This is a look at time standing still… almost…
Photo copyright © photo McTAVISH
Check out the photographer’s feature on this Hawk for LOTS more photos…
Also, for more info on this beautiful Hawk, including two wartime shots, check out this feature page on my P-40 site…
Kittyhawk I AK803 - RCAF Serial 1034
Fade to Black…
Damn she’s pretty. I take it this one is restored??
Absolutely gorgeous bird. Thanks for posting.
Regards, Rick
Gorgeous, simply gorgeous!!!
Jerry
Gorgeous example of a NON restored P-40. Original condition. Hard to believe
Darwin, O.F. [alien]
Yes and no… it was purchased in 1946 by a fella named George Maude who has been the sole owner all this time. The aircraft was initially stored outdoors but was hangared in 1974. Due to the its being kept in the general vicinity of salt water since it was delivered to the RCAF there was some corrosion and some components were replaced, but this is where my info gets sketchy.
There’s some confusion on my part as to whether it was the tail components or the wings which were replaced. The photographer says that some of the tail components were replaced (I assume he learned this from the owner), but two other sources state that it was the mainplane (wings) which was replaced. I’m currently trying to find out more info…
In any event, whatever was replaced, the aircraft has mostly been kept in relatively good condition over the years, with only paint touch-ups and required maintenance being done. In 1974 it was put back to airworthy condition and registered but I dunno if it ever flew. (it currently does not fly because the owner cannot afford the roughly $3600 per hour to do so)
It’s been run up several times a year since 1974, (until recently, I believe) and the owner used to put on taxi-displays. It has been on loan to two museums but is currently back in storage at Patrica Bay airport on Vancouver Island.
With the exception of the components that were replaced, the gray undersurfaces (applied to help in dealing with corrosion), the exterior paint touch-ups, some minor interior paint touch-ups and perhaps some replaced instruments (speculation on my part) the cockpit is totally original and this aircraft appears today pretty much as it appeared in 1946.
Fade to Black…
Regardless, that’s one beauty of a bird.
Blackwolf
Know your not much of a helo guy, but do your every look at the photo’s posted there?
hey, nice NMF![:D]
MMmm, this pix seems soooo familiar???[;)] That sure is one perdy Hawk…
Thanks for sharing Steve…
Flaps up, Mike
Great looking photo.
Bee-Ee-Ay-Yootiful!!