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  • The RNZAF received it's first 44 ex-RAF P-40Es in mid 1942 to replace aircraft such as the Harvard and Hawker Hind. A total of 297 P-40E (Kittyhawk IA - NZ3001/3044, NZ3091/3098, NZ3100/3108, NZ3271), P-40K (Kittyhawk III - NZ3045/3065, NZ3090, NZ3099), P-40L (Kittyhawk II - NZ3074), P-40M (Kittyhawk III - NZ3066/3073, NZ3075/3989, NZ3109/3119, NZ3180) and P-40Ns (Kittyhawk IV - NZ3120/3179, NZ3181/3270,NZ3272/3293) were in use between 1942 and 1945 with a further 4 being destroyed in accidents before becoming operational. The aircraft were assigned to Nos. 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 and 20 Fighter Squadrons, and No's 2 and 4 (F) OTU (Operational Training Unit).

    Number 14 through 19 Squadrons were deployed to the Pacific theatre in 1943, where they carried out offensive and defensive fighter operations, dive bombing duties and bomber escort. RNZAF P-40's accounted for 99 Japanese aircraft destroyed and 14 probables for the loss of 20 to enemy action. A further 76 were written off in crashes overseas and 76 in crashes in New Zealand.
    P-40E NZ3027 FE-V in a ditch at Ohakea after a taxiing accident on the 10th of January 1944

    USAAF Lightnings fly over a line-up of RNZAF Kittyhawks. Torokina, Bougainville.
    Aircraft on charge to No. 2 Servicing Unit.

    Kiwi Kittyhawks 90
    Two members of the ground crew pose with Kittyhawk NZ3060, which was damaged after belly landing after a test flight. Kukum airstrip, Guadalcanal.
    Aircraft on charge to No. 1 Servicing Unit, was flown by No. 14 Squadron pilot, Sergeant FE Ferrier.

    Kiwi Kittyhawk 89
    The New Zealand Governor General, Sir Cyril Newall (not visible in view), inspects a Servicing Unit maintenance area. Ondonga, New Georgia.
    Kiwi Kittyhawk 88
    The New Zealand Govenor General Sir Cyril Newall (not visible in view) inspects a Servicing Unit aircraft maintenance area. Ondonga, New Georgia.
    Kittyhawk NZ3121 in foreground.

    Kiwi Kittyhawk 87
    Squadron Leader MJ Herrick DFC in the cockpit of his Kittyhawk at Guadalcanal. Five German and one Japanese kill marks.
    Kiwi Kittyhawk 86
    Side view of No. 4 Servicing Unit Kittyhawk NZ3220 with 'Gloria Lyons' nose art. Believed to be Torokina, Bougainville.
    Kiwi Kittyhawk 85
    RNZAF truck towing a Kittyhawk. Presumed to be Espiritu Santo.
    Truck MT1933, is a Canadian military pattern Chevrolet No.12 cab.

    Kiwi Kittyhawk 84
    RNZAF pilots standing in front of a line-up of Kittyhawks. Torokina, Bougainville.
    Aircraft on charge to No. 4 Servicing Unit.
    Kittyhawk 'G' NZ3220 with nose art "Gloria Lyons" in view

    Kiwi Kittyhawk 83
    RNZAF pilots in a Dodge weapons carrier, parked in front of a line-up of No. 2 Servicing Unit Kittyhawks. Torokina, Bougainville.
    Kiwi Kittyhawk 82
    RNZAF No. 1 Servicing Unit Kittyhawks in the dispersal area among the palm trees at Fighter 2 airstrip, Kukum, Guadalcanal.
    Kiwi Kittyhawk 81
    Rear view of RNZAF Kittyhawk. Presumed to be No. 2 Fighter Maintenance Unit, Espiritu Santo.
    Kiwi Kittyhawk 78
    Ground crew servicing RNZAF Kittyhawk NZ3094. Presumed to be No. 2 Fighter Maintenance Unit, Espiritu Santo.
    Kiwi Kittyhawk 77
    RNZAF Kittyhawk at Espiritu Santo.
    Kiwi Kittyhawk 76
    Rearming and refuelling No. 17 Squadron Kittyhawk NZ3034 JZ-W, during Air defence exercise at RNZAF Station, Seagrove.
    Kiwi Kittyhawk 75
    Rearming and refuelling a No. 17 Squadron (formerley No. 15 Squadron) Kittyhawk during Air Defence exercise at RNZAF Station, Seagrove.
    Nb. When No. 15 Squadron left for overseas tour, No. 17 Squadron took charge of the aircraft and the aircraft codes were left unchanged.

