from the Middle East. On 21 March the squadron flew to Pon Moresby to provide air cover to this pan on the south coast of New Guinea, leaving the defence of Darwin and the North-Western Territories to American P-40s of the 49th Fighter Group,

The day of arrival, the, squadron was in the air intercepting B. raid and. claiming their first victory, and next day they carried the war to the. enemy, strafing Lac airfield on the North side of me island. The Kittvhawks were intercepted. by the already-notorious M.itsubishi A6M Zero-Sees, losing two of their number, but claiming two Zeros shot down. By the end of the first three days seven of the 17 Kitryhawks had been 1051 to one .cause or. another. During April the squadron escorted USAAF A-24 Dauntlesses over Lae being involved in several fierce fights with Zeros with losses on borb sides. On 28 April the commanding officer Sqn.-Ldr. J. Jackson led the last five serviceable aircraft against a raid by escorted bombers, but. both he and another pilot were shot down and killed, while a third aircraft was damaged. Two days later tWO squadrons of P-39s of me U.S. 8th Fighter Group arrived (0 relieve. the Australians bUI for several more days such aircraft as could be got into the air accompanied these on missions until 00 9 May ooly one aircraft was fit to fly back to the mainland, a second following rwo days later. In 44 days of combat the squadron had shot down 18 aircraft and destroyed 17 on the ground, claiming four more probably destroyed and 47 damaged for a loss of 22 Kitrybawks of 31 received, nine in combat. four mis ing, three on me ground and six in accidents; 12 pilots were killed or missing. Sqo-Ldr. L. Jackson, who had taken over after his brother's death, had shot down four aircraft and F.O. Piper 3t.

Meanwhile two mere squadrons had been formed these being Nos. 76 and 77. On 25 July, 75 lind 76 Squadrons flew to Milne Bay, New Guinea, an area in danger of invasion. The firs! combat occurred on 4 August when eight aircraft of 76 Squadron intercepted a raid, Fl-Lr, Ash shooting down a dive-bomber, but on 11 th 22 Kirryhawks from both squadrons intercepted 12 Zeros, losing four Kirryhawks for a claim of four Zeros probably shot down. On 24th an invasion flee! appeared and landings began, both squadrons at once beginning II series of almost continuous strafing and bombing attacks 011 the Japanese troops and vessels, Occasional air attacks were met, and on 27th four dive-bombers and two Zeros were shot down but on this day the commander of 76 Squadron, Sqrr-Ldr. P. Turnbull, a veteran of the Desert, crashed and was killed while strafing. On 6 September, mainly due (0 heavy losses inflicted by air attack, the Japanese withdrew, never to return, and next day [he Kitryhawks escorted the first offensive mission fiown by Australian Beauforts and Beaufighrers, The actionof the Kittyhawks during the invasion was summed up by the Australian commander General Blarney, in the words; "The action of 75 aod 76 Squadrons, RAAF. on the first

Mk, I, GA-V "own bv PIO N. Duke. sellal unknown, photcqraphs probably taken at Gambut Mmn. Ltbya. Aplll 1942. (Credfl unknown)

day was probably the decisive facror." On 21 September the squadron> were again relieved by U.S. 8th Fighter Group P-39s, 7S Squadron then liying [Q Horn Island and 76 Squadron to [he North- West area,

Here the latter unit was joined by 77 Squadron which had been based in Western Australia since formation, and these units look over the defence of the Darwin area from the U.S. P-40s "Her in the year. No daylight raids materialized during Ihi, period, but attempts were made to Inrercept night bombers, culminating on 23 November when Sqn-Ldr. Cresswell, commander of 77 Squadron, shot one down. Early in 1943 the squadrons were relieved by the newly-arrived Spitfires of 1 Fighter Wing, and 77 Squadron then flew to Milm' Bay where they were joined by 75 Squadron.

'At this time a limited offensive was beginning, the Japanese advance having been. held, and the squadrons carried out escort missions to Beauforts until May, when 7'7 moved to Goodenough Island with 76 and 79 (Spitfire) Squadrons to cover landings on the north coast of New Guinea during June, 75 Squadron also taking pan from Milne Bay Attacks by Beauforts, Bcaufighters and Bostons on Gasrnata and Rabaul WCfC escorted from these bases.

New Kiuyhawk squadrons were still being formed and in July 86 Squadrcn flew to Merawke for air defence and the following momh 78 Squadron joined the others on Goodenough Island, moving forward EO Kiriwlna with 76 and 79 Squadrons as 71 Wing, to rake part in [he Lae-Nadzab and Finschafcn operations. Towards the end of the year 75, 76, 77 and 78 Squadrons, grouped as 73 Wing, all took parr in a series of assaults on Rabaul, Gasrnara and [he Blsmarks, these coinciding with attacks by the U.S. l Brh Air Force from the Solomons which included RN,Z,A,F. Kirtyhawk squadrons JO its strength. During this period many bomber escort missions were flown, together with dive-bombing attacks.

During january 1.944 86 Squadron at Merawke at last saw some action. On 22nd, two Kittyhawks patrolled over Cape Valsch after a regular japanese reconnaissance aircraft, this being duly intercepted and shot down. Next day two more fighters SRW a 'Berty' lind an escorting , Zcke " fL-Lr. Whitl!e shooting down the latter and then sharing with FI.-Slil. Kerrison in destroying the

bomber. The Iapanuse did nor come again. 86 Squadron shared the defence of the area with 84 Squadron which had exchanged Boomerangs for Kirryhawks the previous October,

At the rum of the year a new Group was formed on New Guinea and this included a new Kitryhawk \,{Iing, , o. 78. made up of 7·,. 78 and SO Squadrons, which went into action to January, strafing and bombing targets in Northern New Guinea, and escorting Mitchells and R .. A.A.F. Vengcances. On 3 June patrolling Kirtyhawks of 78 Squadron [rom this Wing met 12 "Oscars ' and three , Kates' over Biak, and in a 40 minutes dogfight. shot down seven of the fighters and two bomber' for the loss of one Kirryhawk. Seven davs later eight aircraft from the same squadron, while covering a convoy, saw an enemy aircraft. and this was shot down in flames by two of rhcrn, the last R.A.A,F. victory io the New Guinea theatre, and the la r claimed by an Au. tralian Kitryhawk,

During the summer reforms were made in the organisarion of squadrons, and when, in September, a second Wing, No. 81. was formed with 76. 77 and 82 Squadrons, 84 and '6 Squadrons still on home defence duties were disbanded to increase the capacity or the other units. Following an assault by U.S. forces, in Which 78 Wing was heavily invoked, both \Xlings moved up ro Iocmfoor and MoromL and late in the vcar J e Tactical Air Force was formed at the former base, incorporating both Wing under the command of Air-Cdr. A. H. Cobby, a famous • ace' of the Fir I War.

