By: Steve Newman
- 3rd May 2012 at 12:05Permalink- Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
What a great shame, the story of the pilot, the loss and the airframe all being lost to us... Think I'd rather it did go on Ebay, least it would have a chance to pass on its story/secrets to someone interested, rather than suffer the death of a thousand screwdrivers...
By: Desoto
- 3rd May 2012 at 12:43Permalink- Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Paul,
The knob which has been unscrewed is fron the hydraulic hand pump lever.
The plaque which has been removed is the canopy operation detail placard these were either alloy or a plastic type placard. The gear which is now sitting on the cockpit floor looks like the lower gear out of the reduction gear housing. It does become rather painful to sit here and watch a gradual decline in what was initially such an amazing find.
Cheers,
Ash.
By: skeeler
- 3rd May 2012 at 14:59Permalink- Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Zooming pictures 47 and 48 of https://picasaweb.google.com/114682566226043469349/Zdj_samolot?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCKjxkt6rkNTFKg&feat=directlink#
I can make out some numbers on the engine block/cylinder heads. I'm guessing that these are just part numbers but just in case they could be significant here they are:-
'40635' on the right
'34354 followed by what looks like 'pp and an A or 4 in a circle, on the left.
'41602' on the left.
Also the letters 'AUST' printed in black on the inside of the engine cowling on the right - could be part of the word 'EXHAUST' ?
Sorry if these are just 'red herrings' but I haven't seen anyone referring to these details?
By: Dobbins
- 3rd May 2012 at 15:25Permalink- Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Am I correct in seeing that the dataplate with the serial no. has been removed? Well atleast someone in the world knows the true identity of the aircraft. Even if they don't know they know it. :mad: Utterly asinine.
Shay
____________
Semper Fortis
Could/would the pilot perhaps have removed it? I can't imagine these locals knowing its significance, or indeed where to find it.
By: paulmcmillan
- 3rd May 2012 at 16:59Permalink- Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Zooming pictures 47 and 48 of https://picasaweb.google.com/114682566226043469349/Zdj_samolot?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCKjxkt6rkNTFKg&feat=directlink#
I can make out some numbers on the engine block/cylinder heads. I'm guessing that these are just part numbers but just in case they could be significant here they are:-
'40635' on the right
'34354 followed by what looks like 'pp and an A or 4 in a circle, on the left.
'41602' on the left.
Also the letters 'AUST' printed in black on the inside of the engine cowling on the right - could be part of the word 'EXHAUST' ?
Sorry if these are just 'red herrings' but I haven't seen anyone referring to these details?
skeeler
I can see where you are coming from, have you got a cleaner processed image of these numbers?
Thanks
Paul
By: Bob
- 3rd May 2012 at 17:03Permalink- Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
24 pages and I've gone from an initial feeling of sceptism (very good model maker) to a peak of delight (actual video footage) that something real had been found, and am now cast into a pit of despair and anger that this is just being ripped apart by either people who don't know better or it is being destroyed in some symbolic anti-western, anti-infidel demonstration. If it really was on "military lands" as some have suggested then their security sucks...
By: Shay
- 3rd May 2012 at 18:03Permalink- Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
How come there hasn't been any media attention? (none that I'm aware of) There are tons of new media outlets, online and not, regergitating the same soggy Burmese Spitfire stories over and over again. But not one mention of this facinating story. Not a single peep in the news.
EXTRA EXTRA, READ ALL ABOUT IT!!!"Lost Fighter Found in Desert After 70 Years""Evidence of Lost Pilot's Bleak Last Moments Found""Royal Air Force Pilot's Fight to Stay Alive in the Eygptian Desert""Ignorant Locals Stealing and Destroying WW2 Time Capsule Fighter"
I'd sure tune-in. Maybe what this Kittyhawk needs is more mainstream attention besides Wing-nuts and Modelers websites.
By: skeeler
- 3rd May 2012 at 18:27Permalink- Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
skeeler
I can see where you are coming from, have you got a cleaner processed image of these numbers?
