Asisbiz Curtiss P-40 Warhawk in USAAF service

RAAF 3 Squadron

Curtiss P-40M Kittyhawk RAAF 3Sqn CVB FS449 Pilot Authur Dawkins Foggia, Italy 1943

Kittyhawk IIa CV-B FS449 Foggia November 1943 Pilot: P/O Authur Dawkins

Curtiss P-40E RAAF 3Sqn CVE Pilot Wg Cdr H F 'Billy' Burton FL341 Marble Arch, Libya, 28 December 1942

Profile 00: Kittyhawk IIA FL341 of No 3 Sqn RAAF. flown by Wg Cdr H F 'Billy' Burton, ac No 239 Wing, Marble Arch, Libya, 28 December 1942. Wg Cdr 'Billy' Bunon had four shared victories flying Spitfires when he assumed command of No 239 Wing in late 1942. When leading his wing, he flew various aircraft from its units, and on 28 December 1942 he made use of short---backed Kittyhawk IIA FL341 - the only time he did so. He achieved ace status with his first Kittyhawk kill in early January, flying FL347, also a No 3 Sqn aircraft. Like 'Pedro' Hanbury, Bunon was a passenger in the Hudson downed over the Bay of Biscay on 3 June 1943 by a Ju 88C. FL341 was struck off charge on 8 March 1944.

Curtiss P-40M Kittyhawk RAAF 3Sqn CV Foggia, Italy 1943

Kittyhawk IIa CV-<> (FS482) Foggia November 1943

Curtiss P-40M Kittyhawk RAAF 3Sqn CVJ FS413 Pilot John Howell-Price Sicily 1943

Kittyhawk IIa CV-J (FS413) Sicily July/August 1943 Pilot: John Howell-Price

Curtiss P-40M Kittyhawk RAAF 3Sqn CVK FS433 Pilot Ken Richards Cutella, Italy 1944

Kittyhawk IIa CV-K (FS433) Cutella Early 1944 Pilot P/O Ken Richards

Curtiss Kittyhawk I RAAF 3Sqn CVL AK903 flown by Flt Lt 'Nicky' Barr, Sidi Haneish. Egypt, March 1942

Profile 00: Kittyhawk I AK903 of No 3 Sqn RAAF, flown by Flt Lt 'Nicky' Barr, Sidi Haneish. Egypt, March 1942. The top-scoring pilot with No 3 Sqn RAAF during the war was 'Nicky' Barr, who in exactly six months rose from a newly arrived pilot officer to CO of the unit! On the evening of 8 March 1942 he was in this aircraft, leading 11 others, when they intercepted a large formation of Ju 87s, closely esconed by nine C.200s and C.202s and two Bf 109s. Nos 3 and 450 Sqns carried out a successful 'bounce', Barr downing a C.200 for his ninth victory, probably destroying another, and damaged two more. AK903 was later Shot down near Makhkad by Bf109s on 22 July 1942 whilst serving with No 250 Sqn.

Curtiss P-40M Kittyhawk IIa RAAF 3Sqn CVL FS420 Pilot Jack Doyle Cutella, Italy 1944

Kittyhawk IIa CV-L (FS420) Cutella 1944 Pilot: Jack Doyle

Curtiss P-40E Kittyhawk IA RAAF 3Sqn CVC ET953 flown by Sqn Ldr Bobby Gibbes LG 91, Egypt 1942

Profile 00: Kittyhawk IA ET953 of No 3 Sqn RAAF, flown by Sqn Ldr Bobby Gibbes. LG 91, Egypt, August-September 1942. All of Bobby Gibbes' claims were made during almost two years of service with No 3 Sqn AAAF. His aircraft usually car¬ried the letter V, and in the summer of 1942, while he was CO, he flew ET953. Gibbes made two claims with this fighter, the first coming on 23 August when, llying top cover to No 450 Sqn in the Deir el Quattara area, he damaged a Sf 109. Just over a week later, on the afternoon of 1 September, he hit a Bf 109 in a fight near EI Alamein and was credited with having destroyed it, taking his tally to eight. Subsequently serving with No 250 Sqn and No 5 Sqn SAAF, ET953 was written off whilst still with the latter unit when it stalled on take off after its pilot tried to avoid a gunpoSl at Neffatia on 2 March 1943.