    Kiwi Kittyhawk 74
    Portrait of No. 14 Squadron pilot Flight Lieutenant JA Oldfield DFC in front of a Kittyhawk. Presumed to be at RNZAF Station, Whenuapai.
    Kiwi Kittyhawk 73
    A member of the ground crew pulls-up in front of a Curtiss P-40k Kittyhawk driving a Cletrac crawler. Presumed to be No. 1 Fighter Maintenance Unit, Kukum Field. Guadalcanal.
    Kiwi Kittyhawk 72
    Number 14 Squadron fighter pilots pose with Curtiss P-40 Kittyhawk NZ3008, HQ-B. Presumed to be Royal New Zealand Air Force Station, Whenuapai. Nose art: UMSLOPOGAAS. Standing on wing: Pilot Officer W.M. Bullen. Sitting on wing L-R: Sergeant E.C. Laurie, Flying Officer P.D. Gifford, Flying Officer P.S. Green and Flight Lieutenant H.R. Wigley. Standing L-R: Pilot Officer E.L. Avery, Flying Officer M.R. Clarke, Sergeant R.C.C. Nairn, Sergeant D.W. Robertson, Flying Officer J.R. Hutcheson, Flight Lieutenant J.A. Oldfield, Flying Officer D.L. Clow and Flying Officer H.J. Meharry.
    Kiwi Kittyhawk 71
     

  • No. 19 Squadron pilot, Flight Lieutenant James Ralph Court DFC, in the cockpit of a Kittyhawk. Believed to be at RNZAF Station, Whenuapai.
    Kiwi Kittyhawk 70
    No. 19 Squadron arrives at RNZAF Station Waipapakauri.
    Image taken during a brief stop-off, at the time of the Squadron ferrying their 'tired' aircraft from Guadalcanal, back to RNZAF Station, Ardmore.

    Kiwi Kittyhawk 69
    Kiwi Kittyhawk 68
    No. 18 Squadron pilot, Squadron Leader JA Oldfield, in the cockpit of a P-40 Kittyhawk. Torokina, Bougainville.
    Kiwi Kittyhawk 67
    No. 18 Squadron pilot, presumed to be Flying Officer CDA Highet, sitting in the cockpit of a Kittyhawk. Ondonga, New Georgia.
    Kiwi Kittyhawk 66
    No. 18 Squadron pilot Flying Officer GM Robertson beside his Kittyhawk. Torokina, Bougainville.
    Kiwi Kittyhawk 65
    No. 18 Squadron Kittyhawk on the runway at Torokina, Bougainville.
    Kiwi Kittyhawk 64
    Group of No. 16 Squadron pilots sitting on the wing of a Kittyhawk. Believed to be at Espiritu Santo.
    L-R: Sergeant PA Tilyard, Flying Officer MT Vanderpump, Flight Lieutenant TM de Denne, Sergeant LW Williams, Flight Sergeant CA McDonald.

    Kiwi Kittyhawk 63
    No. 16 Squadron pilot Flight Lieutenant JR Day standing on the wing of a P-40 Kittyhawk. Espiritu Santo. Aircraft '5' in view.
    Day was a Flight Commander with No. 16 Squadron.

    Kiwi Kittyhawk 62
    No. 16 Squadron Kittyhawks at RNZAF Station Gisborne.
    Kiwi Kittyhawk 61
    No. 14 Squadron pilots running to their Kittyhawks. Presumed to be at RNZAF Station, Whenuapai.
    Kiwi Kittyhawk 60
    No. 14 Squadron pilot, Flying Officer WJ Polson, about to enter the cockpit of Kittyhawk NZ3072. Presumed to be Guadalcanal.
    Kiwi Kittyhawk 59
    No. 14 Squadron pilot Flying Officer GB Fisken standing beside Curtiss P-40 Kittyhawk NZ3072. Guadalcanal.
    Kiwi Kittyhawk 58
    Kiwi Kittyhawk 51
    No. 14 Squadron pilot, Flying Officer EL Avery posing with part of the extensively damaged rudder from his P-40 Kittyhawk.
    Kiwi Kittyhawk 57
    No. 14 Squadron pilot Sergeant RCC Nairn with a Kittyhawk. Believed to be at RNZAF Station Whenuapai.
    Kiwi Kittyhawk 56
    No. 14 Squadron pilot Pilot Officer RA Weber beside a Kittyhawk. Believed to be at RNZAF Station, Whenuapai.
    Kiwi Kittyhawk 55
    No. 14 Squadron pilot Flying Officer RA Weber, holding his parachute over his shoulder, standing in front of a Kittyhawk. Guadalcanal.
    Kiwi Kittyhawk 54
    Kiwi Kittyhawk 53
    No. 14 Squadron pilot Flying Officer GB Fisken standing in front of Curtiss P-40 Kittyhawk NZ3072 'Wairarapa Wildcat'. Guadalcanal.
    Kiwi Kittyhawk 52
     