Thanks
Paul
Paulmcmillan,
I tried enhancing the pictures in various ways with iPhoto, but found that the zoom feature in picasaweb where the pictures are displayed was better. I'll continue to play around with the images iof somebody can confirm whether it's worth doing. There's not a lot of point unless the numbers could be either an engine serial or a copy of the airframe number, but the latter seems somewhat doubtful as engines get changed.I also looked at the cockpit shots on pictures 45 and 46 and there is an intriguing rectangle beneath the 'coolant warning' symbol to the right of the instrument panel. Is this where the ID Plate would have been located. It looks as if there is either a plate beneath obscured by muck or a plate has been removed and ingrained dust leaving a vague impression of figures remains? I'll continue playing around with the images to see if I can get any further info.
By: Propstrike
- 3rd May 2012 at 18:29Permalink- Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
The internet works both ways, and it is likely that the 'finders' know about the great interest in their discovery, and with satellite connections may well be reading threads such as this one.
It has seeped into the public consciousness that ' Warbirds = big bucks ' so they are unlikely to damage/destroy their asset. Also, as the ones who found it ( if they are ) they will probably feel a sense of ownership/protection , and given its ultra remote and hostile environment, it is not available for every passing idiot to tear a lump out of it.
If they are discrete as to its whereabouts , and sensible, the outlook should be encouraging.
Posts: 83
By: Steve Newman - 3rd May 2012 at 12:05 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
What a great shame, the story of the pilot, the loss and the airframe all being lost to us... Think I'd rather it did go on Ebay, least it would have a chance to pass on its story/secrets to someone interested, rather than suffer the death of a thousand screwdrivers...
Steve
Posts: 442
By: Dobbins - 3rd May 2012 at 12:39 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
At this rate the RAFM won't want it anyway. A great opportunity lost.
Posts: 31
By: Desoto - 3rd May 2012 at 12:43 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Paul,
The knob which has been unscrewed is fron the hydraulic hand pump lever.
The plaque which has been removed is the canopy operation detail placard these were either alloy or a plastic type placard. The gear which is now sitting on the cockpit floor looks like the lower gear out of the reduction gear housing. It does become rather painful to sit here and watch a gradual decline in what was initially such an amazing find.
Cheers,
Ash.
Posts: 797
By: Snoopy7422 - 3rd May 2012 at 14:16 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Numpty.
That has to be about the most prattish comment I've seen on here, which is saying something...
Posts: 550
By: JägerMarty - 3rd May 2012 at 14:32 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Oh well, their weapons won't need zero'ing!
The FHC FW190 was in worse condition than this P40, the cockpit was gutted IIRC
Posts: 159
By: skeeler - 3rd May 2012 at 14:59 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Zooming pictures 47 and 48 of https://picasaweb.google.com/114682566226043469349/Zdj_samolot?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCKjxkt6rkNTFKg&feat=directlink#
I can make out some numbers on the engine block/cylinder heads. I'm guessing that these are just part numbers but just in case they could be significant here they are:-
'40635' on the right
'34354 followed by what looks like 'pp and an A or 4 in a circle, on the left.
'41602' on the left.
Also the letters 'AUST' printed in black on the inside of the engine cowling on the right - could be part of the word 'EXHAUST' ?
Sorry if these are just 'red herrings' but I haven't seen anyone referring to these details?
Posts: 442
By: Dobbins - 3rd May 2012 at 15:25 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Could/would the pilot perhaps have removed it? I can't imagine these locals knowing its significance, or indeed where to find it.
Posts: 2,318
By: TEEJ - 3rd May 2012 at 15:33 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Was the dataplate removed or passed onto the people featured in the following image? Were they UK representatives from the Embassy?