Email Permission.
Feel free, Matthew. Glad you like the photos!
Regards
Chris

Curtiss P-40M Kittyhawk RAAF 3Sqn CVC FS490 Pilot Brian Eaton Italy 1944

Curtiss P-40M Kittyhawk IIa RAAF 3Sqn CVY FS400 Malta 1943

Kittyhawk IIa CV-Y (FS400) Malta June/July 1943

Curtiss P-40M Kittyhawk IIa RAAF 3Sqn CVZ FS407 Foggia, Italy 1943

Kittyhawk IIA CV-Z (FS407) Foggia November 1943

WAR DIARY FOR THE MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS

Aircrew RAAF 3Sqn Acting SqnLdr RNB Stevens after news of being awarded the DFC Malta July 1943 AWM MEA0191

Aircrew RAAF 3Sqn CO SqnLdr RHM Bobby Gibbes in his office at Marble Arch Libya Dec 1942 IWM CM5074

Aircrew RAAF 3Sqn CO SqnLdr RHM Gibbes at LG91 Egypt IWM CM3112

Aircrew RAAF 3Sqn FLt W Goldman DFC at Jesi Italy Nov 1944 AWM MEA2055

Aircrew RAAF 3Sqn FO James Andrew McIntosh later KIA 23rd Jan 1942 AWM 023100

Aircrew RAAF 3Sqn FSgt Peter Gilbert at Foggia Italy 1943 AWM MEA0877

Aircrew RAAF 3Sqn ground crew reading a handbook on Sicily July 1943 AWM MEC2055

Aircrew RAAF 3Sqn Lt Jack Gleeson at Italy May 1944 AWM MEA1641

Aircrew RAAF 3Sqn pilots group photo with CV diamond foreground at Italy 1943 AWM MEA0872

Aircrew RAAF 3Sqn pilots Sgt AT Shannon and Sgt G Mellor at Sicily Italy 1943 AWM MEA0378

Aircrew RAAF 3Sqn SqnLdr Brian Eaton at Kairouan Tunisia 1943 AWM MEC0193

Aircrew RAAF 3Sqn SqnLdr PO John Hooke at Malta July 1943 AWM MEC2009

Aircrew RAAF 3Sqn SqnLdr Rex Bayly DFC at Italy May 1944 AWM MEA1632

Aircrew RAAF 3Sqn SqnLdr RNB Stevens at Malta July 1943 AWM MEC2056

Aircrew RAAF 3Sqn SqnLdr RNB Stevens at Malta July 1943 AWM MEC2057

Aircrew RAAF 3Sqn SqnLdr RNB Stevens at Malta July 1943 AWM MEC2059

Aircrew RAAF 3Sqn SqnLdr RNB Stevens at Malta July 1943 AWM MEC2281

Aircrew RAAF 3Sqn SqnLdr RNB Stevens at Malta July 1943 AWM MEC2282

Airworthy Warbird P-40E RAAF 3Sqn CVV Chris Finney 01

Airworthy Warbird P-40E RAAF 3Sqn CVV Chris Finney 02

Airworthy Warbird P-40E RAAF 3Sqn CVV Chris Finney 03

Airworthy Warbird P-40E RAAF 3Sqn CVV Chris Finney 04

Curtiss P-40E Kittyhawk RAAF 3Sqn CVE at Kairouan Tunisia May 1943 AWM MEC0237

Curtiss P-40E Kittyhawk RAAF 3Sqn CVE at Kairouan Tunisia May 1943 AWM MEC0240

Curtiss P-40E Kittyhawk RAAF 3Sqn CVJ AK796 with an assistant riding the wing whilst taxiing Egypt 1942 01

Curtiss P-40E Kittyhawk RAAF 3Sqn CVL FLt Nicky Barr AK903 Sidi Haneish Egypt Mar 1942

Curtiss P-40E Kittyhawk RAAF 3Sqn CVO FltSgt Lloyd Boardman aircraft AK961 Egypt Jul 1942 AWM P02541

Curtiss P-40E Kittyhawk RAAF 3Sqn CVO FltSgt Lloyd Boardman AK961 Libya Jun 1942 0A

Curtiss P-40E Kittyhawk RAAF 3Sqn CVO WgCdr L Spence named Rima II AK806 at LG102 Libya Apr 1942 AWM 01

