Pvt. Walter Kucharz was a guard with the 576th AAFBU at Bismarck Airport in 1944
and took alotta photos of the many transient aircraft that regularly passed through
Bismarck on their way to various destinations, often Alaska. Though the r/c number
on this P-40N is not entirely legible, the ship appears to be a P-40N-5-CU.


Project 914 Archives (Walter Kucharz photo) - Larger Image

A closer look...


Project 914 Archives (Walter Kucharz photo) - Larger Image

P-40K 42-10265, the first P-40K-15-CU. This ship was passing through
Bismarck on the way to Ladd Field at Fairbanks, Alaska in early 1944.


Project 914 Archives (Walter Kucharz photo) - Larger Image

42-10265 made it AOK to Ladd Field, where this photo was taken on February 9th, 1944.

The NARA caption for the photo reads:

"Engine heaters are used on a Curtiss P-40 while men work on the plane.
The temperature was -22° F at Ladd Field, Alaska. 9 February 1944."


National Archives and Records Administration via Fold3 - Larger Image

This photo, also taken by Walter Kucharz, shows another Curtiss bird; the C-76.
To be exact, YC-76A serial number 42-86931, the third of nine YC-76As to be built.
You can see more of Walter's photos showing this ship on the C-76 page.


Project 914 Archives (Walter Kucharz photo) - Larger Image

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