  • No. 14 Squadron pilot Flight Lieutenant PS Green, wearing flying helmet, goggles and oxygen mask, in the cockpit of a Kittyhawk. Presumed to be at RNZAF Station, Whenuapai.
    Kiwi Kittyhawk 50
    No. 14 Squadron Kittyhawk taxiing at Norfolk Island.
    Kiwi Kittyhawk 49
    No. 14 Squadron Kittyhawk prepares to leave RNZAF Station, Whenuapai.
    Kiwi Kittyhawk 48
    No. 14 Squadron Kittyhawk NZ3072 taxiing along tarmac area. Believed to be Guadalcanal.
    This aircraft carried the nose art 'Wairarapa Wildcat'.

    Kiwi Kittyhawk 47
    Air to air view of No. 14 Squadron Kittyhawk NZ3026 HQ-Q, breaking formation. Presumed to be flying from RNZAF Station, Whenuapai.
    Kiwi Kittyhawk 46
    Marshalling No. 14 Squadron Kittyhawks into position on the aerodrome at Norfolk Island.
    Kiwi Kittyhawk 45
    Line-up of No. 14 Squadron Kittyhawks on the runway. Believed to be Kukum Field, Guadalcanal.
    NZ3060 far left and NZ3072 'Wairarapa Wildcat' far right.

    Kiwi Kittyhawk 44
    Kittyhawk NZ3220, with nose art 'Gloria Lyons'. RNZAF Station Ardmore.
    Kiwi Kittyhawk 42
    Kiwi Kittyhawk 41
    Kittyhawk NZ3220 'Gloria Lyons', from No. 2 Fighter Operational Training Unit in Cathedral Square, Christchurch, for a War Bonds Drive.
    Kiwi Kittyhawk 40
    Kiwi Kittyhawk 39
    Kiwi Kittyhawk 38
    Kiwi Kittyhawk 37
    Kiwi Kittyhawk 36
     

  • Kittyhawk NZ3148, with nose art 'Gloria Lyons', being readied for flight. Torokina, Bougainville.
    Kiwi Kittyhawk 35
    Group of RNZAF pilots with No. 4 Servicing Unit Kittyhawks on the flight line. Torokina, Bougainville.
    Kiwi Kittyhawk 33
    Group of No. 17 Squadron pilots with a Kittyhawk at Torokina, Bougainville.
    Kiwi Kittyhawk 32
    Group of No. 16 Squadron pilots with Kittyhawk '66'.
    This group was involved in the first bomber assault on Rabaul, 19 December 1943.

    Kiwi Kittyhawk 31
    Group of No. 14 Squadron Flight Commanders and Section Leaders in front of a Kittyhawk. Torokina, Bougainville.
    L-R: Squadron Leader SG Quill, Flight Lieutenant LR Renolds, Flight Lieutenant EH Brown, Flying Officer WM Bullen, Flying Officer RA Weber.

    Kiwi Kittyhawk 30
    Group of No. 4 Servicing Unit personnel perform maintenance on a Kittyhawk. Torokina, Bougainville.
    Kiwi Kittyhawk 29
    Group of four airmen from No. 4 Servicing Unit, sitting on the wing of Kittyhawk NZ3148 with nose art 'Gloria Lyons'. Possibly Ondonga or Torokina. Bougainville.
    Kiwi Kittyhawk 28
    Groundcrew servicing RNZAF P-40 Kittyhawks. Presumed to be No. 2 Fighter Maintenance Unit at Espiritu Santo. Circa 1943.
    Kiwi Kittyhawk 27
    Groundcrew servicing RNZAF Kittyhawk NZ3094. Presumed to be No. 2 Fighter Maintenance Unit, Espiritu Santo.
    Kiwi Kittyhawk 26
    Ground to air of Kittyhawk NZ3119, flying low over an unknown airfield.
    Kiwi Kittyhawk 25
    Ground staff examine the damaged rudder of a Kittyhawk which was flown by No. 18 Squadron pilot, Pilot Officer Mackinder.
    Kiwi Kittyhawk 24
    Ground crew work on the Allison V-12 engine in a Kittyhawk, during the visit of the New Zealand Governor General, Sir Cyril Newall, to a Servicing Unit maintenance area. Ondonga, New Georgia.
    Kiwi Kittyhawk 23
    Ground crew servicing an Allison V-12 aero engine. Presumed to be at No. 1 Fighter Maintenance Unit, Kukum Field, Guadalcanal.
    Kiwi Kittyhawk 22
    Ground crew servicing a No. 14 Squadron Kittyhawk before it leaves RNZAF Station, Whenuapai.
    Kiwi Kittyhawk 21
    Ground crew servicing a group of Curtiss P-40 Kittyhawks. Presumed to be No. 1 Fighter Maintenance Unit at Kukum Field, Guadalcanal.
    Kiwi Kittyhawk 20
    Armourers loading ammunition into the port wing magazines of a No. 18 Squadron P-40 Kittyhawk. Presumed to be Torokina, Bougainville.
    Kiwi Kittyhawk 18
    Armourers loading 0.5 inch ammunition into the starboard wing bays of a No. 15 Squadron Kittyhawk. Either RNZAF Station Whenuapai or Seagrove.
    Kiwi Kittyhawk 17
    Kiwi Kittyhawk 16
    Air Training Corps cadets examine the Allison engine in a Kittyhawk. Believed to be RNZAF Station, Ohakea.
    Kiwi Kittyhawk 15
    Air to air view of two No. 15 Squadron Kittyhawks, viewed from a No. 3 Squadron Hudson, while on patrol over the central Solomon Islands.
    Kiwi Kittyhawk 14
     

