80th FS, 8th FG, Port Moresby, New Guinea, Autumn 1942

On August 26, 1942, the formation of Airacobras of 80th FS managed to ambush Japanese Zeros taking off from the Buna airbase and shoot down six of them during two attacks with two more claimed as damaged. The interesting fact is, that it all happened due to the “lucky” navigational error. Owing to the minimal activity of the Japanese air forces over New Guinea during the second half of 1942, these were the only kills credited to 80th FS in the course of 1942. George T. Helveston and Gerald T. Rogers claimed one Zero each, so it is therefore highly probable that Airacobra carrying Y letter code and kill marking belonged to one of these airmen. Black painted propeller spinner and vertical tail surface are very unusual and not documented on any other Airacobra operating over New Guinea. The aircraft also featured replacement rudder.

AP356, Lt. Edward J. Kurt, 35th FS, 8th FG, Milne Bay, New Guinea, 1942–1943

Airacobra named “Earthquake McGoon” was personal aircraft of Lt. Edward J. Kurt and flew with 35th FS from Gurney Field built on the Eastern peninsula of New Guinea island during 1942/43.

Lt. Kurt joined the squadron in August 1942 after he received his transfer orders at 15th FG based on Hawaiian Islands. His Airacobra sports the standard British camouflage scheme, however with many repair patches on the surface. There is a color touch up with darker grey paint on the aircraft nose lower part and patches in distinctly darker green color are visible on the fuselage. Another curiosity is the cockpit door salvaged from the Airacobra belonging to the sister 36th FS commander, Maj. McNay, who left the position in October 1942. The artwork adorning the left door was painted over during the aircraft service life and in the pictures taken on Gurney Field it only the white circle is apparent. Blue painted propeller spinner and top of the vertical tail surface indicate that this Airacobra originated from 39th FS inventory. A single bomber kill marking on the starboard side of the fuselage was probably achieved by another pilot of the same unit since Lt. Kurt did not claim any victory while serving with 35th FS.

67th FS, Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, November 1942

P-400 listed in the squadron records as “Old 13” was one of few original Airacobras delivered to 67th FS in the spring of 1942 and still serving on Guadalcanal in the beginning of 1943. Rudimentary conditions of the remote Pacific airbases and lack of the spare parts forced the ground personnel into many improvisations. Textbook example is the story of the “Old 13” Airacobra which already crash-landed during her service on New Caledonia and her wreck was cannibalized for the spare parts. 67th FS heavy losses after its transfer to Guadalcanal and the critical lack of the aircraft on the island caused the abandoned Airacobra wreck to be restored to the airworthy condition after a complex repair. The aircraft received a new wing and also a number of many fuselage panels and hatches had to be replaced. According to the surviving repair record the replacement parts were painted in Olive Drab/Neutral Grey colors and therefore the Airacobra sported the unique display of the British and American camouflage shades. Furthermore, the more powerful engine was installed, and the damaged propeller blade was replaced by another one balanced by pouring the melted plumb into its tip. The instrument panel was furnished with the essential gauges only, there were only holes after the rest of the instruments. This repaired Airacobra was christened “The Resurrection” and this inscription was painted on both sides of the fuselage. Unfortunately, no photographic evidence exists so the inscription appearance is based on another 67th FS airplane.

BX163, 80th FS, 8th FG, Port Moresby, New Guinea, December 1942

Airacobra BX163 served originally with 39th FS where she received the marking in the form of the numeral 18 and blue painted propeller spinner as well as the top of the vertical tail surface.

The inscription “Helen” painted on the port side of the aircraft nose originated from the service with 39th FS as well. At 80th FS the typical shark mouth and yellow letter V were added. The camouflage in Olive Drab and Neutral Gray colors was applied before the plane’s dispatch to the combat unit, same as with many other P-400s delivered to the Southwest Pacific area in the spring of 1942. On December 24, 1942, the Airacobra BX163 was damaged during the emergency landing at Kila Drome, one of many aerodromes built in the vicinity of Port Moresby for its protection.

Lt. Eugene A. Wahl, 39th FS, 35th FG, Port Moresby New Guinea, Summer 1942

One of the best known Airacobras was named “Wahl’s Eye/Pat” and participated in the fiercest air combats during the defense of Port Moresby. Its teethed mouth reminded more of the jaws of the deep-sea living fish than usual shark mouth. The blue propeller spinner and top of the vertical tail surface as well as the white number on it were a standard 39th FS marking. The airplane was flown by Lt. Eugene Wahl who was, together with several other 35th FG pilots, assigned for traineeship with 8th FG on New Guinea during the middle of May. On May 26 he claimed a victory over a Zero. Luck did not abandon him on June 9 when, after combat with Zeros from the famous Tainan Kōkūtai, he had to perform the emergency landing. However, after several days of hiking through the jungle he was able to rejoin his unit. Here he flew sorties until the end of June when the 39th FS was withdrawn to Australia to reorganize and re-equip with the more powerful P-38 Lightning fighters.