The Soaring by the Sea Foundation has unveiled a striking new look for its Curtiss P-40N Warhawk, “Currawong,” transforming it into a flying tribute to legendary aviator Gregory “Pappy” Boyington. This scheme, in honor of Pappy Boyington, will only remain on the aircraft for about a month and is specifically for the aircraft’s attendance at the MCAS Miramar Airshow at the end of this month. All of the paint used is temporary ‘movie paint’ that will then be washed off, and the aircraft will then be back in its original World War II RAAF ‘Currawong’ paint scheme. The repaint honors Boyington’s service with the American Volunteer Group (AVG)—the famed “Flying Tigers”—during 1941–1942. Boyington, who later became a Marine Corps ace and Medal of Honor recipient, flew with the AVG in China prior to rejoining the Marines. His tenure with the group was marked by friction with AVG leader Claire Chennault and ongoing disputes over credit for aerial victories. While Boyington claimed six victories with the AVG, official records credit him with fewer. Boyington was credited with two (not six) aerial victories in the AVG before he was dishonorably discharged. He departed the group before completing his contract, returning to the Marine Corps, where he went on to lead VMF-214, the celebrated “Black Sheep Squadron.”
To execute the historic makeover, the foundation enlisted aviation artist Chad Hill, of Django Studios, who had previously created the “Currawong” nose art. Hill shared insights into the project: “I was asked to help transform ‘Currawong’ into Pappy Boyington’s markings for the Miramar event,” Hill explained. “When I arrived, the team at Soaring by the Sea had already put in tremendous work. Under the fresh green-and-brown camouflage, I could still make out the nose art I’d painted earlier this year.”
This was Hill’s first shark-mouth painting project, a key element of AVG P-40 markings. Because Boyington flew an earlier-model P-40, Hill had to adapt the iconic design for the longer nose of the N-model Warhawk. “I spent time sketching the layout in pencil first to make sure the design would work,” he said. “It was also my first time working with ‘movie paint,’ which required multiple coats for each color. I used a large brush for the big areas, and two smaller brushes for details like the teeth and First Pursuit insignia. All told, the project took about three and a half days to complete.” Hill expressed gratitude to the foundation: “The Soaring by the Sea Foundation is a fantastic group of people who care deeply about preserving military aviation history. I’m honored to have been part of this project.”
A Storied Aircraft
Pacific Wrecks provides extensive details on the aircraft’s history. Built by Curtiss in Buffalo, New York, P-40N-1 Warhawk serial number 42-104730 (constructor number 28492) was delivered to the U.S. Army Air Forces before being disassembled, shipped to Australia, and reassembled. In August 1943, it was transferred to the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) as Kittyhawk A29-448 (also marked A29-1050) and joined No. 75 Squadron on September 17, coded GA-C. The aircraft saw combat over Milne Bay and was flown by several pilots, including Dick Sasse, Geoff Williams, Charles Bowly, John Bailey, and Ben Weston. The aircraft endured multiple landing mishaps throughout 1944. It was ultimately declared beyond repair and abandoned at Tadji Airfield on October 25, 1944, where it remained until recovered in 1974 by Charles Darby, funded by David Tallichet’s Yesterday’s Air Force. Shipped to New Zealand, the P-40 was stored in Auckland before undergoing a full restoration in the 1990s, completed by Pioneer Aero Restorations. Restored in its RAAF No. 75 Squadron “Currawong” markings, the aircraft returned to flight in 2000, making its public debut at the Warbirds Over Wanaka Air Show. The aircraft’s whole history is available HERE.
Looking Ahead
In addition to the repaint, Hill contributed to a unique side project: a PBY Catalina door skin featuring original Django Studios artwork he designed. The piece, depicting a WWII-style Canadian Goose “fighter” with guns blazing, will be available at the Soaring by the Sea Foundation’s silent auction fundraiser on October 17, 2025. For more information, visit www.soaringbythesea.com – For more information about Django Studios, visit www.djangostudios.com
