Flt Sgt Copping's P-40 From The Egyptian Desert

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Member for

12 years 1 month

Posts: 442

The tail wheel doors are open so it looks like he tried to land it and the undercarriage gave way.

Member for

18 years 6 months

Posts: 554

Hence the oil drops visible on the 'hatch' photo ... it all falls into place ... :) (eating hat as he types!)

The P-40 has a canopy locking mechanism. Look at the winding handle, at the bottom you will see a latch and also holes in the disc, the latch engages with the holes allowing the canopy to be locked in a set position.

Rather than oil all the guy needed to do was reach through the gap between canopy and screen, lift the latch and wind the handle, hey presto maybe!

Member for

15 years 2 months

Posts: 544

This certainly was an entertaining thread!
However I think we should all be very concerned for the future of this aircraft.......

Member for

12 years 1 month

Posts: 442

Just realised the canopy is fully intact in the first video and not the second. Hmmm. I can't see the ring and bead gunsight in the second video either.

Member for

20 years 7 months

Posts: 315

Incredible and fanstatic to learn about this new P-40 survivor.
It's a time capsule - WOW, WOW, WOW!

Member for

14 years 5 months

Posts: 31

P-40

Gents

After a quick view of the video, this aircraft would be a P-40E-1CU.

Buz

Member for

12 years 5 months

Posts: 797

So much for Photoshop.

Like I said. Blindingly obvious it was real.....:rolleyes:

Member for

18 years 6 months

Posts: 554

Further to previous post on canopy winding handle, the lock peg can engage one of two holes as it rotates. Further observation is that the ignition switch is "OFF".

Procedure for engine failure during flight;
Maintain 100 mph
Land with gear retracted
Fuel off
Ignition off
Lower flaps
Battery off
Open cockpit
Land with as high an angle of attack as possible

Member for

20 years 7 months

Posts: 315

Gents

After a quick view of the video, this aircraft would be a P-40E-1CU.

Buz


Buz, it's a lend-lease aircraft then?

Member for

18 years 1 month

Posts: 1,318

Looks like a model to me.

DD

Still does, or? :D

Member for

15 years 5 months

Posts: 313

I believe I have found the identity of this aircraft. Anyone else figured it out yet?

Member for

14 years 5 months

Posts: 282

P40E

Buz

Did not think there were any physical differences (at least visibible in the video) between a Curtiss built P40E to British orders and one to lend lease orders.

DC, nope, but still looking. What do you think?

http://www.uswarplanes.net/p40.html

Mark

Member for

16 years 7 months

Posts: 10,647

Oh well, it was fun while it lasted!

Member for

18 years 1 month

Posts: 911

I decided to keep my opinions to myself on this one, but did feel that it was real all along. My only doubt, as Mark12 pointed out, was when the photo's were actually taken.

As a keen modeller, there was no way these images were of a model. This level of detail is just unobtainable. One comment that appeared over at WIX earlier on in the discussion tickled me. It observed that all of the historic aviation buffs thought it was a model, the modelling buffs were convinced it was CGI, so what was the conclusion of the CGI buffs on CGI related forums?? :D

Of course, the main concern is now for the future of this unique airframe. What a fantastic preservation opportunity...but how much of it is going to be plundered in the meantime? It is a tad worrying.

Also, when was the last time an airframe was discovered in such a complete state of preservation.

Either way, it is a remarkable discovery. I'm keeping my fingers firmly crossed.

Regards;
Steve

Member for

19 years 10 months

Posts: 917

Hi
Well just sitting down to humble pie for breakfast.:D

It's nice to be wrong...

So who in the UK is phoning the PM's office on monday to try get it out.
Save it first figure out who it belongs to after is my thoughts.

Now the important stuff
Did they send any whirlwinds to eygpt ..nope..:mad:

Cheers
Jerry

Member for

18 years 1 month

Posts: 911

Thanks MK959,

That P-39 was some find. Thanks for refreshing my memory. Still a rare occurrence in this day and age. I can't help wondering what else those desert sands conceal?

Regards;
Steve

Member for

15 years 10 months

Posts: 1,311

Can't help wondering what became of the pilot?

Member for

19 years 10 months

Posts: 917

Can't help wondering what became of the pilot?

Hi
That just crossed my mind as well.
cheers
Jerry

Member for

24 years 2 months

Posts: 10,168

I think from the evidence is that he forcelanded, closed the canopy and walked away? isnt that the remains of a parachute pack near the front?