P-40E 41-13570 coming together at Pioneer Aero Ltd, Ardmore

[Dave Homewood]

An update on Pacific P-40s from John Saunders, posted yesterday, here:

www.facebook.com/groups/3073784359515670/posts/3347861972107906/

He says: "Two flights today - all good 🙂 - thanks to Frank Dave, Steve & Team, Bud & Butch...been a long journey:) - Congratulations Claudio Coltri - you have a lovely aircraft 🙂"

[Dave Homewood]

The P-40E did some more flying today, and the team also had a visit from 98 year old RNZAF veteran Laurie Hamlet.

Laurie was an RNZAF Fitter who served with No. 15 (F) Squadron at Whenuapai and in Tonga in 1942, and then at Espiritu Santo and at Kukum, Guadalcanal, in 1943. The guys replicated a photo with Laurie in the cockpit of a P-40 at Kukum, and 79 years later 🙂 I love it!

[ams888]

That photo recreation is so very cool.

[planewriting]

A special ZK-MOMent. How good to have Laurie Hamlet along for the occasion.

[retiredav8r]

It is recognized that the owner of any aircraft has the prerogative to paint an aircraft in any colours. I personally am looking forward to the day that at least one owner returns the aircraft to the colours it served. This aircraft has Russian service history, but fly's in colours it never served.

[Dave Homewood]

Apart from the red spinner which is a Pioneer Aero trademark quirk, the aircraft wears the colours that it rolled out of the factory in, I believe.

[retiredav8r]

Maybe the S/N, don't think the Russian flew with US insignia. It was retrieved from the Russian lake it was forced to land at. At the end of the day, "its just another P40"

[Antonio]

Feb 11, 2022 11:10:25 GMT 12 Dave Homewood said:

Apart from the red spinner which is a Pioneer Aero trademark quirk, the aircraft wears the colours that it rolled out of the factory in, I believe.

That is also my understanding
(If USSR insignia was to be used it would be nice to have its tactical number as well)

[saratoga]

Looks like it's buffed up OK.

[Deleted]

Great stuff, bravo Pioneer and Claudio for getting Laurie in the cockpit again!

[FlyingKiwi]

Here's a shot I took yesterday outside the hangar - taken with my phone so a bit grainy sorry.

[davidd]

Where are the grainy bits then? I'm having trouble here, but then I am 70 years old and with artificial lenses in both eyes! I think your camera is just fine.

[ErrolC]

I went to the great P-40 Bianca and Currawong Day put on by NZ Warbirds.
Nice colour handouts about the aircraft, Covid arrangements good, engaging speakers and of course a lovely display!

I'll just share the acknowledgements and thanks from NZ Warbirds - fantastic that they could bring everything together.

Intro and hosted by Brett Nicholls, short talks by Steve Cox and Frank Parker and then a standout aerial display of the two Kittyhawk's Currawong owned and flown by Liz Needham and Bianca (White 51) flown by Frank Parker - how good was it to finally see some aircraft in action and hear the noise - what a display!!
We also met a lovely gentleman Laurie Hamlet, 98 years young who worked on P40's during WW2 in Tonga and further on up to the Solomons - he absolutely loved seeing them in action Saturday.

THANK YOU's to
Ardmore Airport Ltd and Unicom for supporting us yet again and allowing the airfield to be closed for the 15 minute display.
Bianca's owner Claudio Coltri for investing in the Warbird community's future and allowing her to fly for us.
Liz and Frank for volunteering their own Kittyhawk to be part of a fundraising day for NZWA - it cost them a considerable amount to practice a few days leading up to Saturday and the display itself - thank you.
Pioneer Aero Ltd and their team for supporting the whole day with Bianca and being such a beautiful restoration representing the great talent we have here in New Zealand.
The businesses on the airfield that the closure caused a short disruption to.
NZ Warbirds Volunteers and Ground crew who lent a great hand moving aircraft around, tidying up, setting up and down, putting up safety barriers etc.

Links for the TVNZ Seven Sharp coverage (and Dave's podcast with Laurie Hamlet) here
My Flickr album

Liz, Frank and ground crew by Errol Cavit, on Flickr

Steve Cox Pioneer Aero by Errol Cavit, on Flickr

Frank Parker Test Pilot by Errol Cavit, on Flickr

Revving Up by Errol Cavit, on Flickr

Inbound P-40s! by Errol Cavit, on Flickr

Bianca Blasts Past by Errol Cavit, on Flickr

P-40E 41-13570 ZK-MOM by Errol Cavit, on Flickr

Liz Landing by Errol Cavit, on Flickr

[Antonio]

Love it!
MOM fresh out of the shop and CAG - well used!
Yeah

[planecrazy]

Thanks to all for posting, sharing, and the volunteers contribution, great stuff. Those last two shots really show the
difference between the start of the Kittyhawk line the 'E' model and the end of the line the longer tailed 'N' model.

[Dave Homewood]

Great report Errol.

[Deleted]

Thanks a lot Errol, looks like it was a great day!

[Deleted]

I was hunting to see if she has been put onto the Italian register (any ideas?) and found this photo taken by Chris England of 41-13570 on display "as recovered" at Sandown on the Isle of Wight, 21/06/1999. Quite the contrast to ZK-MOM!
Curtiss P-40E Warhawk 41-13570 Sandown 21-6-99 by Chris England, on Flickr

[ErrolC]

Had what seems to be its first public display in Europe at Stampe Fly-in, Antwerp-Deurne airport on 11 May.
Now OO-WHK.

flic.kr/p/2pUQBAd

[Dave Homewood]

Yes it has a different owner now. It never flew in Belgium under the ownership of the chap who had it restored.