11th Fighter Squadron || 18th Fighter Squadron || 344th Fighter Squadron

Alaskan Hawks

P-36As of the 18th Pursuit Squadron at Elmendorf, Summer of 1941. The 18th, under the
command of Captain Norman D. Sillin, was the first USAAC outfit to arrive in Alaska in February
of 1941 and was assigned to the 28th Composite Group. Sillin's ship is the first in line here, with
the two command stripes on the fuselage. All of these Hawks were hand-me-downs from the
55th Pursuit Squadron, 20th Pursuit Group which had converted to the P-40 in 1940.


From: 'Top Cover for America the Air Force in Alaska 1920-1983' by John Haile Cloe via Wikipedia

Mr. and Mrs. Murphy

2Lt. John B. Murphy was one of the original members of the 18th Pursuit Squadron sent to
Alaska in February of 1941. Here we see the Lieutenant with his wife, Helen, in late 1941 or
early 1942, after the 18th began receiving new P-40Es. Murphy had previously served with the
55th Pursuit Squadron, 20th Pursuit Group before transferring to the 18th Pursuit Squadron,
35th Pursuit Group in October of 1940. He would transfer again in January of 1942 to the 11th
Pursuit Squadron, remaining with that outift 'til February of 1943, claiming half a victory in
that time. He would go on to score 6.25 more victories while flying the P-47 and P-51 with the
370th Fighter Squadron, 359th Fighter Group in the ETO. One of those kills, shared with his
wingman, Lt. Cyril Jones, Jr., was an Me 163 flown by Leutnant Hartmut Ryll of 1./JG 400.



American Air Museum in Britain (Uploaded by Pat Murphy) - Larger Image

Hawk on a Hawk

An 18th FS P-40E adorned with a bird of prey lifts off from Cold Bay, possibly during May of 1942.


From: 'The Aleutian Warriors - A History of the 11th Air Force & Fleet Air Wing 4' by John Haile Cloe - Larger Image

P-40K 42-45831

This P-40K was flown by Capt. George Hicks at the time this photo was taken at Amchitka
in January of 1944. Hicks had just taken command of the 18th FS and inherited this ship
from the squadron's previous CO, Major William Booth. The Hawk appears to be finished in
the RAF green/earth scheme, and it looks like the lower cowling from an OD/gray ship has
been fitted, probably from Hick's earlier mount. More on that in a future update.

In the background is 'Reina', Capt. Fred Beall's P-40K, crewed by Sgt. Morris Boynton.


From: 'P-40 Warhawk Aces of the Pacific' by Carl Molesworth (Morris Boynton photo) - Larger Image

Foxes in the Den

A pair of 18th FS P-40Ks gets some TLC out in the open at Amchitka, as was usually the case
in the Aleutians. In the background is a third ship, presumably getting some atttention under
cover of a temporary shelter; something of a rarity and a comparative luxury. The pilot of
'Dell' is currently unknown to me, but 'Flamin' Mame' was assigned to 1Lt. Paul Budesa.
The photo was taken October 12th, 1943.


National Archives and Records Administration via Fold3 - Larger Image

This blurry but highly informative color shot shows the same two ships from the photo
above... Paul Budesa's 'Flamin' Mame' is in the foreground and 'Dell' is third from the camera.


LtCol. Paul G. Budesa via Karl Budesa - Larger Image

Blue Fox on the Roll

P-40K-1 42-46311 taxis out at Amchitka, late 1943 or early 1944.


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

A closer look...


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