CRASH OF A P-40 WARHAWK / KITTYHAWK
ABOUT 15 MILES NW OF BATCHELOR AIRFIELD, NT
ON 23 AUGUST 1942

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Artwork:- Fifth Air Force in Profile by Michael Claringbould

P-40E #41-24868 (ET192) "Mary Lucille" of the 7th Fighter Squadron, 49th Fighter Group

 

On 23 August 1942, P-40E Warhawk / Kittyhawk, #41-24868 (British Serial ET192) "Mary Lucille", of the 7th Fighter Squadron, 49th Fighter Group, piloted by Lieutenant Larry Hanson, suffered a seized engine at 2,800 feet. Oil covered the windscreen and Lt Hanson bailed out and the aircraft crashed into a scrub paddock. The aircraft was basically destroyed and Larry Hanson was badly scraped and bruised.

The following is an extract from the Diary of Lieutenant Larry Hanson:-

Mon 8-24-42
What a day. Seeing old 14 (41-24868 GRB) didn't do so good on the alert flight yesterday, I took it up on an altitude hop, about 9:30 AM today. At 2750 she shook herself to pieces and shot oil all over the ship. That was 20 miles north of our field at 3500 ft. At 2800 ft I left. Landed in a good sized field very well bruised & shoulder & my groin so sore I couldn't walk for an hour. That was about 10:10. I sat on my stern and waited till about 3:00 PM when Vodrey found me & sent Steere & Young out to buzz me. Capt B & the Doct and Vodrey came out and picked me up in a jeep about 5:30. I was very tired, sore and sunburned and thirsty as hell, but very happy to be alive. Its funny how easy it is to get out of one of them. Just trim it very nose heavy, unfasten the belt, open the canopy & let go of the stick. You just shoot out. I did three outside loops & then pulled the rip cord (which I still have) and went on down very easily except for the landing. Poor old 14 blew up a bundle.

They all accused me of leaving it for a new plane. How about that. Could be?

 


Photo:- Photo Album 1st Lt. Joseph H. King

P-40E #41-24868 (ET192) "Mary Lucille"

 


Photo:- Photo Album 1st Lt. Joseph H. King

Nose Art on other side of P-40E #41-24868 (ET192) "Mary Lucille"

 


Photo:- Photo Album 1st Lt. Joseph H. King

P-40E #41-24868 (ET192) "Mary Lucille". Note "14" on the tail.

 


Photo:- Photo Album 1st Lt. Joseph H. King

P-40E #41-24868 (ET192) "Mary Lucille". Note "14" on the tail.

 


Photo:- Photo Album 1st Lt. Joseph H. King

P-40E #41-24868 (ET192) "Mary Lucille"

 


Photo:- Photo Album 1st Lt. Joseph H. King

1st Lt. Joseph H. King with "Mary Lucille"
nose art on a different P-40E.

 

REFERENCE BOOKS

Fifth Air Force in Profile (see Page 56)
by Michael Claringbould 

 

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I'd like to thank Gordon Birkett and Michael Claringbould for their assistance with this web page.

 

Can anyone help me with more information on this crash?

 

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This page first produced 2 April 2017

This page last updated 02 February 2020