When the Americans began their assault on [he Philippines the R.A.A.F. units and me u.S. 13th Air Force operated only in a supporting role, Sth Air Force giving immediate cover to the landing. The Australians were involved in neutralizing surrounding islands, notably HaJrnahera, suffering considerable losses (0 ground fire in the process, I [ now became obvious that the Australian were not [0 be invited forward 10 the DCW bases, and for the rest of the war they were involved in holding operations against by - passed garrisons which were steadily neutralized and mopped-up. These operations included snacks on Celebes LO February 1945, the occupation of Tarakan in the spring, the Labuan and Brunei operations, where aircraft of 81 \'(liDS managed to destroy one or two aircraft on the ground" and finally in June and July, operations over the former Dutch territories in the East Indies. AU these involved mainly ground support mission. JUS[ as the war came to II close the first P-SID Mustangs arrived and these soon replaced the Kitrvhawks in an squadrons.

With the R.N.Z.A.F.

In December 1941, following requests to Bruain for reinforcements, 142 Kirryhawk IAs were released for the R.A.A.F. and R.N2.A.F., the latter fore" receiving 18 in pring 1942 these providing the basis of 14 Squadron with a nucleus of pilots from 488 Squadron who had I.OSt their aircraft in the retreat from the East Indies. Eighty more Kitryhawks were allocated {O the R.N.Z.A.F., and by June 44 of these had arrived, 15 and 16 Squadrons 'being formed followed in October by 17 Squadron. In [his month rhe first fighter pilots were sect overseas, 15 Squadron laking over 23 American P-40s in poor CODdirion from [he U.S, 68th Fighter Squadron at Santo for air defence duties,

Iu April 1943 14 Squadron flew their own Kirtyhawks to Santo, and these were then taken 0[1 co Gundalcannl by J 5 Squadron, where, suitably daubed with white recognition band (he squadron began operations on 29 April, flying with U.S. 1'-385 and P-40s and Navy and Marine SBD.s, TBFs, F4Us and F4Fs. On 7 June, 1943, 40-50 Japan~sefighlers were Iller between Buraku and the Russells, when Allied fighters were escorting divebombers. Twenty-three were claimed, four by 12 Kittyhawks of 15 Squadron in their first combat, no loss being

suffered bv the cw Zealanders.

The firs'r R.N.Z.A.F. Kitryhawk was lost on 12 June when 14 Squadron, arriving to relieve IS, scrambled and shot down six enemy aircraft for me loss of one. This

Above, C9m,e & R,g!lI Neal fOlmallons by four replacement a"~r"rl of No, 112 ·SI1B1" Squadron, nota all alrCrafl have A~Uf. blue under Surfaces. (Alip/loIO$IWM)

B~low

"'K77Z (naSieSI ale In all !til" POOIO.S above) COmplele with 'Stlnr' mouth' and code. 'London Prrde' m small while script above ·Y. N~le exiendsd 1\1'" on 250 Ib bomb. G.mbul. 1942. (/WM)

GA-C laXYlng OUI 10 ihe r,eld wuh billowing clouds 01 dU51 beIng whIpped up by the airscrew, IYPltal opera II nil condiuons on Desert LEndmg Grounds. LG 91, Arnllyha, EgYPl, 1942. I Pharos IWM)

r

squadron was then involved in patrols over Rendova claiming seven for the loss of two Kitryhawks on 1 July .and five for on 3rd, three of these being credited to EO. G. B. Fisken, One Kirtvhawk crash-landed and one was damaged. On 25 July the squadron was relieved by 16 Squadron which had arrived at Santo in june, and then flew back to New Zealand for a rest, having claimed 22 shor down and four probables for the loss of four aircraft and three pilots. 17 Squadron now also flew OUI to Santo, a further squadron, 18, having been formed in [une.

No. 16 Squadron flew their first major mission on 31 july, .escorring SBDs and TBFs to Munda, but were bounced by 30 Zeros and lWO Kitryhawks were shot down. The squadron was relieved in mid-September b)' 17 Squadron, and also returned to New Zealand for a rest, The R.N.Z.A.F. pilots had made a good name for themselves with the U.S. bomber crews and were much sought after for close escort, A U.S. request was now made for increased representa lion and 15 Squadron joined 17 a I Guadalcanal [0 form the R.N.Z.A.F. Fighter Wing, while 18 Squadron fiew [0 Santo. On 1 October off Vella Lavella Japanese dive-bombers attacked a convoy carrying New Zealand troops, being intercepted by eight Kitryhawks of 15 Squadron and 12 U.S. F4Us, the New Zealanders claiming seven of the • Vals '.

Late in October the squadrons moved.forward 10 Ondonga on New Georgia [0 help cover landings on Bougainvillc and as these went in on 1 November 18 Squadron auaeked 50-60 "Zekes ', claiming seven and a probable for the 10 s of one aircraft. During the month over 1,000 sorties were made by the Wing and for the !lesl time strafing snacks wen: laid on. During December sweeps. began against Rabaul refuelling at Torokina on Bougainville, 14 and 16 Squadrons relieved 15 and 18, and were in turn relieved by 11, and then 15 again in late December. In a fight on 17 December the New Zealanders shot down five aircraft but lost 1;\\'0, including the Wing Leader, Wg.-Cdr. Freeman. On 24 December ·while on a sweep with U.S. fighters, they met 4ll + Japanese fighters and gained their best score [0 date, claiming 12 destroyed and four probables for the loss of five Kittyhawks.

