Hi all,
I'm looking for information about the a/c flown by the 35th FG squadrons during WW2.When they arrived to Australia in 1942 they all were equipped with P-39 (or P-400?), and they fought i New Guinea with those a/c.
at the end of 1942, the 39th FS was equipped with P-38F, but I don't know when did the passage happen.
Towards the end of 1943 also the 40th and 41st gave up their P-39, for P-47.
Could you show me a table like that:

39th FS: P-39 from april 1942, P-38 from xxx 1942, P-47 from xxx 1943.

Thanks in advance

Max

Hi Max,..again
 
They flew P-400s April-July 42 as a All P-400 Group.
 
Examples per 39thPS/FS
 
BW102 39th FS/ 35thFG
BW172 39th/40thPS/35th PG
AP338 39thPS /35thPG 3/42
AP348 39thPS /35thPG 3/42
AP343 39thPS/35th PG
AP361 39thPS/35th PG
AP375 39thPS/35th PG #75 "One for the road"
BW145 39thPS/35th PG
BW147 39thPS/35th PG
BW153 39thPS/35th PG
BW166 39thPS/35th PG
BW169 39thPS/35th PG
BW179 39thPS/35th PG
BX144 39thPS/35th PG
AP333 39thPS/35th PG-36thFS/8thFG
AP374 39thPS/35th PG-36thFS/8thFG
 
The last wo are examples when they "spliced the types" with the P-39D/Fs in late 42/43 with both groups (8th &35th).
 
This result was caused by collateral research per the P-39s and to chase down the post 19/02/42 Darwin history of 2nd Lt Robert McMahon and others per ex 17thPS(Prov) who went over to the two P-39/400 Groups after Java.
 
You need to kick off your research at the USAF AHRA Mate
 
I'm 6 years down the track careering out of control! LOL
 
Best
Gordy
ADF-Serials.com

The last wo are examples when they "spliced the types" with the P-39D/Fs in late 42/43 with both groups (8th &35th).

 
So this means that the 39th FS was a P-400 only till july 1942. Was it the same for other sqns of the Group?
 
Max
 

Suffice to say, the major difference of models was the size of the "pipe" through the Hub and the coat of paint. Even the later disappeared by mid 1943 after depot maintenance,..O/D & grey all round
 
In a real basic explanation,......P-39Ds had 37mm cannon, whereas the P-39D-1/ and F models had 20mm cannon.
 
They all had basically the same engine, along with the 20mm cannon. Therefore, when newer models came out, it was easier to group them together operationally.
 
I imagine, and records show, that radio fits, and armour varied, but essentially basically the same plane. Depots would have brought the radios up to the same level
Hence why in mid 1943, you had all of the squadrons, still flying this vintage type, in PNG flying P400's and P-39D-1s and Fs together, with P-39Ds(with the 37mm gun) withdrawn by that time. The 20 mm was punching above its weight, compared top the 37mm.
Throw in a squadron of P-38s into the Group, and you had a high/low mix that bettered the Japs
 
I don't want to get into a draw out discussion on this, as it would be better to go into it in greater detail, rather than gloss over this so lightly.
 
But that is all the time I can give you as you need to get to know the aircraft types and models so that you can understand the principals.
Hard work is rewarded by results
 
Best
Gordy

In a real basic explanation,......P-39Ds had 37mm cannon,

 
Thanks,
I didn't remember that the D-1 and F versions had 20 mm. I remembered only about P-400, and the fact that the 20 mm version were preferred by pilots. Also the first P-38s had 37mm (P-38 D or E), but nearly all had 20mm instead.
 
Max