Curtiss P-40E Kittyhawk RAAF 3Sqn CVR FR241 Western Desert 28th Oct 1942 AWM MED0687

Curtiss P-40E Kittyhawk RAAF 3Sqn CVV Bobby Gibbes ET953 Egypt 1942 0A

Curtiss P-40E Kittyhawk RAAF 3Sqn CVV ET953 lined up at LG91 Egypt IWM CM3526

Curtiss P-40E Kittyhawk RAAF 3Sqn lined up at LG91 Egypt IWM CNA3527

Curtiss P-40E Kittyhawk RAAF 3Sqn line up with CVR CVK prior to start up Egypt 1942 AWM 01

Curtiss P-40E Kittyhawk RAAF 3Sqn newly transferred AK596 Jan 1942 01

Curtiss P-40E Kittyhawk RAAF desert pilots getting in close for at photo AWM MED0244

Curtiss P-40E Kittyhawk RAAF nosed over showing the upper camouflage 21st Sep 1942 AWM 013279

Curtiss P-40F Kittyhawk RAAF 3Sqn at Kairouan Tunisia May 1943 AWM MEC0238

Curtiss P-40F Kittyhawk RAAF 3Sqn being rearmed at Malta Jul 1943 AWM MEC2001

Curtiss P-40F Kittyhawk RAAF 3Sqn being rearmed at Malta Jul 1943 AWM MEC2002

Curtiss P-40F Kittyhawk RAAF 3Sqn being rearmed at Malta Jul 1943 AWM MEC2003

Curtiss P-40F Kittyhawk RAAF 3Sqn being rearmed at Malta Jul 1943 AWM MEC2004

Curtiss P-40F Kittyhawk RAAF 3Sqn being rearmed at Malta Jul 1943 AWM MEC2005

Curtiss P-40F Kittyhawk RAAF 3Sqn CVA returns Back to Malta from its raid on Sicily July 1943 AWM MEA0185

Curtiss P-40F Kittyhawk RAAF 3Sqn CVB taking off for operations over Sicily at Malta Jul 1943 AWM MEC2044

Curtiss P-40F Kittyhawk RAAF 3Sqn CVB taxiing Malta Jul 1943 AWM 128232

Curtiss P-40F Kittyhawk RAAF 3Sqn CVC Bobby Gibbes FL308 Italy 1943 02

Curtiss P-40F Kittyhawk RAAF 3Sqn CV diamond FS482 at Grottaglie Airfield Italy Sep 1943 AWM MEA0625

Curtiss P-40F Kittyhawk RAAF 3Sqn CV diamond FS482 FiFi receiving new artwork at Italy May 1944 AWM MEA1923

Curtiss P-40F Kittyhawk RAAF 3Sqn CV diamond FS482 Zuara Libya June 1943 0A

Curtiss P-40F Kittyhawk RAAF 3Sqn CVE at Grottaglie Airfield Italy 1943 AWM MEA0635

Curtiss P-40F Kittyhawk RAAF 3Sqn CVE FL341 prior to operations over Sicily July 1943 AWM MEC2049

Curtiss P-40F Kittyhawk RAAF 3Sqn CVE FL341 prior to operations over Sicily July 1943 AWM MEC2050

Curtiss P-40F Kittyhawk RAAF 3Sqn CVE FL341 takes off for operations over Sicily July 1943 AWM MEC2052

Curtiss P-40F Kittyhawk RAAF 3Sqn CVH prior to operations over Sicily July 1943 AWM MEA0211

Curtiss P-40F Kittyhawk RAAF 3Sqn CVI FL301 being rearmed at Malta Jul 1943 AWM MEC2285

Curtiss P-40F Kittyhawk RAAF 3Sqn CVI FL301 being rearmed at Malta Jul 1943 AWM MEC2286

Curtiss P-40F Kittyhawk RAAF 3Sqn CVI FL301 prior to operations over Sicily July 1943 AWM MEC2063

Curtiss P-40F Kittyhawk RAAF 3Sqn CVI FL301 prior to operations over Sicily July 1943 AWM MEC2065

Curtiss P-40F Kittyhawk RAAF 3Sqn CVJ and CVY prior to operations over Sicily July 1943 AWM MEC2048

Curtiss P-40F Kittyhawk RAAF 3Sqn CVJ being rearmed at Malta Jul 1943 AWM MEC2069

