WIX Archives
Re: USAF Museum P-63E 43-11728
Posted by Alan Brooks on Sun Jan 18, 2004 10:19:19 PM
In reply top USAF Museum P-63E 43-11728 posted by cfp on Sun Jan 18, 2004 08:19:05 PM
Hey Guys! I can't answer all of the questions, but can answer part, or at least take a stab. The second P-63 with the modified cockpit does exist. This is/was part of the
P-63 package of aircraft advertised for sale through Mark Clark. This aircraft never had an Air Corps Sn. When Bell was selling aircraft from their inventory (as I was told) this aircraft could only be sold if rendered non-airworthy! Most of the time this would mean cutting up structures on the aircraft. However, only the electrical bundles were cut and the fuel system was supposed to be disabled. It eventually passed throught the hands of (IIRC) Dave Robinson, Bill Ross, then to Dan Chvatal. Dan had amassed the largest collection of P-63 stuff in the states at that time. He had both 43-11730 (Honduran FAH-402) and 43-11731, which was the original CAF P-63. This aircraft suffered an inflight engine fire. The pilot managed to land the aircraft (on the gear), but the fuselage was severely burned from the fire and seperated from the airframe. This was at the time a total loss, but Dan did acquire the aircraft and title. Yes it is restorable.
Surprisingly, all five P-63E's sent to the Hondurans survive. Yes, they passed through Bob Bean. Most accept the sn.'s as they are, but Ed Furler Jr. states that two of the sn.'s are swapped. Ed had several articles on P-39/P-63's published in the early 80's with Air Classics. Hope this helps. Also goto the CAF Dixie Wing website. There is coverage of P-63's that are airworthy, close to airworthy, or under restoration. One of the restoration aircraft is one of Dan's P-63 package aircraft that is currently under restoration with Aerocrafters in Ca. The other two are/were the Sanders brothers in storage. Hope this helps a little. Alan Brooks