6th Fighter Squadron || 12th Fighter Squadron
19th Fighter Squadron || 44th Fighter Squadron || 70th Fighter Squadron
73rd Fighter Squadron || 78th Fighter Squadron

Two-Ship

Capt. Al Johnson in P-40F 41-14825, named 'Miss Alma' leads 1Lt. Ray Morrisey in P-40F
41-14102 on a patrol near the Russell Islands during January or February of 1943.

During this period, P-40 outfits on Guadalcanal, the 44th, 68th, and 70th, regularly
flew mixed formations, swapping pilots and aircraft when necessary: Morrisey's ship
here had been borrowed from the 68th Fighter Squadron. Both Johnson and Morrisey
were KIA on February 13th, 1943, soon after this photo was taken


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

The Twerps

Captain Frank Leon Gaunt and P-40M 42-5677, 'The Twerp II', at Munda, mid-1943.


Project 914 Archives - Larger Image

Mel 'Doc' Wheadon cruises along off New Georgia in 'The Twerp II' during mid-1943.


Project 914 Archives - Larger Image

Gaunt's earlier ship, P-40M 42-5673.


Project 914 Archives - Larger Image

Evadee

1Lt. Grant Smith with a P-40F of the 44th. Smith was shot down on August 12th, 1943 while
escorting B-24s on a mission to hit Kahili Airfield, Bougainville, Papua New Guinea. After
bombing the target, the formation was hit by roughly 30 Zeroes on their way home. Apparently
he bagged one of the Japs before he was shot down over Choiseul Island. He bailed out, was able
to evade Jap patrols, and was rescued with the help of friendly natives, being picked up by a
PBY crew from VP-23 on August 30th. Smith went on to fly P-51s with the 325th Fighter Group
in Italy, adding one victory to the two he scored in the Pacific. He also flew Thuds in
Vietnam, then F-111s with the 20th TFW in England, and retired a Brigadier General.


Project 914 Archives - Larger Image

44th Merlins Get Some TLC

Maintaining P-40Fs of the 44th FS at Fighter Two on Guadalcanal, September 1943.


Project 914 Archives - Larger Image

A closer look at the ship on the left...


Project 914 Archives - Larger Image

This short-tailed P-40F suffered an oopsie at an unknown (to me) airfield in
the Pacific probably during late 1943. More digging is required...


Project 914 Archives - Larger Image

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