Curtiss P-40F Kittyhawk RAAF 3Sqn CVJ being rearmed at Malta Jul 1943 AWM MEC2287

Curtiss P-40F Kittyhawk RAAF 3Sqn CVJ taxiing for operations over Sicily at Malta Jul 1943 AWM MEC2089

Curtiss P-40F Kittyhawk RAAF 3Sqn CVL FL2xx being serviced at Ta Kali Malta Jul 1943 AWM MEC2006

Curtiss P-40F Kittyhawk RAAF 3Sqn CVL FL2xx being serviced at Ta Kali Malta Jul 1943 AWM MEC2006x

Curtiss P-40F Kittyhawk RAAF 3Sqn CVL FL2xx ground crew at Ta Kali Malta Jul 1943 AWM MEC2007

Curtiss P-40F Kittyhawk RAAF 3Sqn CVP being rearmed at Malta Jul 1943 AWM MEC2289

Curtiss P-40F Kittyhawk RAAF 3Sqn CVP FL3xx taking off from Foggia Italy May 1943 AWM MEC2045

Curtiss P-40F Kittyhawk RAAF 3Sqn CVS FL304 with CVZ FS407 and CVB CVY Sicily Italy Jul 1943 AWM MEA0246

Curtiss P-40F Kittyhawk RAAF 3Sqn CVS FL304 with CVZ FS407 and CVB CVY Sicily Italy Jul 1943 AWM MEA0285

Curtiss P-40F Kittyhawk RAAF 3Sqn CVU taking off from Malta for a raid on Sicily July 1943 AWM MEA0189

Curtiss P-40F Kittyhawk RAAF 3Sqn CVV Bobby Gibbes FL308 Italy 1943 01

Curtiss P-40F Kittyhawk RAAF 3Sqn CVV Bobby Gibbes FL308 Italy 1943 AMW MEC0199

Curtiss P-40F Kittyhawk RAAF 3Sqn CVV taking off from Foggia Italy May 1943 AWM MEA0882

Curtiss P-40F Kittyhawk RAAF 3Sqn CVV under maintenance at Mileni Italy Dec 1943 AWM MEA0891

Curtiss P-40F Kittyhawk RAAF 3Sqn CVV under maintenance at Mileni Italy Dec 1943 AWM MEA0892

Curtiss P-40F Kittyhawk RAAF 3Sqn CVV under maintenance at Mileni Italy Dec 1943 AWM MEA0894

Curtiss P-40F Kittyhawk RAAF 3Sqn CVW FS431 wait for the go signal Foggia Italy 1943 AWM MEA0842

Curtiss P-40F Kittyhawk RAAF 3Sqn CVW FS431 with CVP FS411 Foggia Italy 1943 AWM MEA0843

Curtiss P-40F Kittyhawk RAAF 3Sqn CVx damaged by a Luftwaffe night raid at Agnone Sicily Italy 1943 AWM MEA0434

Curtiss P-40F Kittyhawk RAAF 3Sqn CVX FL2xx takes off for operations over Sicily July 1943 AWM MEC2053

Curtiss P-40F Kittyhawk RAAF 3Sqn CVx preparing for operations at Jesi Italy Nov 1944 AWM MEA2051

Curtiss P-40F Kittyhawk RAAF 3Sqn CVx taking off from Foggia Italy May 1945 AWM MEA0879

Curtiss P-40F Kittyhawk RAAF 3Sqn CVX taking off from Foggia Italy May 1945 AWM MEA0881

Curtiss P-40F Kittyhawk RAAF 3Sqn CVx taking off from Malta for a raid on Sicily July 1943 AWM MEA0188

Curtiss P-40F Kittyhawk RAAF 3Sqn CVX taking off with USAAF 42-3380 B 17F inline Foggia Italy May 1945 AWM MEB0299

Curtiss P-40F Kittyhawk RAAF 3Sqn CVY FL238 at Kairouan Tunisia 18th Apr 1943 AWM MEC0470

Curtiss P-40F Kittyhawk RAAF 3Sqn CVY FS407 prior to operations over Sicily July 1943 AWM MEC2067

Curtiss P-40F Kittyhawk RAAF 3Sqn CVY FS407 prior to operations over Sicily July 1943 AWM MEC2068

Curtiss P-40F Kittyhawk RAAF 3Sqn CVY FS407 taxiing for operations over Sicily at Malta Jul 1943 AWM MEC2103

