Pioneer Aero’s Curtiss P-40E Restoration Update

It’s been a little while since we last looked in on progress with Claudio Coltri’s Curtiss P-40E Warhawk 41-13570 at Pioneer Aero Ltd. in Auckland, New Zealand. We are happy to report that the combat veteran fighter has just passed a major milestone in its progression towards first flight, with the installation of its wings on June 8th, 2020.

As readers will recall from our two previous articles about the restoration HERE and HERE, this Warhawk was recovered substantially intact from a Russian fresh water lake back in 1997. As such, a lot of original material has been available for incorporating into its restoration. Once she flies, the P-40 is destined for Italy, where she will be the first airworthy Curtiss Kittyhawk/Warhawk of any stripe to call the nation home since soon after the end of WWII! However, Italy does boast the sole-surviving, and incredibly well-preserved, Merlin-engined P-40L 42-10857 on display at the Museo Piana delle Orme in Latina, nearby the Anzio beachhead where she ditched in the sea on January 31st, 1944 with 2ndLt Michael Mauritz at the controls.

It will be great to see a P-40 in the skies over Italy when Claudio Coltri’s example finally arrives! Bravo to all concerned in the restoration of this remarkable airframe!

Moreno Aguiari

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.

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