JOHN VOSS COLLECTION
No. 4401. Curtiss 87A-3 Kittyhawk Mk.II (A29-58 c/n 16733) Royal Australian Air Force
Photographed at Moorabin Air Museum, Melbourne, Australia, 1992, by John Voss

Curtiss 87A-3 Kittyhawk Mk.II

07/03/2005. Remarks by John Voss: "Ex USAAF P-40E 41-5741 served with 77 and 76 Squadron and 2 OTU (Operational Training Unit).

It arrived at 77 Squadron, Pearce, Western Australia on April 13, 1942; on April 16, while on take off at Dunreath strip Western Australia this 77 Squadron aircraft encountered some heavy sand causing it to tip onto its airscrew and causing extensive damage including writing off the engine and landing gear, the pilot was Flight Lieutenant Daryl Maxwell Sproule.

The aircraft was issued back to 77 Squadron on July 23, 1942; while with 77 Squadron in late 1942 it had on the cowling a picture of Pluto running flat out chasing a Jap who was trying to sprint away; this was the usual aircraft of Pilot Officer Dick Sudlow in late 1942.

On February 3, 1943 it was sent to 3 Air Depot and from there issued to 76 Squadron on March 13; on May 9, 1943 it was received at 2 OTU from 76 Squadron; on June 19, 1944 it was bounced on landing at Mildura, Victoria and the landing gear collapsed causing a good deal of damage (pilot error?); approval given to write-off on December 19, 1947."


Created July 3, 2005