I am seeking information and photos of a P-40N as used by the 118th TRS in China during WWII.  If no photos are available, I would appreciate a written description of the location and size of the window, and the type and mounting of the camera. My uncle flew such an aircraft for the 25th FS of the 51st FG out of Yunnanyi in 1944.  Thanks!

Hi Bill-----this is the only photo I've seen of a P-40N Recon from the 118th-----behind the F-6 is no. 574 (they used 550--600). Taken at Kweilin just before they pulled out . See other picture.                Nick

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This is the 20th TRS ( 10th AF ) in Burma but I'm pretty sure the aperture is for the 52 LB camera; it's in the centre of the square access panel for the radio which hinged upwards. The DF loop is different too. I'm sure the P-40 boys will fill you in .         Regards       Nick

[image]local://upfiles/6483/48C324B7972343FDAFFA26397B286F31.jpg[/image]

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Nick,
 
Thanks for the photos - these are very helpful.  I am having a little trouble discerning the location of the photo window on #574, however - can you tell me exactly where to look?  One of the crew chiefs at Yunnanyi remembers the window being just above the rear of the wing root. This would have put the camera under the radio shelf just forward of the baggage compartment door. Does anyone else recollect this?  Also, can you tell me what the "52 LB" camera is?  I have been looking at Fairchild K-17s.
 
Thanks

Hope I'm not digging myself into a hole here !  There's no port visible on 574 but as the 118th now had F-6s it may have been converted back. If the aperture was " just above the rear of the wing root " it would be where the access panel is opened up on "Pistol Packing Pete" --the camera has been removed .
 The AVG recon P-40 had the Fairchild camera IN the " baggage compartment " with the radio/hydraulic tank/oxygen equipment adjusted ( " AVG markings " Carl Molesworth ) so would imagine the P-40N was similar.
I think the camera would be a K-22 or 24 (for obliques) as fitted in the cockpits of early RAF/RCAF Mustangs. A few 8th AF Mustangs had one fixed behind the seat for target assessment.
The K-17 was for verticals; the F-6 used either or both. " 52 " is the camera weight in pounds.            Nick
 

Bill,
 
Couldn't locate a photograph of a P-40N photo reconnaisance aircraft but I found the following text (in French - but the information is clear enough in American) that may help in refining your search for a photograph(s).
 
Take what you like and leave the rest.
 
Good luck.
 
Andy
 
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
 
http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/P-40
 
 
P-40A la désignation a été porté par un P-40 converti pour la reconnaissance photographique (numéro de série 40-326) en mars 1942.
 
P-40N fuselage arrière agrandi pour compenser le couple des derniers Allison, structure et train allégés, les derniers construits auront un Allison V-1710-115 de 1360 cv, 5219 exemplaires produits à partir de 1943, la Grande Bretagne en reçu 586, sous le nom de Kittyhawk IV, mais les 130 premiers furent cédé à l'URSS. L'Australie en perçu 468, la Nouvelle Zélande 172, le Canada 36 et le Brésil 41.

• P-40N-1-CU (mars 1943) 122 gallons de carburant interne, 6000 livres à vide, quatre mitrailleuses.
  
• P-40N-5-CU nouvelle verrière sans montants, armement rétabli à six mitrailleuses.
  
• P-40N-6-CU modification de terrain du précédent avec des caméra pour la reconnaissance.
  
• P-40N-10-CU préparé pour les conditions hivernales, quatre mitrailleuses.
  
• P-40N-15-CU capacité des réservoirs d'aile augmentée, six mitrailleuses, batterie déplacé devant le coupe-feu, nouveaux phares d'aterrissage.
  
• P-40N-20-CU moteur V-1710-99, un V-1710-81 avec contrôle automatique.
  
• P-40N-25-CU réservoirs non métalliques, instruments du tableau révisés
  
• P-40N-26-CU modification de terrain du précédent avec des caméra pour la reconnaissance.
  
• RP-40N-26-CU trois exemplaires P-40N-25-CU, convertis en biplaces d'entrainement.
  
• P-40N-30-CU (14 février 1944, 500 exemplaires) identique au N-25, à part le système électrique.
  
• P-40N-31-CU trente et un N-30, convertis en biplaces d'entrainement.
  
• P-40N-35-CU (14 février 1944, 500 exemplaires) amélioration des systèmes de lubrification, électrique, radio et équipement ADF.
  
• P-40N-40-CU (30 juin 1944, 1000 exemplaires commandés, réduit à 220) moteur V-1710-115 de 1360 cv, ailerons entièrement métalliques, pas d'hélice à controle automatique.

XP-40N désignation d'un P-40N converti avec une verrière goutte d'eau.

Nick,
 
I am in contact with an author writing a book about the P-40.  Would it be OK to share this photo with him (20th TRS P-40 in Burma)?  Who "owns" it?  How would it be credited?
 
Understand your interest is in 8th and 9th AFs - I have one of the mechanics from the 9th living around the corner - will try to track down his story if you are interested.
 
Thanks,
 
Bill
 

My grandfather was with the 118th TRS. Unfortunately he died in 1988. I did inherit all of his war related items which include several photos. I'll dig around and see if I have any of the p40.

Tex -
 
I am looking forward to hearing more from you regarding the fruits of your research.  Feel free to send me an e-mail if you wish.
 
Thanks,
 
Bill
 

Sorry for the delay. I have found a few pictures so far. Most are closeups of the pilots and their planes. I have Ed McComas and his 'Kansas Reaper' and a 'Pete's Pot'. I'll keep looking.



On a side note, I'm an associate member of the 14th Air Force Association. I read recently that there is a DFW get together each year.

On another side note, this will most likely be the last year of the association. The are voting to shut it down in 2007.

I've located my grandfather's flight log. He flew a P-40N21 in China. He was shot down 26JUN44 and returned to the US in September. Hopefully I can find a picture from his brief time in China.