  • A No. 16 Squadron P-40E NZ3044 flight down the Marlborough coast
    Kiwi Kittyhawk 2
    Air to air view of No. 15 Squadron Kittyhawk NZ3040 JZ-I, on patrol over New Zealand waters. Flying from RNZAF Station, Whenuapai.
    Kiwi Kittyhawk 13
    Air to air view of No. 15 Squadron Kittyhawk NZ3039 JZ-A. Photographed through the window of a Hudson flying from RNZAF Station, Whenuapai.
    Kiwi Kittyhawk 12
    Air to air view of No. 15 Squadron Kittyhawk NZ3039 JZ-A in a gentle climb. Presumed to be flying from RNZAF Station, Whenuapai
    Kiwi Kittyhawk 11
    Air to air view of No. 14 Squadron Kittyhawks in formation. Presumed to be flying from RNZAF Station Whenuapai.
    Kiwi Kittyhawk 10
    Air to air view of No. 14 Squadron Kittyhawk NZ3007 HQ-A. Believed to be flying from RNZAF Station, Whenuapai.
    Nose art: "MAGNOLIA MUFFLEWURT", painted above exhaust, but not visible in image because of glare.

    Kiwi Kittyhawk 9
    Air to air view of four No. 15 Squadron Kittyhawks in formation over the North Shore of Auckland.
    Kiwi Kittyhawk 8
    Air to air of three No. 15 Squadron P-40 Kittyhawks in formation. Flying from RNZAF Station, Whenuapai.
    Aircraft from front; JZ-I NZ3040, JZ-N and JZ-A NZ3039.

    Kiwi Kittyhawk 7
    Air to air view of No. 16 Squadron Kittyhawks and No. 9 Squadron Hudson NZ2079 in formation.
    Kiwi Kittyhawk 6
    Kiwi Kittyhawk 5
    Air to air of No. 15 Squadron Kittyhawk NZ3040 JZ-I. Flying from RNZAF Station, Whenuapai.
    Kiwi Kittyhawk 4
    Kiwi Kittyhawk 3
    A member of the groundcrew helps a No. 18 Squadron pilot to enter the cockpit of a P-40 Kittyhawk.
    Kiwi Kittyhawk 1
    A member of the ground crew at work on the wing of a Kittyhawk. Believed to be No. 2 Fighter Maintenance Unit at Espiritu Santo.
    Kiwi Kittyhawk
    Kittyhawk NZ3142, flown by Squadron Leader RM McKay, from the Fighter Gunnery School, after belly landing at RNZAF Station Gisborne.
    This aircraft was 'shot down' by Kittyhawk NZ3147 when live ammunition was mistakenly loaded for a cine camera exercise.


    The P-40 began to be replaced in front line duties by F4U-1A Corsairs from 1944 and, like so many aircraft of this era, most of the surviving RNZAF P-40s were sold for scrap in 1948 with only 6 surviving destruction.

    Side view of the derelict Kittyhawk NZ3220 'Gloria Lyons'. Believed to be at Ardmore.
    Kiwi Kittyhawk 19
    Kittyhawk NZ3147, FE-B1, lying derelict in the aircraft graveyard at Rukuhia Aerodrome.
    Kiwi Kittyhawk 34
    Kittyhawks and Corsairs in a field at Rukuhia aerodrome, waiting to be scrapped.
    Kiwi Kittyhawk 43
    Taken over the Pacific from a 2 Sq Hudson
     2 Squadron Hudson
    RNZAF Kittyhawks at Kukum airfield, Guadalcanal
    RNZAF Kittyhawks At Kukum Airfield Guadalcana
     

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