Airacobras of the 70th Fighter Squadron

[Devil 505]

The 70th Fighter Squadron made it's combat debut at Guadalcanal in October 1942, as part of the legendary Cactus Air Force. Along with the rest of the 347th Fighter Group, it was equipped with P-400's - the export version of the P-39D, rejected by the RAF. As the war in the Solomons progressed, the 70th received newer P-39 models to supplement losses on their P-400's, although one P-400 was kept flying well into 1944 with scavenged parts from other Airacobras of all types. It was eventually sent back to the States for promotional duty with Bell Aircraft. The 70th was transferred to the 18th Fighter Group in March 1943, also operating in the Solomons, and moved from Guadalcanal to Munda in October to begin operations against Bougainville and Rabaul. They also operated some P-40's and P-38's at the same time. They were a true hodgepodge squadron during the Solomons campaign!

P-39K "Short Stroke" of the 70th Fighter Squadron in the spring of 1943. It was flown by both Lt. Darrell Cosart and Maj. Louis Kittel from Guadalcanal. It's pilots are credited with 3 victories in this aircraft. Markings consist of a blue spinner and white IFF band around the rear fuselage. The side number was painted between the cockpit doors and nose gun hatches. Aircraft is fitted with a replacement rudder. 








P-39Q "S-N-A-F-U" of the 70th Fighter Squadron in late 1943 or early 1944. Pilot unknown. Operated from Munda airfield. Markings consist of a blue spinner and freshly painted side number "106" on the nose. An older "6" occupies the former side number location ahead of the cockpit doors. 11 yellow bombs denote completed attack missions. This appears to be an early P-39Q as evidenced by the prop spinner lacking the shroud for the 37mm gun muzzle. The US insignia also appear to have had the side bars added in the field and not from the factory. Rudder is a replacement unit, making the serial number incomplete, I assume it's 42-19043. 

[lyric1]

 

[oboe]

Fantastic.

[Greebo]

Excellent skins Devil, look just right.

[Vraciu]

Those are outstanding.