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-SEWJjeH4L1w/T5Z4mZ8AmKI/AAAAAAAAAJU/T4oOkjZWdgE/s720/DSC01767.JPG
Posts: 8,960
By: TonyT - 3rd May 2012 at 15:40 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
gear in cockpit is probably where some muppet hurled it throughh the screens
Posts: 442
By: Dobbins - 3rd May 2012 at 15:46 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Whoever they are they obviously don't want us to know. It's probably just a pile of scrap to them.
Posts: 485
By: Jayce - 3rd May 2012 at 16:22 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
I believe they're members of the Polish & Egyptian team who first stumbled across it.
Posts: 8,464
By: Bruce - 3rd May 2012 at 16:44 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
No, the FW190 was absolutely complete when it was found. The cockpit was gutted in a similar way to this P40.
I know that 190 rather intimately!
Bruce
Posts: 2,597
By: paulmcmillan - 3rd May 2012 at 16:59 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
skeeler
I can see where you are coming from, have you got a cleaner processed image of these numbers?
Thanks
Paul
Posts: 3,566
By: Bob - 3rd May 2012 at 17:03 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
24 pages and I've gone from an initial feeling of sceptism (very good model maker) to a peak of delight (actual video footage) that something real had been found, and am now cast into a pit of despair and anger that this is just being ripped apart by either people who don't know better or it is being destroyed in some symbolic anti-western, anti-infidel demonstration. If it really was on "military lands" as some have suggested then their security sucks...
:mad:
Posts: 24
By: Shay - 3rd May 2012 at 18:03 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
How come there hasn't been any media attention? (none that I'm aware of) There are tons of new media outlets, online and not, regergitating the same soggy Burmese Spitfire stories over and over again. But not one mention of this facinating story. Not a single peep in the news.
EXTRA EXTRA, READ ALL ABOUT IT!!! "Lost Fighter Found in Desert After 70 Years" "Evidence of Lost Pilot's Bleak Last Moments Found" "Royal Air Force Pilot's Fight to Stay Alive in the Eygptian Desert" "Ignorant Locals Stealing and Destroying WW2 Time Capsule Fighter"
I'd sure tune-in. Maybe what this Kittyhawk needs is more mainstream attention besides Wing-nuts and Modelers websites.
Shay
____________
Semper Fortis
Posts: 159
By: skeeler - 3rd May 2012 at 18:27 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Paulmcmillan,
I tried enhancing the pictures in various ways with iPhoto, but found that the zoom feature in picasaweb where the pictures are displayed was better. I'll continue to play around with the images iof somebody can confirm whether it's worth doing. There's not a lot of point unless the numbers could be either an engine serial or a copy of the airframe number, but the latter seems somewhat doubtful as engines get changed.I also looked at the cockpit shots on pictures 45 and 46 and there is an intriguing rectangle beneath the 'coolant warning' symbol to the right of the instrument panel. Is this where the ID Plate would have been located. It looks as if there is either a plate beneath obscured by muck or a plate has been removed and ingrained dust leaving a vague impression of figures remains? I'll continue playing around with the images to see if I can get any further info.
Posts: 442
By: Dobbins - 3rd May 2012 at 18:28 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Because, as Gordon Beckles once wrote, 'There is glamour about the word "Spitfire"'. The general public wouldn't know a P-40 from a B-52.
Posts: 3,902
By: Propstrike - 3rd May 2012 at 18:29 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
It hurts to be so wrong :(
Posts: 544
By: Augsburgeagle - 3rd May 2012 at 20:39 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
I'm disappointed to see that my worries about the future of this aircraft were sadly well founded
Posts: 2
By: AWOT - 3rd May 2012 at 21:10 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
P-40
Some new information on the aircraft:
Photography is Slawomir Lubomski of Gefizyka Toruń
Sam Curtis is a plane codenamed Kittyhawk III side-HSB
belonged to 260 Squadron,
And here are photos taken by James Perk of Geofizyka Toruń: https://picasaweb.google.com/114682566226043469349/Airplane?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCKr-tIXt1ubCmAE&feat=directlink
AWOT