Curtiss P-40N Projects for Sale in Australia via Courtesy Aircraft

March 4, 2020 Richard Mallory Allnutt (Chief Editor) Warbird Restorations 0
The freshly-restored fuselage of combat-veteran Curtiss P-40N-5 42-105472 sitting in its jig at the restoration shop near Melbourne, Australia. This fantastic aircraft is one of two examples of the famous fighter, along with a substantial parts cache, that are currently up for sale as one lot with Mark Clark's Courtesy Aircraft Sales. (image via Courtesy Aircraft Sales)


The Curtiss P-40 Warhawk is without doubt one of the most charismatic fighter aircraft to have served in WWII. However, until relatively recently, it was quite rare to see one flying. The type was virtually obsolete at the beginning of America’s entry into the war, but it was what was available in numbers, and served in many Allied air arms across the globe as a result. By war’s end, most P-40s had already been relegated to training units or other backwater roles, and few nations operated them much beyond that time. It seems surprising, therefore, that anything survived the mass-scrapping that took place during the late 40s and into the 50s. Despite these long odds, and perhaps owing to the legend the P-40 enjoyed via the flamboyant exploits of the Flying Tigers, the Warhawk has endured in the public’s mind, and earned a strong following in the ranks of those who restore and fly warbirds. The type has been enjoying a renaissance over the past two decades, with a cottage industry of parts suppliers and rebuild shops bringing the type back into prominence again. Many of today’s restorations have emerged from battlefield recoveries, especially from locations within the former Soviet Union and South Pacific.
Given the good number of P-40s which have undergone restoration over the past two decades, it is getting much harder to find rebuildable airframes on the market today, making it a nice surprise to note that two projects are for sale as a single package with Mark Clark’s Courtesy Aircraft Sales. The package includes two partially rebuilt Curtiss P-40N-5 Warhawks (42-105472 and 42-105744) along with a substantial collection of parts, and is located presently in Australia. The projects derive from recovery efforts at Finschhafen, Papua New Guinea about 20 years ago. They are described by Courtesy Aircraft Sales as follows…

Two Curtiss P-40N Projects – COMPLETE PACKAGE

This is a great opportunity to complete a P-40. Significant structural work has already been completed for Project #1. Project #2 includes many New Old Stock (NOS) parts, as well as parts recovered to be used as patterns.

The descriptions and photos are meant to give a broad overview of the material being offered. The condition and quantities are not guaranteed. Buyers are urged to make their own evaluation of the projects and parts offered. Paperwork includes all receipts, metal spec sheets, heat treatment sheets, release notes etc. that are with the projects.

Project 1: Curtiss P-40N-5 Warhawk 42-105472 Spooky (White 17)

History: Pacific War veteran – 8th Fighter Squadron, 49th Fighter Group. Unique combat history, 3 Japanese Kill flags. Extensive noted history supplied.

Pilot: Lt James O’Neil, 3 kills

Rebuild Status: Restored Fuselage from firewall to rudder.

Includes many original parts comprising original wreckage broken/damaged fuselage pieces, rear fuselage section with horizontal stabilizer; all with original paint and many parts in situ. Three Japanese kill flags visible on cockpit side wall.

Fuselage side windscreen piece with pilot’s name still visible.

Right hand fuselage side piece with crew chief’s name still visible.

Complete, original engine mounts, original side cowls.

Original set of wings with some damage and corrosion, but reasonably complete with undercarriage. Right hand wing damaged at trailing edge.

Project Number 2: Curtiss P-40N-5 Warhawk 42-105744 Flo-II (Yellow 63)

History: Pacific War veteran – 8th Fighter Squadron, 49th Fighter Group. Unique combat history.

Pilot: Lt Charles A. Peterson (3 kills?) Spring 1944 – promoted to Major and became 8th FS Commanding Officer

Rebuild Status: Fuselage ready to go into jig.

Includes many original parts, comprising original wreckage broken/damaged fuselage pieces, rear fuselage with tail, all with original paint and many parts in situ.

Fuselage side windscreen piece with pilot’s name still visible.

Miscellaneous:

Parts Kit
Many NOS parts such as trim wheel control, radiator shutter control, control column, pilot’s armor plating, bracketry and radio rack supports.

3 x sets Undercarriage Legs, Tail wheel Leg, Windscreen’s, Canopy’s, etc.

All new fuselage electrical boxes, main electrical box, external power receptacle box, lower cockpit electrical switch panel box.

Powerplant Section: Allison V1710 Engine with new engine cowl front bulkhead, original restored exhaust shrouds, steel engine mounts and trusses, cowl flaps.

Hamilton Standard Propeller and Hub .

SCR-274 Command Radios, IFF Transceiver, Antenna and Base.

Tooling for some parts.

Undercarriage legs, tailwheel leg, windscreen, canopy, original set of wings some damage and corrosion but reasonably complete.

New-build fuselage frames for stations: 1, 1A, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 15A, 16, 17 and 18

Beautifully built frames made to spec using drawings and multiple genuine parts as patterns, most assembled and primed with doublers, bracketry and radio rack supports.

New Firewall with all parts, front armor plate, armor plate behind pilots seat, rudder pedal assembly, cockpit panels and component support plates, hydraulic pump support, battery tray, tail wheel mount support box, all doublers and access panels.

Complete new upper longerons with all brackets, canopy tracks, doublers, primed. (Upper longerons to convert to two seater can be supplied)

Complete new lower longerons with brackets. New build fin kit.

Complete new fuselage stringer kit, including heavy tank bay stringers, new set stringer tie off brackets (44 of).

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Richard Mallory Allnutt (Chief Editor)
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Richard Mallory Allnutt's aviation passion ignited at the 1974 Farnborough Airshow. Raised in 1970s Britain, he was immersed in WWII aviation lore. Moving to Washington DC, he frequented the Smithsonian’s National Air & Space Museum, meeting aviation legends.

After grad school, Richard worked for Lockheed-Martin but stayed devoted to aviation, volunteering at museums and honing his photography skills. In 2013, he became the founding editor of Warbirds News, now Vintage Aviation News. With around 800 articles written, he focuses on supporting grassroots aviation groups.

Richard values the connections made in the aviation community and is proud to help grow Vintage Aviation News.

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About Richard Mallory Allnutt (Chief Editor) 1060 Articles
Richard Mallory Allnutt's aviation passion ignited at the 1974 Farnborough Airshow. Raised in 1970s Britain, he was immersed in WWII aviation lore. Moving to Washington DC, he frequented the Smithsonian’s National Air & Space Museum, meeting aviation legends. After grad school, Richard worked for Lockheed-Martin but stayed devoted to aviation, volunteering at museums and honing his photography skills. In 2013, he became the founding editor of Warbirds News, now Vintage Aviation News. With around 800 articles written, he focuses on supporting grassroots aviation groups. Richard values the connections made in the aviation community and is proud to help grow Vintage Aviation News.
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