Curtiss P-40F Kittyhawk RAAF 3Sqn CVY FS407 taxiing for operations over Sicily July 1943 AWM MEC0472

Curtiss P-40F Kittyhawk RAAF 3Sqn CVY FS407 taxiing for operations over Sicily July 1943 AWM MEC2104

Curtiss P-40F Kittyhawk RAAF 3Sqn FOff Arthur Dawkins with CV diamond FS482 Foggia Italy 1943 AWM MEA0847

Curtiss P-40F Kittyhawk RAAF 3Sqn FO Jack Doyle prior to operations over Sicily at Malta Jul 1943 AWM MEC2095

Curtiss P-40F Kittyhawk RAAF 3Sqn ground rearming aircraft prior to operations over Sicily at Malta Jul 1943 AWM MEC2097

Curtiss P-40F Kittyhawk RAAF 3Sqn ground rearming aircraft prior to operations over Sicily at Malta Jul 1943 AWM MEC2098

Curtiss P-40F Kittyhawk RAAF 3Sqn ground rearming aircraft prior to operations over Sicily at Malta Jul 1943 AWM MEC2102

Curtiss P-40F Kittyhawk RAAF 3Sqn ground rushing to prepare a aircraft for operations at Malta Jul 1943 AWM MEC2082

Curtiss P-40F Kittyhawk RAAF 3Sqn ground rushing to prepare a aircraft for operations at Malta Jul 1943 AWM MEC2083

Curtiss P-40F Kittyhawk RAAF 3Sqn P-40E CVx taking off from Malta for a raid on Sicily July 1943 AWM MEA0202

Curtiss P-40F Kittyhawk RAAF 3Sqn prior to operations over Sicily at Malta Jul 1943 AWM MEC2086

Curtiss P-40F Kittyhawk RAAF 3Sqn prior to operations over Sicily at Malta Jul 1943 AWM MEC2091

Curtiss P-40F Kittyhawk RAAF 3Sqn prior to operations over Sicily July 1943 AWM MEC2062

Curtiss P-40F Kittyhawk RAAF 3Sqn SqnLdr RNB Stevens aircraft at Malta Jul 1943 AWM MEC2084

Curtiss P-40F Kittyhawk RAAF 3Sqn SqnLdr RNB Stevens aircraft at Malta Jul 1943 AWM MEC2085

Curtiss P-40F Kittyhawk RAAF 3Sqn takes off for operations over Sicily July 1943 AWM MEC2051

Curtiss P-40F Kittyhawk RAAF 3Sqn taxiing for operations over Sicily at Malta Jul 1943 AWM MEC2087

Curtiss P-40F Kittyhawk RAAF 3Sqn taxiing for operations over Sicily at Malta Jul 1943 AWM MEC2090

Curtiss P-40 Kittyhawk RAAF 3Sqn Flt Peter Gilbert checks for damage at Sicily Italy 1943 AWM MEA0374

Curtiss P-40 Kittyhawk RAAF 3Sqn SqnLdr R Davies conducts a service at Grottaglie Italy Sep 1943 AWM MED2175

Curtiss P-40 Kittyhawk RAAF 3Sqn WO Douglas Short checks for damage at Sicily Italy 1943 AWM MEA0376

Curtiss P-40 Kittyhawk RAAF 3Sqn WO Douglas Short checks for damage at Sicily Italy 1943 AWM MEA0377

Curtiss P-40L Kittyhawk RAAF 3Sqn at Grottaglie Airfield Italy 1943 AWM MEA0722

Curtiss P-40L Kittyhawk RAAF 3Sqn CVC Eaton FS490 Italy 1943 0A

Curtiss P-40L Kittyhawk RAAF 3Sqn CVG FSgt Ray ODea at Grottaglie Airfield Italy 1943 AWM MEA0636

Curtiss P-40L Kittyhawk RAAF 3Sqn CVV at Grottaglie Airfield Italy 1943 AWM MEA0629

Curtiss P-40L Kittyhawk RAAF 3Sqn CVV at Grottaglie Airfield Italy 1943 AWM MEA0630

Curtiss P-40L Kittyhawk RAAF 3Sqn FOff Arthur Dawkins with CV diamond FS482 Foggia Italy 1943 AWM MEA0848

