Warbird aviation specialist Boschung Global has listed a 1942 Curtiss-Wright P40N-5 for sale on its platform. This Curtiss P-40N-5 was built in New York in 1942 and sent to the South Pacific. It served with the 7th Fighter Squadron of the 49th Fighter Group in the US Army Air Forces. Operating as “White 17” in New Guinea, it had unique nose art featuring the names “SPOOKY” on one side and “Delores” on the other. The principal pilots of the aircraft were Lt. James J. O’Neil and Lt. Harold W. Harris. This aircraft was credited with three aerial victory claims against Japanese aircraft. The first claim was made on March 12, 1944, when it shot down a Ki-43 Oscar in Brandi. The second and third claims occurred on November 24, 1944, during the Leyte campaign, both involving A6M Zero fighters.
On the aircraft, the kill markings are clearly visible on the original outer skin under the pilots’ names. During restoration, this original skin was carefully removed, preserved, and will accompany the aircraft. In 1944, this P-40 was involved in an accident, likely a ground loop, at Finschhafen, New Guinea. The USAAF then wrote it off as the unit switched to the P-38 Lightning. The service pushed the damaged airframe into a pit and left it there. About 50 years later, the buried remains were located. In 1999, the current owner and his team recovered the aircraft and began restoring it. Today, the original skin, still showing wartime kill markings and pilot details, is an important part of this historically significant warplane.
(Image credit: Boschung-Global)
The decision was made to return the aircraft to flying condition, and rebuilding started in 1999. The fuselage and internal equipment are nearly complete, the cockpit is almost finished, and the tail section is done. The project includes an engine with mounts and the landing gear. The original wings are part of this project, helping to confirm the airframe’s identity and history. There is also a good amount of new material for rebuilding the wings. In summary, this is a nearly complete aircraft with no major structural parts missing, according to Boschung Global.
Whenever possible, original components have been kept and used. The project also has a large inventory of both new and usable original parts. During the rebuild, the airframe has been set up to potentially add a second seat in the back. A detailed parts inventory and photographs can be provided upon request. The aircraft is currently being restored, and the current owner would be happy to continue with its restoration if a new owner were to request further restoration. The airframe is also being restored and has a total flight time (TT) that is in the restoration process. The aircraft’s serial number is 1044, and it is located in Australia. There is no registration number available at this time.
Curtiss made P-40 airplanes in different versions for 28 Allied countries. After several improvements, the P-40N model was introduced in 1944 for WWII. By the end of production, they had built 13,738 of these planes. No other fighter aircraft during the war served in as many places as the Warhawk. On December 7, 1941, when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, some P-40s took off and became the first American planes to shoot down Japanese aircraft. The P-40N on sale provides a unique opportunity to own an aircraft with three confirmed kills, according to Boschung Global. For more information about the aircraft on sale, visit https://www.boschungglobal.com/.
(Image credit: Boschung-Global)