,In January 15 and 17 Squadrons moved up to Torokina [(); continue their close. escort to U.S., bombers over RahauJ,' where Japanese fighter opposition remained heavy. During the last 10 days of January 1944 the New Zealanders fought six battles, claiming eight 'Zekes' for the loss 'of three Kirtyhawks, and on nnd 18 Squadron replaced 17 the latter returning home. On 13 February, while escorting TBFs to Vunakanau airfield, this former s(cIuadion mel 25 "Zekes " shooting down two for the 1p)lS of one. These victories brought the total claims of the R.N2.A.F. Kitryhawks [0 99 shot down and were the l,fJeSI they were to gain, as on 19th the Japanese wirhd rew their fighters from the area having decided that their further use was uneconomical.

During their len months in combat, two New Zealand pilots had each shot down five japanese aircraft, these being Sqn.-Ldr. P. Newton of 17 Squadron and F.O. G" B. Fisken of IS Squadron; Fisken had previously shot down six aircraft in Burma and was probably the topseoring Commonwealth pilot ,against the Ispanese .

. Two further squadrons had been formed, 19 in December 1943 and 20 in January 1944, and the former moved to Tcrckina in March to relieve 18 Squadron. In this month the R.N.Z.A.F. squadrons really began fighterbomber and dive-bombing attacks, initially carrying 500 lb. bombs, bur from 21 March 1,000 pounders were frequently carried. Attacks were made on Rabaul and targets on Bougainville, but in May the first COrsairs arrived for the R.N.Z.A.F., and during the year all the Klttyhawks were replaced by these.

With the R.C.A.F.

Twenty-five Kitryhawks were supplied to the R.C.A.F. in Marth 1942, followed by more later, and six home

defence quadrons of \'\I'estem Air Command were eq uipped with these aircraft, me fir, [ squadron being de patched at once [0 assist the U.S. forces in Alaska and the Aleutians, where for several months patrolling and strafing missions were flown. On 25 September 1942, 11 Kirryhawks of 14 and 111 Squadrons accompanied six U.S. P-40s and II P-39s to strafe the Japanese base on Kiska. During this mission TWO "Rufe ' ftoarplane fighters were shot down. one by Sqrr-Ldr. K. A. Boomer of III Squadronvthis being the only victory of the war gained by RC,A.F. horne-be ed units. Canadian Kitryhawks remained in the area until the Japanese withdrew from Kiska in August 1943 when they returned to Canada,

With the Netherlands East Indies Air Force

Pilors of the Netherlands East Indies Air Force who escaped to Australia in 1942 formed several squadrons. opera Ling under R.A.A.F. command and one of these 120 Squadron, was formed during 1943 with Kitryhawks. The unit initially served on home defence duties in the North-Wesrern Territories, but in mid 1945 took part ill operations over the East Indies in company with Australian Kirtyhawk units, flying strafing and bombing rnissions, After the war the squadron was based on Java, flying alongside Dutch Must.Bng units, and took part ill several actions against Indonesian nationalist guerillas. the last known operational missions flown by CurLi.5S aircraft. In 1949 the squadron was JUSt beginning to reequip with Mustangs when the Duren moved au! of J ndonesla, and 311 rerna i ning aircraft were handed to the new Republic, The subsequent fare of the remaining aircraft is uncertain.

With the Russians

Some 2,000 Kirtvhawks of various models were supplied 10 the Soviet Union, but little is known of 'thei ruse by this country. Certainly, unlike the British and Americans, the Russians did not prefer them to the Bell P-.39 Airacobra, considering [hat' they did not absorb battle damage as well as the latter, or have the same punch with regard to armament. It is believed that many were used for advanced [raining, but some were supplied to the Soviet Navy and flown on the North Russian fronr. The Safonov unit which had previously flown 1-165, MiG 35 and Hurricanes, operated these aircraft for some time, and several pilots gained. a number of successes with the Kirtyhawks. including Senior Lt. Nikolai Fedorovich Kuznersov who ended the 'war with 36 victories.

. At least one Russian Kitryhawk was captured intact by Finnish forces, and this, coded KH-51. was issued [0 Finnish fighter squadron HLeLv 32, 10 operate alongside the unit's Curtiss Hawk 75As and three captured LaGG 3s, joining the latter in the high speed, low lcvel jeconnaissance role.

Bomb r.ael< de. ails, 2.50 Ib with extended fuse.

forced landed in the desert near Daba .flcr desuITym9 " Ju. 870 and Bf,l 09E. Flown by S9t Hogg, SAAF. Be/ow GA-M, FR864. note 2 ~ 250 Ib side bV side under lusal;)ge ami 4 x '40 Ib bombs undei wings

Righi Mk, le. AK772. GA-Y oj No, 112 'Shark' SQu"dran, Appears 10 nave 2 x 250 lb bombs mourned in tannern under fuselage. an arrangement .150 used bv the 23rd Fighter Group, USAAF, WJlh bOI" bombs 'and long r"nge tanks. Garnbut. Libya. June 1942,

A few words about the <lngr n of the Sharkrnourh I~;~ll rna '~Jjor\ed by No. 11 2. Squadron m~y net be ow t or pracs here, Contrary [o,what has appeared In prim ,,1'!lwMe,e. No. 112 Sqdn, origon,ne<;J IJ;!is mark'ng sa iiir as Allred us!' ;5 concerned. [\ was, of course. COPIed rem 'he Messa,schmltl St.11 O's of ZG7fi, who No. 112 Sqdn., at the lime fly,ng GI2UlaIOfS,lou,g 1 OVBr Greece and Crete In 11141. Tile' remnan s of the squao'cn On lheir return to Egyp! were reformed an" re-equipped with the Tcrnahawk conversion ta,lng place at Feyid j" Iha CanilLZo~e during, July 1 e41. Frrst cps, were flown from Sid I Barfam and Sid, H enelsh dun ng All.9u,sl, and dUfing ihe iollowrng month. SEp~tember.lhe 'Snarkrneutb appear d an A Flight aucratt at Sid, Heneish, ThE SQuadron was visrtec by loe press in la a Sep,,,,mbe' or early OCIOb'er n the resulting pholOgraphs wele rei esed ('01 geMlal publicaticn. 1l two page spread appea'; ng r n the lllustrared London News. a copy of wh,ch lou nd us WilV to R o11goon wha,e at the rime one' 50 uadron of theAmerican Voluntaer Gr<lUP, were stationed and the resJ is tustcrv, 'Who was rssponsibte for the lirsl 112 'Sharkrnouth' IS not nown for sure thouqh a certain Pilot Officer WeSUlnr. may have eeo the originator.

