P-40 Warhawk

[TerryRF]

 My Uncle, 2nd Lt. Claire Bigelow, was KIA on Dec. 20, 1943 by AA in Central Italy while flying a P-40 "Warhawk".

 Does anyone know which Aces High version that would be in our game? The Warhawk name seems to cover many versions of the P-40. My uncle flew out of southern Italy on that day. Does anyone know what version of the P-40 may have been used in that area in late 1943?

 I would like to fly that model in the game just to sort of get to know him a little.

                                                                     Av8.

[oboe]

Do you know which unit (FG) he flew with?   

The P-40F was used by US forces extensively in the Mediterranean Theater.  The P-40N's production began in 1943, so it also may have been one of those.

[TerryRF]

 Thanks Oboe for responding.

 I only have the info from two letters from the War Dept. Neither explicitly say what fighter group. The only thing that may help is the following referenced as to his name.

 "AAF 201-(1605) Bigelow, Clair A." and in the second, " AG 201 Bigelow, Claire A.
                                                                                       PC*N NAT071"

[MiloMorai]

This book may help you in your search,


Also, http://www.geocities.ws/raf_112_sqdn1/allied_air_forces_middle_east_1942_1943.html

[oboe]

This link might help too:

https://www.loc.gov/vets/bib-factsheet.html

Individual Personnel Files

The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) is the official repository for records of military personnel who have been discharged from the U.S. Air Force, Army, Marine Corps, Navy, and Coast Guard.

A veteran (or next of kin) may request his or her individual military personnel file (201 file) by sending a request to the National Personnel Records Center, Military Records Facility, 9700 Page Boulevard, St. Louis, MO 63132-5100.

Additional information about the contents of these personnel files, instructions for submitting a request, and a downloadable PDF copy of the request form may be found on the National Personnel Records Center home page of the National Archives and Records Administration Web site.

Personnel records of civilians who worked for the various branches of the military are also held by the National Personnel Records Center. The address to write for these records is National Personnel Records Center, Civilian Records Facility, 111 Winnebago Street, St. Louis, MO 63118-4199.

[oboe]

Another link that might be helpful:

http://www.15thaf.org/Locate/Locate.html

[lyric1]

My Uncle, 2nd Lt. Claire Bigelow, was KIA on Dec. 20, 1943 by AA in Central Italy while flying a P-40 "Warhawk".

 Does anyone know which Aces High version that would be in our game? The Warhawk name seems to cover many versions of the P-40. My uncle flew out of southern Italy on that day. Does anyone know what version of the P-40 may have been used in that area in late 1943?

 I would like to fly that model in the game just to sort of get to know him a little.

                                                                     Av8.

57th FG/ 65TH F/S.


12/20/1943    P-40F    41-20034    57    Clair A. Bigelow 65th*

http://www.57thfightergroup.org/missing_air_crew_reports.html



http://www.57thfightergroup.org/macr/1605.html

[TerryRF]

Wow! You guys are great. Oboe, I will check that out and seek his records. Lyric1, Great information! How did you find that out so quickly?

Thanks again all. <Salute>.

[EagleDNY]

From the records he flew a P-40L - that is essentially a P-40F model which had some components removed to strip her down to fighting weight.  Take up a P-40F with the small gun package and about half a tank of fuel and you would be close. 

<S> for his service. 

[lyric1]

Wow! You guys are great. Oboe, I will check that out and seek his records. Lyric1, Great information! How did you find that out so quickly?

Thanks again all. <Salute>.

Took less than a minute on Google.

https://www.google.com/search?biw=1280&bih=638&q=2nd+lt.+claire+bigelow%2C+was+kia+on+dec.+20%2C+1943&oq=+2nd+Lt.+Claire+Bigelow%2C+was+KIA+on+Dec.+20%2C+1943&gs_l=serp.1.0.35i39k1.6751.6751.0.9504.1.1.0.0.0.0.125.125.0j1.1.0....0...1.1.64.serp..0.1.125.q1QWq1USoHY

[DaveBB]

It appears that he bailed out over water, but was unable to get his chute off.  Tragic.

[Rich46yo]

From the records he flew a P-40L - that is essentially a P-40F model which had some components removed to strip her down to fighting weight.  Take up a P-40F with the small gun package and about half a tank of fuel and you would be close. 

<S> for his service.

LOL After the war Canada was selling its P40s for $50 apiece. Imagine what a working model goes for now?

[streakeagle]

My grandfather built Wright engines during the war. After the war he got a P-47 for around $100, but he couldn't afford to store, maintain, or fly it, so he got rid of it. I wonder if it is still around in a museum or maybe flying? I didn't think to ask more about it when he was still alive. So I don't know any details about the specific model, markings, or serial number.

[EagleDNY]

LOL After the war Canada was selling its P40s for $50 apiece. Imagine what a working model goes for now?

I hear there are some hidden in a barn in upper saskatchewan.  Now we just need to go up and find them.