P-40K-1-CU "Pistoff" Serial Number 42-45979
USAAF
5th AF
49th FG
7th FS
Pilot 1st Lt Donald H. Lee, Jr., O-430931 (rescued)
Crashed July 14, 1943
MACR none
Aircraft History
Built by Curtiss in Buffalo, New York. Assigned to the US Army.
Wartime History
Disassembled and shipped overseas to Australia and reassembled. Assigned to the 5th Air Force, 49th Fighter Group, 7th Fighter Squadron. Nicknamed "Pistoff".
On March 5, 1943 Lee was piloting this P-40 when he claimed a Ki-43 Oscar over Malahang near Lae.
Mission History
Took off from Dobodura on a mission over Lae. Over the target, Lee claimed a D3A Val shot down, his forth victory. Afterwards, this P-40's cooling system was damaged, likely by the Val's rear gunner and his engine seized forcing him to bail out over the Huon Gulf near Lasanga Island off Lake Salus.
Rescue
Lee landed unhurt into the sea. After 30 minutes, he was rescued by PT-150 and returned to duty.
USAAF
5th AF
49th FG
7th FS
Pilot 1st Lt Donald H. Lee, Jr., O-430931 (rescued)
Crashed July 14, 1943
MACR none
Aircraft History
Built by Curtiss in Buffalo, New York. Assigned to the US Army.
Wartime History
Disassembled and shipped overseas to Australia and reassembled. Assigned to the 5th Air Force, 49th Fighter Group, 7th Fighter Squadron. Nicknamed "Pistoff".
On March 5, 1943 Lee was piloting this P-40 when he claimed a Ki-43 Oscar over Malahang near Lae.
Mission History
Took off from Dobodura on a mission over Lae. Over the target, Lee claimed a D3A Val shot down, his forth victory. Afterwards, this P-40's cooling system was damaged, likely by the Val's rear gunner and his engine seized forcing him to bail out over the Huon Gulf near Lasanga Island off Lake Salus.
Rescue
Lee landed unhurt into the sea. After 30 minutes, he was rescued by PT-150 and returned to duty.