Abpve tett Mk. la. AK673 No, 112 Squa,drOn. on strength Jan. 42. EI Ad m, efi Feb, Gambur Main.

fR. Tester VJ8 R, C. Jooes)

Apove, righl Poor photograph but In a'es),ing, a Mk, III of No. 112 Squadron with USAAF serial on rudder. 2.45798, MedeninefEI Harnrna M~rchf April 1948. (SAAF)

Rrgh/ G,A-X s~rral pOSSIbly AK583 bHirlg the dust at Mach,lll. January 1942. after up. over Amelal/Saunm.J area, ta~lrig off Originally flom Msu,;,

IR. Tester VI. R. C. Jones)

II ne-up of No. 112 Souecion M k, la's at "S,dl Henatsh, '4th Ap" I 1942. (R, A. B_fD,Wn)

GA-A, senal u n~nown, probably OJj LG 1 Off, EI Daba, EgyPt Nov. 1942, NOle veil ow outer ling In under wing roundel and Azure blue under surfaces.

A'gln Mk, III.F R 302, GA- T prebably on Martuba 4, Libya, November 194'2,

Below Mk. III, serial Un~nQWn, GA-C probably on Antarat LG, Libya, (IWM)

, '

Above Four Mk, III's of No, 112 Squ~dron. note three ale with 'Sharkrncuths carrv 2 x 250 Ib bombs.

(/WM)

Above- M·k, Ill's toucN~g down at Zuarz, Tripoluanis. April 1943. (via R: A. Brower)

R/gill Sqdn.ldr. P. f, Illingworth,

D,C. No. 112 Squadron 15,7.43-29.3,44

Blii/ow M~. IV. GA-? FX740 taking ali from C.tilella. Italy. NOli' bomb load, 1 x &00 Ib under fuselage. 2 x 250 Ib under wings, Hr.Lt, Ross

DaM" stiot showing willg guns. camera gun and bomb tsc .

A complete rudder and tha rernarns brought back by fit lL BlueH from " S""('['(9 op. No. 112 Squadron.

Damaged radio corripartrnant or FR~74. GA-Jlnx af Sf comber Fe.190·s over Alec LG. Italv. 7th Ap,,' 1944. Hewn by

Ht.Lt, Matthia:;. No. \12 Squadron.

GA-B. FT854 damaged In combat over Rian lG (All photos vi" 8. A. Brown)

Above lIne·up of No. 112 'Shark' Squadron and

linmg up for take·ofr. [Viti R. A. Brown)

Above GA-O. FR80e. USAAF OD and grey scheme. Note 2 x 250 Ib bombs under fusel.!!" and 6 x 40 Ib

under wlrlg s. f09gla Mmn. Iraly. (via R. A Brown)

Below Mk.1V bomb d up wilh3'x 250 Ib bombslJ'Ylng aut for lake-off on en arrherd 'n I lilly. No.112 Squadron /IWIoJ)

Righr Line-up ot ·Sharkmou,hs'. note nearest ajrcraft has odd panels. Bnndisi LG. September 1943. (IWM)

BelDw Lrne-up of No. 260 Squadron Klttyhawks on a desert lafld;ng g,.ound. no doucr ~fler the pre~s phOlographs had bee" dulV iaksn the squadron di,persed overthe usual lWO 10 three miles occupied by a dssart squadron. (/WM) .

Above Sarne hna-up as O~ faCing page_ note yellow OU ter ""g to under Wing mundel on pale blue under surfaces. (IWM)

R.g{!1 Plan view delall ShO\. note camera gun hOUSing on starboard wing.

Bolow Nose dela.1 of aM. III, nota full span ,Y811ow lead1n9 edge stripe. Wing ranks ~nd A,ura blue under surfaces, (IWM)

;.

Above Mk. I "own by sqdn. Ldr. M, T. Judd. CO 01 No, 250 'Sudan' Squadron. Western Desen, A~,gust 1942. (IWMj Below A pair of No. 250 Squadron Mk, Ill's taking aU from a landing grOund In Ilaly. IIWM)

Below FR24·j revving up prior to take-off, note yellow outer ring to under wing roundel on Azura blue under surfaces. LD-R of No. 250 Squadron. (/WM)

TYPical Western Desert scene, KillY~&wk~ leesely unsd- up awauIng!a~"'-oH lime.

Tap snQ/ ~hows .""cralt of No. 260 Squadton. H.5- nearest 'camera with No. ;; SAAf, GL- In distance, Lower '1lhot shows No. 2 SAAF SQua.d.on. air squadrons QI No. 233 W'ng, RAF. De se rt ,l>.lr Force.

{Pbotos IWM)

---~~~~~~~-

Above Mk. la flown by Major D. 8. Hauprfliesch.

the Amriyi1" landing grounds. Serial unknown ..

Below 'Ladv Godiva' a Mk. 111 of No.5 SAAF Squadron on an airfield in f 31'1. Note led/while quartered wheel dlsc and

vellow lead, ng G.dge stri P" to u/e lil",ng. (IWM)

Above Bombed up Mk. las of NO.3 RAAF Squadron On a deserllandjng grouI1d. (Ausualian War Memorial)

Below Mk. la's or Nos. 3 and 450 AAAF Squadrons taxYing out for take-oH on bombing op. (AusrralHJn War MemOfial)

Above and below Line-up of NO.3 AAAF !IIyhawks Note CV-U In USAAF casen Pin, scheme bUI "Iii" Azure blue under surfaces. while star en red wheel msc, AJI ate WI h lull span vello"lleadlng dge wipes (PI>oros IWM)

Left Mk. III. NO.3 RAAF Squadron. Zuara, Tripolitania. 1943. Seacolcur ilhrstration for

pori side details, (via R. C. Jones) .

Below Mk. Ill's of No. 450 R.AAF Squadron on an ""Hald on Malia. (AWM)

RighI AKSB 1. CV-J No. 3 RAAF Squadron down in Ihe desert somewhere "' 1941. Note large J.

