Hawks in Captivity


Special Note: Many of the images on this page were scanned from photographic prints in my
personal collection, and are attributed accordingly. However, it appears that most, if not
all of these prints were made by photographing images contained in various publications. It
is not my intention to forego providing proper credit as to the original sources, but I
simply have no way of knowing from which publication(s) they may have been copied.


Japan


These first few photos all show P-40E #3 of Rikugun Kokugijutsu Kenkyusho, the
Army Air Technical Research Institute, known as 'Giken', at Tachikawa, Japan 1942-43.


Project 914 Archives (S.Donacik collection) - Larger Image


Project 914 Archives (S.Donacik collection) - Larger Image


Project 914 Archives (S.Donacik collection) - Larger Image


Project 914 Archives (S.Donacik collection) - Larger Image



This shot shows what looks to be a Giken P-40E, though I'm not sure if it's #3 or not.


Project 914 Archives (S.Donacik collection) - Larger Image



A Japanese Mainichi Newspaper singlesheet broadside, dated June 5th, 1942, showing a P-40E
adorned with a rather garish sharkmouth that was captured on Mindanao. These next few images
should put to rest the fanciful notion that P-40s and other allied aircraft were decorated with
sharkmouths because the Japanese, traditionally a fishing people, were supposed to be terrified
by the fabled predators of the deep, and therefore any Japanese pilot would be stricken with
fear at the sight of 'flying sharks'. 'Tis utterly laughable, but it made for good propaganda
back in those days, and still makes for a pretty entertaining if ridiculous 'war story' today.


Project 914 Archives



A somewhat clearer image, albeit heavily retouched.


Project 914 Archives (S.Donacik collection) - Larger Image



Another view, from a wartime publication.


Project 914 Archives



This view shows the same Hawk before her US national markings were painted over.


Found on the WW2 Aircraft Forums - Larger Image



I have conflicting info as to the location for this next photo, but the emblem on the
tail of this P-40E indicates that it was used by the IJAAF's celebrated Akeno Flying School.


Project 914 Archives (S.Donacik collection) - Larger Image



These next three photos show a P-40E found by American troops at Atsugi, Japan.


Project 914 Archives - Larger Image


Project 914 Archives - Larger Image


From: 'P-40 Warhawk in World War II Color' by Jeff Ethell (James G. Weir photo) - Larger Image



Some miscellaneous shots that I've yet to sort out...


From: 'Famous Airplanes of the World - January 1970' - Larger Image


From: 'Famous Airplanes of the World' - Larger Image


Project 914 Archives (S.Donacik collection) - Larger Image


Project 914 Archives (S.Donacik collection) - Larger Image


Project 914 Archives (S.Donacik collection) - Larger Image


Project 914 Archives (S.Donacik collection) - Larger Image



These next three photos show Japanese Naval personnel inspecting a P-40B and P-40E in the Philippines.


Project 914 Archives (S.Donacik collection) - Larger Image


Project 914 Archives


Project 914 Archives



Finland


P-40M KH-51 of LeLv 32 at Mensuvaara, August 1944. This ex-Soviet P-40 was the sole
airworthy example of the type to fall into Finnish hands during the Continuation War.

See more photos of this ship while still in Soviet markings, HERE...


From: 'Suomen Ilmavoimien Maalaukset Ja Merkinnat' by Keskinen, Stenman, & Niska - Larger Image



K. Stenman - Larger Image


Back to 'Miscellany'