Kittyhawk I AK899
RCAF Serial 1051
This P-40 was built as a Kittyhawk I for the RAF. Having been purchased by the British Purchasing
Commission she did not fall under any Lend-Lease agreement, and therefore did not receive a US Army
serial number. She was given the RAF serial AK899 but was handed over to Canada and received
the RCAF serial 1051. All I currently know of her wartime service is that she served with 111 Sqn.
After the war many RCAF aircraft were auctioned off, including a number of Kittyhawks. This particular
ship is one of many that went to Fred Dyson of Seattle, Washington and she spent some time at Boeing Field
before being purchased by Tony Dire of Everett, Washington. AK899 spent many years on the roof of a gas
station before being shuffled around among several owners.
Sadly, in 2009, this Hawk was lost along with her owner/operator, Bob Baranaskas.
Blue Skies and Bright Stars, Bob...
AK899 was serving as a billboard on the roof of a 'Flying A' service station
in Everett, Washington when Fred Johnson snapped this photo in August of 1965.
From: 'P-40 Warhawk in World War II Color' by Jeff Ethell (Fred Johnson photo) -
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Thunder Over Michigan 2005
Mark Janovec snapped this groovy shot of AK899 at ToM 2005... more
HERE...
Mark Janovec photo -
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Oshkosh 2005
Trey Carroll photo -
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Trey Carroll photo -
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Trey Carroll photo -
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Trey Carroll photo -
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Geneseo 2007, 2008
This shot was taken by the webmaster at Geneseo in 2007.
a BuffaloWingz photo by Steve Donacik -
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Also taken by yours truly at Geneseo, in 2008; the last time I would see this Hawk.
More photos from Genny 2007 and 2008 will be added in the future.
a BuffaloWingz photo by Steve Donacik -
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