(via Frank F. Smuh}

Lef! K,Hyhllwks of No. 450 RAAF Squadron [3 '0901.11\0 Ihe runway. San Arlgelo. 1I.ly, 1944.

(via If C. Jones)

J

{flgl>l Mk. ta. A29-96 or No_ 75 Sqdn. RAAF 0' Mlln~ Bay 1942 I U W as 755 1OF""',_"l!!""~" code a, Ih,s lime subsequsnuv ch."ged to GA 'U-Elmc' on cowl, green/brown uppers, pole blue unders, A29-45 'Peters Revenge' In dis lance. (AWM)

Abqve M k, I il coded I F or No 7B Squadlon. Milne !;lay. NOI" ledfwhrJe/ ollie roundats (." WM)

Righi Sqdn.Ldr K. W 'BILlev'T,usCDII DC NO 76 Sq\ladrOfl, ia~\lIng InA28-1 ~2 SI Milne Bay. NOle ... avy ionlsh to ';6"'~ullage. sen"1 In g'cv (AWM)

Ab""u 'Sha'~mO~II' d'M . la. A29-83 01 No 1 OTU, EllSI Sale. victcne So. colour IlIuS"iltIQIl. (Via Frank F $",",,)

Righi M" 1if. A29-310 01 Nu 2 OTU. "duro. New SouIII Wali"s (Via Frdn F. 5rlllll,)

Above Mk. la. A29-13Q of the Canuel Gunnery Schoof. CIEtSS'l. V,ClO"B. Green/brown uocers. pale blue unders.

(VIa frail/( P. smnn)

Above (3 p.ctures} M '. la. A29-1 ~4 of the CenualGunnerv School. Cressy. Vrctcna, after a forced landIng sometime in 1944. Green/tirown

uccers. pale blue u nders, No t. A29 on IV on stbd, side. 144 only orr ocn s.de In 9 rev, 44 In whue (V18 Frank F. Smith)

Right M k, III. No.2 OTU. Mlldula. 1944. Bare merar and 00 scheme.

(Via Frank F .. Small}

Left Mk. IV of No 75 Squadron, RAAF with collapsed undercrarl probably due to burst I,/Ie. Saltal probably A29-1 01 (VIIi Frank F Smtih)

1

Mk. I, No. 250 . Sud,,, ' S.quod,·on. No. 239. Wing., Squadron oc. AK91.9.

194·2. flown by Sqdn.-ldr. M .. T. J u(M,

2 Mk. I. No. 250' Sud'n ' Squodr.on, No. 239 Wins. FI~wn b~ P/O. J. L. W"ddy .. AK846.

3 RA ..

Mk , 'III, !No. 2S0 ' Sud." ' Squ,d.on. No. 239 Wing, F. Oc se ,t An For~.,

by FI. __ Lt. O. H. CI;lrko:. e Flight

4 Mk,

.5 Mk. m. No. 250 Squod,eh, No. 233 Wing, RAF.

6 Mk. I, N'c;. 112" Sho,k ' Squ.,dro.n, No. 239 Wing"

B

I

Mk. la, No. 112 'Shark' Squadron, No. 239 Wing, Gambut, Libya, March 1942.

2 Mk. I., No. 11 2 'Shark' Squadron, .LG 91, Am,iyh., Egypt.. Oot. 194,2.

3 M~. 111. No. 112 'Sh.,k' Squadron, Cutella, Italy,

4 Mk. III. No, 112 . Shark' Squadron, No. p.chino/Agnonc, Sicily, July 19·43,

5 ,Flown

Mk. III, No. 112 • Sh.rk Squadron,

Pachino/Agnone, Sicily, July/Aug. 1943.

C

1

Mk. I a, No.·2 • Flying Cheetah' Squ.ad,an. SAAF, No. 233 Wing. RAF, Flown by Maj. D. B. Houptflei«h. AFC. Squadron OC. Se,i.1

6 Mk. I.,. No.3 SQu,ld,on. RAAF, No.

6 Mk.

o

1

Mk. Ia. No, 3 Squad,on. RAAF. 'No. Z39 Wing. RAF, Do,"rt Ai, Fesce , ET9.53_

2 Mk.

s:

Mk, lao 01 ~iih.r No, 75 or 76 Squadeen, RAAF.

© WA«t'RP __ .

Mk. 111, No. 76 Squ.d,o~. RAAF. S.,i.1 unknown.

2

Mk. Ill. No. 71 Squad,on, RAAF. S.,i.1 unknown . • Copp.,top '.

{

F

Mk. 10. No. 14 Sqllo1d.on. RNZAF. 50,;.1 unknown.

2

a Mk. IV. prob.bI'y No. 18 Squ"dron,

4

Mk. IV. ~,ob.blv No. 19 Squ.dron. R.NZAF. Serial unknown.

[

/

t

Mk. IV. NG. 120 SquadrGn. Netherland, E •• t Indie. Air Force, • Snafu ",

G

New Guinea, November 194.4 .

2

Mk. IV. C3-S00.

Guill.a. November 1944.

4 Mk. IV. No. 120 Squad,on. NEIAF, prob.bly .' Biak. 1944.

6 Mk. IV, po,t war sche ..... e. 326. NEIAF.

302

5 Mk. IV. No. 120 Squad,on, NEIAF. in c.1rly post Wi]r scheme. 1-302.

© '" A .... ~ .. _

H

\

Mk. I, No. III S.quJdran, RCAF, P.ll.id, Say. British Colomb i a, West.," Air Command, I !l'4I. AK206.

2 Mk. I., No. 118 SQuadrqn. RCAF. Sea Island, Bri+lsh Colombia, 1941 -43,

4

Mk., 1", Unit unknown. 1075. RCAF,

S Mk. III. flown by Senior Lt. Nakal.i Kuonct,o., Soviel Nnval Air Snrvico.

6

Mk. I. (P-40MJ, captured KH-S 1.

2, 1 !M3 -SO. Finni,h Air FOleo.

Rlg}'1 & b8/DW A29-443 'Genel>a· flown by S91. G eol!. Wifliijm$, No 75 Squadron. PO,l and soa,bM,d view". "an1~ M pon side onlv on cowl above exhaust Doris. (via Frallk F. Snuttt)

8elowA29-36i SV-y"fNo, 76$ouad· '0"," 'Mk, III I n g'een/b,own and paf~ blue scheme, rAWMJ

Lefr Mk. IV. A29-357 of No. 76 S·quadro~ RAAF landing on Vfliig.ilni S rip. Goodenqugh 1.land on the Solomon Sea. 1943.

