I came across this photo of five P-40Fs in North Africa in one of the photo albums of
the 359th FG Association's Facebook page. No distinctive markings that might identify
the outfit are visible, other than a design on the wheel cover of the second ship in line.


Don Page via 359th FG Association - Larger Image

An unidentified P-40F or P-40L at Benina Field near Benghazi, Libya... early 1943?
Looks like another Hawk is undergoing maintenance in the background.


National Archives and Records Administration via Fold3 - Larger Image

A closer look...


National Archives and Records Administration via Fold3

An anonymous Hawk passes an anti-aircraft emplacement while landing
at an unknown airfield somewhere in North Africa.


Project 914 Archives - Larger Image

A closer look at the Hawk...


Project 914 Archives

P-40E-1 41-25002 was photographed at El Kabrit, Egypt on February 10th, 1943 by Howard Levy.
This ship, built as a Kittyhawk IA for the British (RAF serial ET326), is said in some sources to
have been operated by the 87th FS, 79th FG, though I have not yet been able to confirm this.
I think it more likely that she was just passing through, on her way to the CBI.


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


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

P-40F-15-CU 41-19807 after a forced landing at El Saff, Egypt on February 21st, 1943. The cause
was listed as 'mechanical failure'... probably the engine quit. At the time, the ship was flown
by Dennis L. Fleak of the 45th Ferrying Squadron, 19th Ferrying Group.

This Hawk was repaired and delivered to the 316th Fighter Squadron, 324th Fighter Group but was
lost a little over six months later, on August 27th, 1943, due to structural failure. The pilot,
2Lt. Donald J. Ellis, was killed... just two days shy of his 20th birthday.


National Archives and Records Administration via Fold3 - Larger Image

P-40L 42-10493 was snapped at a North African airfield by a 3rd Service Group photographer
on February 27th, 1943, though I do not currently know which field. Though not clearly visible
in this image, it looks like the name 'Flaming Mame' has been applied to the nose in chalk.


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

A long-tailed P-40F or L shares space with some friends at Maison Blanche Airfield,
Algiers, Algeria in June 1943. In the foreground is an A-36, behind that is a Spitfire,
and next to the Spit is a P-38... or possibly an F-4. Nearer the hangar is a C-47 with
a name on the nose, but we can't make out what it says... the last word may be 'Pays'.
Off to the far right there's a couple'a foreign jobs... not sure what they are yet.


National Archives and Records Administration via Fold3 - Larger Image

A closer look at the Hawk...


National Archives and Records Administration via Fold3 - Larger Image

P-40L-5-CU 42-10644, from an unknown outfit, at Licata, Italy, July 17th, 1943.


National Archives and Records Administration via Fold3 - Larger Image

It's a Hawk. It's Merlin-powered. It's the MTO. That's all I got at the moment.
It's a pretty groovy shot, though, even if a bit blurrified.


Project 914 Archives - Larger Image

These two photos were taken during the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in March of 1944. I think
the location is Capodichino Airfield, but do not know which outfit(s) these P-40s may have been
with, although I seem to recall reading somewhere that the first shot may show a 99th FS ship.



National Archives and Records Administration via Fold3 - Larger Image

An unidentifed, forlorn P-40F keeps company with a few P-47s.


National Archives and Records Administration via Fold3 - Larger Image

A closer look...

Worthy of note is the non-standard national insignia, apparently hastily-updated in the field.


National Archives and Records Administration via Fold3 - Larger Image

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