Aircraft Photo of 41-6951 | Bell P-39D Airacobra | USA - Air Force | AirHistory.net #863176
Aircraft
Registration / Serial:41-6951
Aircraft Original Type:Bell 400 Airacobra
Aircraft Generic Type:Bell P-39/400 Airacobra
Aircraft Version:Bell P-39D Airacobra
C/n (msn):15-290
Operator Titles:USA - Air Force
Location
City / Area:Mareeba / Beck Museum [ Off-Airport ]Map
Region / Country:Queensland, Australia
 
Photo Date:14 November 2009
Photo by:Roger Syratt
Photo ID: 863176
Photo Comment

On a ferry flight to Port Moresby on 1st May 1942 the aircraft, part of a six-aircraft formation, ran into a storm and the pilot force landed near Weipa, QLD., but one of the wheels ran into a ditch causing an undercarriage collapse. The pilot walked for two days to the coast and rescue. The wreck was discovered in 1963 and in 1972 was recovered by Sid Beck and after restoration displayed at his Beck Aviation and Military Museum at Mareeba, QLD. The museum closed down in 2016 and the aircraft was acquired by Fagen Fighters and is now displayed at their WWII Museum in Granite Falls, Minnesota.

This photo is copyright © Roger Syratt, and may not be used or published in any way without permission.

It was added on 5 November 2025, and has since been viewed 53 times.


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