Above (3 ptoture«) Mk. IV's of No. 70 Squadron nearest camera with No, 8~ Squadron In drstance, some """rafl io bare meta! finiSh, Nota variaucns on roundels. (Alil'M) Lerr Mk. IV wilh what appears 10 be 'Shar~mouth' parnted on long range lank. (RighI) SV-B of NO. 76 Sqdn.

Note while I ddln9 edge.

Above Neat nne-up of Mk. IV's of No. 78 Squadron on Moratal. Code I1U- (AWM)

Below Mk. IV's of No, 76 Squadron al Noemfoor. Dutch New Guona8, Prior 10 lak"'9 all on a rmssron "gaonsl large's an VOllelkllp Peninsular.

Dutch New GuinDa. (via, B. Pauison)

Above Bare metal M~. IV -01 No. 79 Squadrcn. hrSl allied ~"crafl lO IBOd on Karmr, SI"D. NQernfoor. (AWM)

Leir Li~e·up of clean and s.h,ny Mk. I'rs of No. 8G Squ.drOfl. Noemfoor. 10.11. qA. (VIa F Smith)

..

Below No. BD Suuadrons dispersal-area at MOJorai. YM CA tryck under nose of 204. (AWM)

Above & left Mk. IV's of No. 80 Squadron in dispersal area, Mororai. (Top AWM; len Peter M. Bowers)

MIxed lorrnatinn of Mk. IV's of Nos. 75 &. 80 Sqdns.

Below Close· up 01 . Cleopatra III' nown by Wing Commander G. C. Atherton. (v;e B. Peuison}

Above & righl Naat Icrmation by No. SO Squadron, a U-B in dark green! grey scheme, other aircralt in 00/ grey scheme, BU-B with red 11p 10 spinner, 'Cleopatra III' In red outIfned while,

(All photos RAAF Ilia 8_ Paulson)

Below Mk, IV's of No, 84 SqUadron, code LB-, NOla variation in size and po_srtions of roundels. all aircrah witli dark green patches -along leading and frsill ng edge of wings.and tall plans and on fin end rudder on standard U-SAAF 00/ _graysc'heme. LB-K probably A29~

,618. (:AWM) -

Top No. B2 Squadron drspersal al ea On Labuan a uhald, North Borneo. No.t" 'ed/whIle checks on Ii n and rudder and bare me\al M k, IV coded

FA-R ,n drsrence. Also nOle large a nd srn 111 rcundsts o.n nG"res, arrcrah. IAWM)

Centre Bare metal Mk, IV. No. 82 Squacron, A29~625, code and senal In black. l.abuan. (via a'E. C. Darby) Below Bare metal Mk.,IV, A29-1193, 00 ant"glare panel. Uno( unknown. (Via F. Smith)

Above Neal formation by No 1'4 Squadron RNZAF. Mk la's In greenl brown uppers. pale blue unders, Name on cowl of HO-R 'Umstcpcqaas' with smailligh!r"l,ng flash. all in while. (wa d·E. C. Darby)

Righi Stepped down formation by N". 16 Squadron, RNZAF. JZ-I NZ..3040. Greenjblown UPPErs. pale blue enders. (RNZAF)

a8/0W Lrne- up 01 Mk. la's 01 No. 15 Squadron. RNZAF. JZ-P NZ.3Q37. Whonuapai. (New lealend Hetard via d'E. C. Derbv}

- ..

Below Mag m Flelenl shot of Mk. Is's at No. 16 Squadron. RNZAF. Note led/whlte/blua loundels, XO-M NZ.3028, (RNZAF)

Abo.ve & lerr M k. IV's on ~ New Zaaland arrfield ready to fly ou I' to the islands. note> H udsc ns in background,

(Bath phoros IWM)

Above With a Hudson aoling as navigator Mk, IV's head out over the SM for 1I1e Islands. 00 and grey scheme, red/white/blue roundels on fuselage. 8elow Mk. Ill's of No, 15 Squadron. RNZAF, Solomons, 1943, Gfaen/brown uppers. pole blue undars, (IWM)

Above Neal Icrrnatron of Mk. I 's of an urn nown squad'On Blu~" hr e/blue rounocts. 00 a'1d g,ey schema Squadron may be No. 18 (RNZAF)

Righi Mk, IV laxying along runway. Tore rna .,rheld, Bouga,MIII" Island. (USN)

t ett Poe, pbotoqraph bUI "pan f,orn .he combat damage-, I n~efesl.l"Ig as It snows he Iiny reo cerure In tn~ ",untiel. ra'E. C. Doroy)

Be/ow Vic of Mk. IV's of an unl nown souecron I. lOgo f. RE'd/whll~/bfue round"ls. (wa d E. C. Dalby)

NZ 3119. Mk. III In 00 and gray finish. note blu /whita/bluQ under wing rcuncat,

(via R. C. JOMS)

Mk. IV F!own by PIO A. A. Watson. No. 19 Squadron. RNZAF. Guadalcanal. 1944. NZ 3287, see colour illustra ion 'ES'NA LEE.'

(d·c. C. Dalby)

An.oth~r Mk. IV of No.4. SOTU on faded 00 and grey. note 00 showing throug h white rudder. NZ 3246.

(vIa R. C. Jones)

This Mk. III appears 10 be NZ 3119 Stripped down \0 billa 0101 al W1lh black spin' n~r and anlo·glare panel.

(VIS R. C Jones)

M . IV o. 4 Fighter Opera\lonal Tr.llnlng UniL Nl 325fi In .Ien",' style. Very laded 00 and g,ey scheme red/while spinner and red roundel centres, Pal .. blue code.