Curtiss P-40L Kittyhawk RAAF 3Sqn refuelling at Grottaglie Airfield Italy 1943 AWM MEA0714

Friendly fire a stupid USAAF P-47 Thunderbolt pilot strafed Cutella Airfield Italy 29th April 1944 AWM MEA1918

Friendly fire a stupid USAAF P-47 Thunderbolt pilot strafed Cutella Airfield Italy 29th April 1944 AWM MEA1919

Friendly fire a stupid USAAF P-47 Thunderbolt pilot strafed Cutella Airfield Italy 29th April 1944 AWM MEA1920

Friendly fire a stupid USAAF P-47 Thunderbolt pilot strafed Cutella Airfield Italy 29th April 1944 AWM MEA1921

Friendly fire a stupid USAAF P-47 Thunderbolt pilot strafed Cutella Airfield Italy 29th April 1944 AWM MEA1922

Italian Breda Be-25 seaplane captured intact but later given to the Free French Augusta Sicily Italy Sep 1943 AWM MEA0314

Italian Breda Be-25 seaplane captured intact but later given to the Free French Augusta Sicily Italy Sep 1943 AWM MEC2327

Italian Breda Be-25 seaplane captured intact but later given to the Free French Augusta Sicily Italy Sep 1943 AWM MEC2328

Italian Breda Be-25 seaplane captured intact but later given to the Free French Augusta Sicily Italy Sep 1943 AWM MEC2329

Italian Breda Be-25 seaplane captured intact but later given to the Free French Augusta Sicily Italy Sep 1943 AWM MEC2332

Italian Cant Z 501 Gabbiano float plane captured by RAAF 3Sqn later to Free French Sicily Italy Sep 1943 AWM MEA0311

Italian Cant Z 501 Gabbiano float plane captured by RAAF 3Sqn later to Free French Sicily Italy Sep 1943 AWM MEA0312

Italian Fiat RS 14 Seaplane captured at Augusta Sicily Italy Sep 1943 AWM MEA0309

Italian Fiat RS 14 Seaplane captured at Augusta Sicily Italy Sep 1943 AWM MEA0310

RAAF 3Sqn P40F Kittyhawks being serviced in Malta just prior to operations over Sicily July 1943 AWM MEA0184

USAAF 41-14015 P-40F Kittyhawk RAAF 3Sqn CVE WgCdr HF Billy Burton FL341 Libya 28th Dec 1942 0A

USAAF 41-14015 P-40F Kittyhawk RAAF 3Sqn CVE WgCdr HF Billy Burton FL341 Libya 28th Dec 1942 AWM MEA0186

USAAF 41-36576 Curtiss P-40E Kittyhawk RAAF 3Sqn CVI EV322 Sgt Gordon Scriber KIA Amarya LG91 Egypt Sep 1942 01

USAAF 42-3147 B-17F named Homesick Angel at Foggia Italy May 1945 AWM MEA0874

USAAF 42-3147 B-17F named Homesick Angel at Foggia Italy May 1945 AWM MEA0876

USAAF 42-3380 B-17F waits for take off clearance at Foggia Italy May 1945 AWM MEB0299

Vichy French Potez 63.11 fighter bomber captured by RAAF 3Sqn Lebanon Beirut AWM P12424

Curtiss P-40E Kittyhawk MkI RAF 3Sqn CVV ET953 lined up at LG91 Egypt IWM CM3526

Photo: Curtiss Kittyhawk Mark IAs of No. 3 Squadron RAAF lined up at LG 91, Egypt.

Source: Imperial War Museum IWM CM 3526 https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205212126

Aircrew RAF 3Sqn RAAF Sqn Ldr RHM Gibbes at LG91 Egypt IWM CM3112

Photo: Squadron-Leader R H M Gibbes, Officer Commanding No. 3 Squadron RAAF, at LG 91, Egypt, shortly after being awarded the DFC for his leadership of the unit in the Western Desert. After initial service with Nos. 23 and 450 Squadrons RAAF, Gibbes transferred to No.3 Squadron RAAF intime to see action during the Syrian Campaign in June 1941. He was rapidly promoted during his subsequent service in the Western Desert and took command of the Squadron in February 1942. Despite being shot down twice he continued to lead 3 Squadron through the Battle of Alamein and the Tunisian campaign before his tour finished in April 1943 with a victory score of 12 enemy aircraft shot down. Gibbes then returned to Australia to lead No. 80 Wing RAAF in the South-West Pacific from October 1944 to April 1945, and to serve thereafter with the Air Board in Melbourne until the end of the War.

