Complete P-40 Found in the Sahara | FerrariChat

Complete P-40 Found in the Sahara

Discussion in 'Aviation Chat' started by Spasso, May 5, 2012.

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  1. Spasso

    Spasso F1 World Champ

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    #1 Spasso, May 5, 2012
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    This from an email I received,
    The pictures are quite interesting if nothing else.
    *****************************************.

    "Shot down, or pilot became lost, sometime April, 1942. Aircraft found the last week of March, 2012, intact and complete.

    https://picasaweb.google.com/114682566226043469349/Zdj_samolot?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCKjxkt6rkNTFKg&feat=directlink#

    It’s an early Kittyhawk Mk1, no doubt from 260 Sqn RAF…..the pilot’s fate is currently unknown.

    Priceless artifact from WW2…."
    *************************************************
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  2. Spasso

    Spasso F1 World Champ

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    Here's another project for you Sparky.
     
  3. Bisonte

    Bisonte F1 Veteran
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    Wow, it's amazing how clean all the surfaces look. But I guess they've effectively been sandblasted. Very cool. :)
     
  4. 2NA

    2NA F1 World Champ
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    Looks like it might be restorable even after 70 years outside.
     
  5. Spasso

    Spasso F1 World Champ

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    I am amazed the gauges are still in it.
    Those are the first things to go.
     
  6. open roads

    open roads F1 Rookie

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    Just fantastic.

    What do you think the guy in the first picture is holding?
     
  7. Bisonte

    Bisonte F1 Veteran
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    #7 Bisonte, May 5, 2012
    Last edited: May 5, 2012
    That looks like silk to me, so I'm thinking it's a parachute.

    Wow, I just looked through the whole gallery. I think it's amazing that everything seems to still be there. The gun boxes are even still loaded.

    This must be a super remote spot for folks to not have carted off those loose bits for their materials, or as souvenirs.
     
  8. kylec

    kylec F1 Rookie
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    Closed canopy and tail wheel down. My guess is he made it out.
     
  9. CornersWell

    CornersWell F1 Rookie

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    Neat! It makes you wonder what other lost-to-time treasures are out there awaiting discovery.

    CW
     
  10. 2NA

    2NA F1 World Champ
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    Only to die of exposure in the middle of nowhere. :(
     
  11. Jedi

    Jedi Moderator
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    OMG!!! That's just amazing! Is this how it was found? How did it go unseen all
    these years? Or is it just such a bloody huge place that the odds were small?

    Jedi
     
  12. CornersWell

    CornersWell F1 Rookie

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    That would be my guess.

    CW
     
  13. sparky p-51

    sparky p-51 Formula 3

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    Boy would I love to have that Kitty. Be up and flying in 2 years or less. Looks like about all is there except belly junk,spinner front and what the camel jox are carting off.
     
  14. ralfabco

    ralfabco Two Time F1 World Champ
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    $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

    Someone just found some gold.
     
  15. JeremyJon

    JeremyJon F1 Veteran

    Jul 28, 2010
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    i can only imagine what waits under another shifting dune out there, amazing....we've come across 30-40's machines and equipment in the far north here, left abandoned and still sitting where parked....nothing as valuable as that though :)
     
  16. FarmerDave

    FarmerDave F1 World Champ
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    I suppose those rear control surfaces were fabric?
     
  17. Bob Parks

    Bob Parks F1 Veteran
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    All the control surfaces on the P-40 were fabric covered as was the P-39...and B-17, B-24. The P-51 rudder was fabric covered. The B-29's control surfaces were fabric covered but the P-47 had all metal throughout.
     
  18. Spasso

    Spasso F1 World Champ

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    Yes
     
  19. Spasso

    Spasso F1 World Champ

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    All we need is a CH47 to run out there and sling it.:)
     
  20. 355dreamer

    355dreamer F1 World Champ
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    Apparently, it's location is now known and it is already getting picked apart and being used for target practice. Sad really.
     
  21. Chupacabra

    Chupacabra F1 Rookie
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    @?$&!
     
  22. FarmerDave

    FarmerDave F1 World Champ
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    That's depressing.

    "This is why we can't have nice things."
     
  23. alexm

    alexm F1 Veteran

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    Underwear I'm guessing.. first thing to chuck after such a landing!

    Least not in a jungle and pile of rust!

    I hope it gets rescued pronto now known location.
     
  24. donv

    donv Two Time F1 World Champ
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    Really? I heard it was already in the US, being restored... but that was just internet rumor, so I don't know how much stock to put in it.

     
  25. PSk

    PSk F1 World Champ

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    Pete
     

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