P-40M Kittyhawk NZ3119

[M_Sinclair]

I was able to get my butt down to the EAA Airventure airshow in Oshkosh, Wisconsin this year. My first ever Airventure. My first airshow in many many years. And my first airshow since getting into photography.

While there were numerous aircraft that caught my attention, this one I knew I had to get as many photos as I could. I should have shot more but there's just so much to see you can't really afford to linger in any one spot for too long.

So why is this aircraft so interesting? Well, as I was walking past I couldn't help but notice that she looked like she was fresh from a factory in 1943. The owner noticed me and said that's actually a pretty accurate statement!

The restoration had been completed only two weeks prior. And this restoration was as complete as humanly possible. This is exactly how the aircraft looked in 1943 when she was reassembled and made ready for operations in the PTO. As the owner said to me, Rosie the riveter was good, but we had the time to make her perfect. And boy is she ever perfect. The gun sight is fully functional. There's a gun camera complete with film! Enough talk. Here are a few photos with far more up on my flickr page.

Thanks for looking.

20160731-MJS_8741 by _m_sinclair, on Flickr

Another point of interest. This isn't just any P-40M that happened to be painted in these colours. This really is NZ3119! These are the same colours she wore way back in 1943. While this aircraft is not known to have scored any kills, the pilot of this aircraft did get a kill in his previous aircraft.

20160731-MJS_8520 by _m_sinclair, on Flickr

20160731-MJS_8530 by _m_sinclair, on Flickr

20160731-MJS_8559 by _m_sinclair, on Flickr

20160731-MJS_8561 by _m_sinclair, on Flickr

Although he did not fly this particular P-40M, this aircraft was signed by the highest scoring ace in the RNZAF, Geoffrey B Fisken.

20160731-MJS_8548 by _m_sinclair, on Flickr

The level of detail is jawdropping on this bird. Everything on this aircraft is as it was when it was new in 1943. The individual markings were not just copied in appearance. But they were applied was using the original technique.

20160731-MJS_8566 by _m_sinclair, on Flickr

20160731-MJS_8569 by _m_sinclair, on Flickr

20160731-MJS_8575 by _m_sinclair, on Flickr

20160731-MJS_8579 by _m_sinclair, on Flickr

I had no idea P-40's had a cloth liner in the wheel wells. Wonder how long they actually lasted?

20160731-MJS_8581 by _m_sinclair, on Flickr

I learned that along with keeping out FOD, there was a second purpose to taping the guns. It indicated to the pilot the guns were armed and ready to go.

20160731-MJS_8594 by _m_sinclair, on Flickr

20160731-MJS_8599 by _m_sinclair, on Flickr

Nice chocks!

20160731-MJS_8617 by _m_sinclair, on Flickr

If I ever get the chance, I will happily shoot far more detail shots of this magnificent warbird.

If you would like to see more just click the link to get the whole album.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/92554273@N07/albums/72157672652776801/with/29616383635/

Cheers!

-matt

Edited September 12, 2016 by M_Sinclair

[TonyTiger66]

Thanks for sharing these photographs Matt .

It really is an outstanding aircraft and one incredible restoration. This bird must be worth a fortune.

I'm in the antipodes, my wife is from NZ. These photos are superb to help with modelling. There are fascinating details like the start and pattern of discolouration on the exhaust stacks, the mirror to the port top of the canopy, the stunning white marking stripe pattern around the leading edge.

Looks like you had a wonderful day, thanks again for sharing

Best regards

Tony

[M_Sinclair]

Thanks for sharing these photographs Matt .

It really is an outstanding aircraft and one incredible restoration. This bird must be worth a fortune.

I'm in the antipodes, my wife is from NZ. These photos are superb to help with modelling. There are fascinating details like the start and pattern of discolouration on the exhaust stacks, the mirror to the port top of the canopy, the stunning white marking stripe pattern around the leading edge.

Looks like you had a wonderful day, thanks again for sharing

Best regards

Tony

Happy to be of some service! Yeah she is beautiful. I forgot to mention that while at Airventure 2016 this p-40 also won the award for Grand Champion - World War II class.

-matt

[Pinback]

That is one fine restoration - thanks for sharing Matt

 

Edited September 23, 2016 by Pinback
Sentence duplication

[LDSModeller]

Hi Matt,

 

Don't know if you read my comments when you posted this on Hyperscale.

 

The aircraft may well be restored correctly in the airframe sense, but the markings are not correct.

 

As an FYI to modellers:

 

This aircraft when received by the RNZAF May 21 1943, was assigned to OTU 2 for training in New Zealand.

Those fuselage roundels were only worn overseas, training aircraft in 1943 wore a C type fuselage Roundel.

The Blue is also the wrong colour, should be closer to Humbrol Blue (Hu 25) as in this P 40 being retored at the

RNZAF Museum

RNZAF Roundel color for training Aircraft

 

RNZAF Fighter Aircraft did not wear Squadron codes in the forward theatre, see link of an "M" being

serviced in the Islands.

RNZAF P40M

 

The XO codes are for 16 squadron, see Youtube link to see16 Sqn P 40's flying in New Zealand (E-1 Model)

Note the early style Pacific Roundel on Wings sans bars.

16 Sqn P40

 

Interestingly, Geoff Fisken flew for a short time NZ3118 which served in combat.

 

Regards

 

Alan

 

[F-32]

Wow, that's a gorgeous machine

[M_Sinclair]

Thanks all! She is absolutely stunning.

 

Hi Alan. I did indeed see your post on Hyperscale. Wish I could explain the reason for the markings but I've no idea. As far as I know it is indeed NZ3119. Why she is coded for 16 Squadron is a mystery. I wish I had known this as I certainly would have inquired. The airframe itself is certainly spot on and is a treasure for reference. 

 

-matt