Strana 27
41-5726, Capt. Philip G. Cochran, CO of 65th PS, 57th PG, USA, spring 1942
41-36402, Lt. Dallas A. Clinger, 16th FS, 23rd FG, Kweilin, January 1943
Philip Gerald Cochran was born on January 29,
1910, in Erie, Pennsylvania, and died on August 26,
1979. He joined the ranks of the USAAC in 1935 and
gradually worked his way up to become one of
the best P-40 pilots. As a Major, he commanded
the 33rd FG in North Africa. Later, at the rank
of Lieutenant Colonel, he became commander
of the 1st Air Commando Group in India.
The unit carried out a wide range of missions
from fighter escort of transport and bomber
aircraft to supply flights, including very
daring missions to supply British Long Range
Penetration Groups operating in enemy territory.
For his aggressiveness and willingness to take
risks on supply missions, Cochran earned the
respect of the troops. He scored two aerial
victories during the war and retired after
the end of hostilities. He returned to Erie,
Pennsylvania, and joined his brother’s company,
Lyons Transportation Lines, where he became
chairman of the board. He died of a heart attack
while fox hunting in 1979. His P-40E from spring
of 1942 carried the standard Olive Drab and
Neutral Grey livery, complete with yellow nose
decorations and squadron emblem behind the
canopy (both of which were carried by other
squadron aircraft as well). There was also
a Shillalah inscription on both sides of the nose.
Dallas Adellon Clinger was born on June 2,
1916, in Saint Anthony, Idaho. After completing
training in 1941, he was transferred to the
16th FS. He achieved his first victory in aerial
combat on July 31, 1942, when he shot down
an A6M. He followed this up by shooting down
a same type aircraft on November 12 of that year
and concluded his score with the 16th FS on
December 26, 1942, shooting down a Zero again.
He scored two more confirmed kills during the
war. Clinger remained in the service after the
war and retired in 1953 at the rank of Major.
He died on December 16, 1988 (aged 72).
This P-40E was originally intended to be part
of a supply for the RAF and was therefore
painted in American Du Pont colors similar to
the British shades of Dark Earth (No. 71-035),
Dark Green (No. 71-013) and Sky (No. 71-021).
The camouflage was retouched on the fuselage
sides and tail surfaces with another green
paint, probably Olive Drab. The pilot’s personal
symbol, the peeing cowboy, was painted on
both sides of the rudder. Another Clinger's P-40
bore a similar design. It is not entirely certain
whether this aircraft had the inscription “Holdin’
my Own” on both sides of the rudder, it is only
documented on the starboard side while there
are photographs of the port side without the
inscription. However, it may have been added
later. The 16th FS P-40s had their wheel discs
decorated with a blue field with white star and
probably with a red circle in the middle.
KITS 02/2025
INFO Eduard
27
February 2025