This amazing Bell P-39Q was located at the bottom of Lake Mart-Yavr within the Russian Arctic Circle in the summer of 2004. As with other recoveries over the years, it was discovered by a fisherman who saw the silt covered outline through the crystal clear water. The P-39Q sat on the bottom of a shallow lake at a depth of 5m, covered and buried up to the top of the propeller spinner in fine silt. Covered in silt, no markings were initially visible but after a little brushing, a red star appeared together with a yellow serial on the fin and rudder. With the serial now known, a search through the archives showed the pilot had disappeared on a transfer flight in November 1944.
Taking advantage of the good weather, the recovery team used air bags, tripod frames and a truck winch to bring the P-39Q to the shore. It caused concern that when the P-39Q emerged both the cockpit doors were still closed. Usually, if it was a water landing, one or both would have been jettisoned allowing for a quick exit. If the lake had been frozen, the team would still have expected one door to be open following any force landing. The reason soon became apparent; for some unknown reason, the pilot had not exited the P-39Q and his remains were located in the cockpit. Missing for 60 years, the pilot was buried on 6 October 2004 with full military honors at the Glory Valley Memorial, near the Litza Valley, NW of Murmansk.
The P-39Q was remarkably complete, only missing the starboard inboard leading edge. As is always the case with magnesium-based components, the wheel hubs and engine cam covers to the engine had dissolved over the years and disappeared. An interesting discovery was that the wing 0.5in machine guns had been removed. This in itself was not unusual, but in the area for the ammunition trays the team discovered six cans of American stew and spare lengths of ammunition. The 11 1/2 oz food cans contained cooked pork, lard, and onions with spices and had been packaged by Beerfoot Farms Company, Southboro. Massachusetts. USA. Not all lend-lease supplies were hardware! The main fuselage weaponry was in place including the Colt-Browning M4 37mm cannon that fired through the spinner with 30 rounds of ammunition. The two 0.5inch heavy machine guns were located over the cannon and fired through the propeller and each had 200 rounds of ammunition as well. The most amazing discovery was in the document case on the starboard door. The team located the maintenance record book for this P-39Q. Although a few pages had perished, the majority was still legible. Nearly all of the Russian information that follows concerning flight hours/dates, servicing and pilots’ names come from this unique document. The P-39Q was easily disassembled before being transported to Moscow where it received its export license. It was then transported to Jim Pearce’s facility in West Sussex where it was cleaned up and inspected and preservation.
This amazing and historic Bell P-39Q is currently owned by the Ira G. Ross / Niagara Aerospace Museum in Buffalo, New York. This rare aircraft is undergoing additional preservation and repairs to ensure the historical integrity of the aircraft in the same facility where it was built in 1944, the former Bell Aircraft Corporation manufacturing facility in Wheatfield, New York.
If anyone is interested in assisting in the restoration and preservation of this rare and historical aircraft, the museum is seeking donations, sponsors, and P-39 parts that could be used to restore this aircraft to a museum quality presentation, please contact museum officials at the following address.
Niagara Aerospace Museum
Restoration and Library Facilities
2221 Niagara Falls Blvd. Suite No. 7
Niagara Falls, New York 14304
716-297-1324
716-297-1366 Fax
[email protected]
Born in Milan, Italy, Moreno moved to the U.S. in 1999 to pursue a career as a commercial pilot. His aviation passion began early, inspired by his uncle, an F-104 Starfighter Crew Chief, and his father, a military traffic controller. Childhood adventures included camping outside military bases and watching planes at Aeroporto Linate. In 1999, he relocated to Atlanta, Georgia, to obtain his commercial pilot license, a move that became permanent. With 24 years in the U.S., he now flies full-time for a Part 91 business aviation company in Atlanta. He is actively involved with the Commemorative Air Force, the D-Day Squadron, and other aviation organizations. He enjoys life with his supportive wife and three wonderful children.
1 Trackback / Pingback
Graphic Design, Branding and Aviation Art