Above Mk, la's of No. 111 Squadron, RCAF, W(tslerr1 Air Command, squadron opera led from Sea Island, Palricia Bay. B,C .. and Anchor"ge. Alaska. LZ-code used 11-,Q1 10 12-43. (/WM)

Be/ow (3 picturss) Mk, Ia's of No, 118 Squadron, RCAF. Wheel disc Of) RE-C blue/white ouinned red. (Ph%s RCAF)

Above M.~. la in standard green/brown uppers. pale blue unders. Note red/white/blue roundels on wings, Photo probably taken after Oct. 1942 wh:en sqdn. codes were dlsconttnueo for security reasons,

Above M k, la. serial unknown, iaki ng off from Patricia Bay,

,Above Line-up 01 Mk" la's being refuelled at Patricia B~y, 20.11.42. I-\ircrafl ne~rest camera AI( 905

B,e/ow Mk. la showing something of a contrast. RAF standard desert scheme over the SnOWs of Canada. Serial ET611, (All photos RCAF)

-.-

Letr Mk. la, ·Vancou.er IX' C 729. See colour IlIus1falion for pen side deralts. FlCAF.

(Perer M. Bowers)

RI9hl Mk. I a, 1009. Black F af.! of round",1 port and 5!bd. RCAF. (vIa D. W. Menllrd)

Below lerr Mk. ta. 1073 m RAF desert scheme. (Peler M. Bowers}

Below "ghl Mk. la. senal unknown wilh blac~ PN on cowl, Tnis partIcular :<;itlyhaWk survived the war and .5 presenlly beong restored by G. A. Maude.

fG. A', Maude}

Rlghr Mk: IV, 867. on bare melal Ilrush. 00 annglare panel and fm, See cover ,llushailon. U'"1 unknown, (P.fJIEr M, Bowers)

8elow Mk. I a In bare rnetal finish, 1076 ,n black, (RCAF)

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, Nice she: 01 lour Mk. IV'. 01 No. 120 Squadron, Netherlands East Indies AI[ Force. See colour IlluSI'<lI;on, t.euers on fin and rudder onqlnallv whIte (ViiI G, H, KamphulsJ

•

M~, I V's revving up in dispersal area .1 Merauke_ AI Ihe rune 1 hIS photo was taken Ie ucrs had only recenrlv been Da,med on fin ~nd rudder. tn W~ lie.

(G. H K"u"phUls) .

Mk. IV 01 o. 120 Squadron. NEIAf NOl rudder has b en painted while. ,hl$ mar .og wa ... s used fOI a short lime onlv. as wer~ [he while bands round fuselage and W1095.

(Via Frank F. Srmtb]

C3-500 with faded Y On lin and (via Fren« F.

Mk. IV of No. 120 Squadron showrnq wrute fuselage and wong bands and while rudder. see c a lou I ,II ustr a lion. (via G. H. K amp/lUI.)

'IIZy the lnjun' afl~1 forced landrnf) al Mer<luke. DuIC" New GUinea. Mk. IV', ware flown by both DUlch and Amellc .. n piIOI. which accounts lor rh very Arnencan names 01 some of the Kllivhawks.

(vIa G. 1-1. K~mpl/Uis)

B310 olalal Mk. IV, post war, see tii"uStratlon (ViiIG. H K~mplwl$)

Above CJ-52& of fifo. 120 Squadron, NEIAF. note new rudder and p,e ·Ujlltuck. 11."8 G_ H. Kamphuis)

Above Known by the Finnish AI r Force as a K,lIyhawk Mk.la.acw"llv a Mk III (P-40M). The a.rcralt was caPlured at Valkrarvl dud ng The wlntsr 01 1943. the cuct. a young Russian Major. 10SI his way" in a snowstorm and fOrcBd I. nded on a frozen lake On the Flnn.shside of "'he [rent, be'in~ taken prisoner. Overhauled by lMe Mech.n,e School and 16S1 Ilown bV Cap!. Pelle sccehus. subsequently Sen! 10 LeLv32. The CurUss squadron, who leSt flew 01 only, n ver flown on ops. Spare plugs came Irom shot down Arracobras ! (V1i1 £fno RflarantiJ)

Rlgl'l Seruor LT. Nicola' KUlna\<)v 01 the Norl ham Air Fleet. Soviet Naval AI[ Force. with rns Mk. III I~ the backglound see colour utustraucn. (via W. B. Klepackl'j

RUSSIan KilTyhawk aW81\inS Collecnon at Abadan, Irsn, (/WM)

AIRCAM AVIATION SERIES Each publication illustrate. one type or major sub-types of a tarnous aircraft in the colo~r sche~ll.s and markings of the Air Forces <if the World. Each Issue will contsm eight pages of colour Side view illustrations, supporting black and white plan view drawiri'gs showing where necessary both upper and und"~ surface~, one hundred and twenty-five half-tone photographs, each rssue w,1I also contain one full colour otare Tliuslfaiing twenty examples of Unit I ngig nla of the World's ,Air Forces,

No.1 North American P-51D MU!lt:ang. In USAAF-USAF service.

No.2 Republic P-47 Thunderbolt. In USAAF-USAF; RAF: Frae French; French Air Force: Mexican, 'Bra'lllian and other Air Forces.

No.3 North American Mustang Mk. I-IV, In RAF: RAAF: SAAF:

RNZAF: RCAF' service and the North American P-51 B and o M4stang in. French: ltaflan: Swedish: Royal Netherlands:

Netherlands Eas! I ndles: I ndcnesian: Israeli: Philippine:

Dominican: Somali: South Korean; Chinese Nationalist; Chinese Communist. atc., Air Forces.

No.4 supermartne Spitfire Mk, ,I-XVI, Merlin Engine. In RAf:

RAAF: SAAF: RCAF: USAAF; Belgian: Polish: Czechoslovakian: Free French: Flench: R, Norwegian: R. Netherland;:

R, Danish; Israeli; Italian: Greek: Turkish: Pcnuquese: Egyptian; Burmese. etc" Air Forces.

No.6 N'orth American P-51 B/C Mustang. In USAAF service.

Similar. content '10 No, 1 bUI with brief 'coverage of the P-51 and A_,36 ..

