FORCED LANDING OF A P-40 WARHAWK
NEAR CHARLEVILLE, QLD
ON 18 MARCH 1942

P-40E  Warhawk #41-5454, piloted by 2nd Lt Fred M. Cooper O-425070 (Class 41F, ex 34th Pursuit Squadron Philippines evacuee, assigned with the Erection Depot at Amberley) made a forced landing near Charleville in south west Queensland at approximately 2235 hours Zulu time (or 5.35pm EST) on 18 March 1942.

P-40 Warhawk #41-5454 was an ex Defence Aid Russia (xyz) aircraft, thus sans USAAF Plates and serial block. Marked as “474” there due to engine issues and damaged the airscrew and port undercarriage. 2nd Lt Fred M. Cooper was uninjured. It was either on a ferry flight to the Northern Territory for the 49th Fighter Group from Amberley Airfield or during an engine run in a flight out of Amberley Airfield.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I'd like to thank Gordon Birkett for his assistance with this web page.

Can anyone help me with more information on this crash?

"Australia @ War" WWII Research Products

This page first produced 20 October 2021

This page last updated 20 October 2021