From: 'AIR COMBAT 1939-1945 Vol.2 No.5' - Larger Image

'ABABA'

This P-40F, named 'ABABA', was flown by Lt. Jack Kauffman.
Here's the meaning behind the unusual moniker:

Huddled together in a circle, in the stillness of the mysterious Tunisian nights,
local natives often engaged in long conversations which, for Western ears
at least, sounded like an uninterrupted litany of ababa... ababa... ababa...
Inspired by these strange sounds Lt. Kauffman's ship was christened accordingly.


From: 'AIR COMBAT 1939-1945 Vol.2 No.5' - Larger Image

P-40F 41-14419 is identified as being flown by Lt. Kauffman, but appears
to be a different ship than 'ABABA'. So, more digging is indicated...


From: 'AIR COMBAT 1939-1945 Vol.2 No.5' - Larger Image

Boss Bird

P-40F 41-14570, #50, was the 86th C.O.'s ship.


From: 'AIR COMBAT 1939-1945 Vol.2 No.5' - Larger Image


From: 'AIR COMBAT 1939-1945 Vol.2 No.5' - Larger Image

Shown here with #50 are Lt. Dave Brown, right, and an unidentified wrench man.
On the tail are the names 'Dorothy' and 'Miss Killcat II' and a row of mission markings.


From: 'AIR COMBAT 1939-1945 Vol.2 No.5' - Larger Image

Mokes & Stokes

This fella is identified as SSgt. Mokes... currently I have no further info
about him, but the photo was apparently taken at Kairouan airfield.


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

So far as I know, this fella's name is not Stokes... but it rhymed with Mokes,
so I figured what the hey. Until I can identify the guy, I'll call him 'Stokes'.


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

Sharpening the Talons

A pair of 86th Fighter Squadron armorers tend to the fifties of their charge, Tripolitania, Libya.


National Archives and Records Administration - Larger Image


National Archives and Records Administration - Larger Image

A closer look at the guys and the guns. Dig that improvised workbench, y'all...


National Archives and Records Administration - Larger Image

And the 'bath tub'. The 86th FS emblem is not yet complete and has been applied over
some personal artwork. Was this ship transferred from another outfit? Gotta do some digging...


National Archives and Records Administration - Larger Image

'X60'

P-40F 41-14216.


Project 914 Archives (B.Wolf collection) - Larger Image

'Carol - E' & 'Kay'

P-40F X64 was flown by Lt. George St. Maur Maxwell and named 'Carol - E' after his niece.
The crew chief was S/Sgt. Merritt 'Boots' Pulis and the armorer Cpl. Windsor Nordin.
The name 'Kay' is on the rudder... someone's better half, no doubt...


Posted by 'soninlaw71' on the US Militaria Forum - Larger Image

A closer look...


Posted by 'soninlaw71' on the US Militaria Forum - Larger Image

Beute Hawk

I currently have little info about these photos of P-40F X66, except that she apparently
came to grief on a Corsican beach in 1943 and that the Wehrmacht fellas may be Kriegsmarine.


Michael Balss collection - Larger Image


Project 914 Archives (B.Wolf collection) - Larger Image

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