Strana 77
41-36402, Lt. Dallas A. Clinger, 16th FS, 23rd FG, Kweilin, January 1943
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.
BUILT
INFO Eduard
77
February 2025