No.6 Curtiss (P-40) Kittyhawk Mk. I-IV. In HAF: RAAF; R NZAF: SAAF: RCAF: NellJ,arlands E.st I ndies: Russian and Finnish Air Forces, The Curtiss P-40 Warn-awk will be covered ina future issue,

No. 7 Curtiss P-40 Warhawk

No.8 Supermarine Spitfire-Griffon Engine

No, 9 Sped Scouts r-----------\

Aircam Special

No. 10 lockheed P-38 Lightning

No. 11 Consolidated B-24 liberator No. 12 Albstros Scouts

No. 13 Avro Lancaster

No. 14 Boeinll B-17 Flying Fortress

Battle ot Britain

The Superrnarlna Spitfire

Hawker Hurricane and Mess.rschmitt 8f,1 09E.

South Pacifio Area

Wg.Cdr, p, G. H. Newton 17 Squadron. RNZAF-5 victories F.O. G. B. Fisken 15 Squadron. RNZAF-5 victories

SPECIFICATlON-CURTISS KITTYHAWK Mk. '-IV

Curtiss Kittyhawk Mk. I-IV T,a;n;ng

Apart from ts operational use, the Kinyhawk was employed in large nu mbers bv the RAF In the Middle Elm, and by the SAAF. RCAF and RNZAF in the advanced training role.

Squadrons op~raling the K;rlyh"wk

RAF (and squadrons under RAF control). Middle East and Mediterra"nean ar-ea.

94.1 I 2.250.2.60.450. 3 RAAF. 2 SAAF, 4 SAAF and 5 !?AAF Squadrons.

RAAF. South-West Pacific Area

75. 76. 77. 78. eo. 82. 84 and 86 Squadrons. 120 Squadron. Netherlands East Indies Air Force.

RNZ.AF, South Pacific Area

, 4, 15. 16, 17. 1 B. 19 and 10 Squadrons.

RCAF. Canada and Aleutians

t 4. 111, 118. 1 32. 133. 135 Squadrons.

Most successful Commonweafth Kilt'vhawk pltots iii air combat Middle East and Mediterranean Area

Sqn.Ldr. B. Dra~e 112 SquadfOn-15 Victories

F1.U. J. F. Edwards 250 Squadron-lO, victenes a.l. Sqn.Ldr. A. IN. Barr 3 RAAF'Squadron-9 vrctcries

F.O. J, t, Waddy 250/260.4 SAAF SQuadlOn-S victories

South-West Pacific Area

Wg.Cdr. L D, Jackson 75. 80 Squadrons.

RAAF and 78 Wing-5 victories

w9.Cdr. G. C. Atherton 75. 82 and 80Squ.drons, RAAF and 7B Wfng-5 victories

Tvpe Mk, I Mk. la
Span 37 It. 4 in. 37 It 4 in,
Leng!h 31 fl. 2 in. 31 ft, 2 in.
Height 10 ft. 7 in. 10 It, 7 in.
Wing Area 235 sq, II, 236 sq. h.
Weight emplY 6.208 lb. 6350 lb.
Weight lo"dad 7740 lb. 8100/9100 lb.
Weighlloaded max, 8810 lb. 9200 lb.
M.x, Speed at 16.000 fl. 350 rn.p.h, 354 rn.p.h,
Range (miles) aoo 700
Range mao'. (miles) 1150 1500
Ceiling 30.60Q ft, 29,00Q 11.
Armament (all '5 in. m.g's.) 4 or 6 Power unit

Allison V-' 71 0-39 1150h,p,

Allison V-1710-39 1150 n.p,

Mk. III (P-40K) Mk. III (P-40M) Mk. IV
37 ft. 4 in. az n, 4 in. 37 If- 41n.
31 ft. 2 In. 31 fl. Z io.-33 If- 4 in. 33 fl: 4 fn.
1011. 7 in. 10 ft. 7 In. 12 Il 2 in.
236 sq. It, 236 sq. 11. 236 sq. II.
6400 lb. 6480 lb. 6000 lb.
8400 lb. 8000 lb. 7400 lb.
10.000 lb. 8900 lb. 8850 lb.
362 m.p.h, 360 m.p.h. 343 m.p.n,
700 700 750
1600 1800 1400
2B.000 ft. 30,000 h. 30.000 It
6 6 4 or 6
Allison V-1710-73 Allison V-1710-81 Allison v-171D-9a
13·25 h.p. 1200 h.p. 1200 h.p, Front Cover· top to bouom

Mk, IV No. 120 Squadrcn, Netherlands East Indies Air Force. Marauke. Dutch New Guinea. 1944. Mk. III No, 112 'Shark' Squadron, No, 239 Wing, Desert Air Force. RAF, 1943.

Mk. IV No 15 Squadron, Royal New Zealand Air Force. !lown by F.a. G, B. Fraken on Guedalcanat. summer 1943. Mk. IV No, 76 Squadron. Royal Australian Air Fore.

Mk, IV Serial 867, Roye'l Canadian Air Force.

The Berkshire Primin.g Co .. ltd.. ItI a.spray Publications Ltd .. S B N 85.046 002 0

AIRCAM AVIATION SERIES

No.6

t

Mk. IV. A29-629 'Cleopatra III' flown by Wing Commander G. C_ Atherton. OC No. 80 Squadron. RAAF.

CD I SS KI YHAIK KI-V IN RAf·SAAf·RAAF·RNZAf'RCAF·NE If SERVICE

Illustrated & compiled by Richard Ward

Text by Christopher F. Shores

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Wlrhou the help of many friends this pictorial survey of the Kittyhawk. the first real Iiqhter-bornner of the first Allied Tactical Air Force. the Desalt Air Force. could not have been published, My thanks to all who helped whose names are listed below In alphabetical order:

A Blake. Peter M, Bowers. R, A. Brown. d'E. c_ Darby. J.. F. Golding. Imperial War Museum. R. C. Jones. IPMS. G. H. Kamplluis.

S. Kostenuk, W. 8. Klepacki. D. W. Menard. B. Pattison.

Eino Hitarante, Frank F. Smith. R_ Tester. Australian War Memonal, Royal Canadian Air Force. Royal New Zealand Air Force.

South African Air Force. United States Navy.

-[

Mk, IV. Royal Australian Air Force. A29-1193 in bare metal Hnis h, black spinner. narrow 00 anti glare panel

Published by: Osprey Publications Limited. England EdilOrialOfflce: P.O. Box 5. Canterbury, Kent. England

$ubscriplion & BUSiness Office: P.O, 80x 25. 707 Oxford ROi.ld. Reading. Berkshire. England