Source: Imperial War Museum IWM CM 3112 https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205212125

Aircrew RAAF 3Sqn SqnLdr RHM Bobby Gibbes in his office at Marble Arch Libya Dec 1942 IWM CM5074

Photo: Squadron Leader R H M "Bobby" Gibbes, Commanding Officer of No. 3 Squadron RAAF, sitting in the cockpit of his Curtiss Kittyhawk, shortly after rescuing one of his pilots who had been brought down by anti-aircraft fire while the Squadron was attacking an enemy airfield on 21 December 1942. Gibbes landed his aircraft by the wreckage and took the pilot into his own cockpit. Although a wheel was knocked off on take-off, they got airborne safely and returned to base at Marble Arch, Libya, where he managed a successful landing on one wheel. The award of a DSO followed.

Source: IWM IWM CM 5074 https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205211932

Curtiss P 40E Kittyhawk RAAF 3Sqn CVJ AK796 with an assistant riding the wing whilst taxiing Egypt 1942 01

Photo: Kittyhawk Mk I (AK796) "CV J" of 3 Sqn RAAF. As in many other fighters of that era, a very limited forward view from the cockpit when taxiing around called for an assistant riding the wing. (Photo courtesy of the Royal Australian Air Force)

USAAF 41 36576 Curtiss P 40E Kittyhawk RAAF 3Sqn CVI EV322 Sgt Gordon Scriber KIA Amarya LG91 Egypt Sep 1942 01

Photo: A line-up of no. 3 Sqn RAAF Kittyhawks and Frank Cooney, the squadron's ground crew member, in casual desert attire. The aircraft in the middle (with white stars on wheel hubcaps) is 'CV-I' (EV322). For some reason, instead of two-shade disruptive pattern typical of DAF's Kittyhawks, this machine is finished in the colour known as 'desert pink', distinctive of American Warhawks (the aircraft never served with the USAAF). The photograph was taken on 15th September 1942 at Amarya landing ground (LG 91) in Egypt. In the afternoon of the same day Sgt. Gordon Scriber took the 'CV-I' into battle with Bf 109s of 1./JG 27, south-west of El Alamein, and perished along with it. He most probably fell victim of Obit. Hans-Joachim Marseille, Staffelkapitan 3./JG 27, who claimed no fewer than seven P-40s shot down in this scrap. (San Diego Aerospace Museum coll.) SDAMC

Egypt Map

El Adem, Libya Map

Foggia Italy Map

    Bibliography: +

Baugher, Joe. 'Curtiss P-40 Warhawk, Tomahawk, Kittyhawk.' American Military Aircraft.

Planes and Pilots: Curtiss P40 Vol 3 From 1939 to 1945. ISBN: 2913903479 Author: Anis Elbied Publisher: Histoire & Collections Paperback Pages: 84

Osprey - P-40 Warhawk Aces of the CBI (Aircraft of the Aces 35) ISBN: 184176079X Author: Carl Molesworth Publisher: Osprey Paperback Pages: 96.

Osprey - P-40 Warhawk Aces of the Pacific (Aircraft of the Aces 55) ISBN: 1841765368 Author: Carl Molesworth   Publisher: Osprey Paperback Pages: 96.

RAAF Camouflage & Markings 1939-45 Vol 1 ISBN: 0858800365 Author: Geoffrey Pentland Publisher: Kookaburra Hard Cover Pages: 144

RAAF Camouflage & Markings 1939-45 Vol 2 ISBN: 0858800373 Author: Geoffrey Pentland Publisher: Kookaburra Hard Cover Pages: 144

Jane's - Fighting Aircraft of World War II ISBN: 1851701990 Author: Bill Gunston Publisher: Janes Hard Cover Pages: 320

    Magazines: +

Airfix Magazines (English) - http://www.airfix.com/

Avions (French) - http://www.aerostories.org/~aerobiblio/rubrique10.html

FlyPast (English) - http://www.flypast.com/

Flugzeug Publikations GmbH (German) - http://vdmedien.com/flugzeug-publikations-gmbh-hersteller_verlag-vdm-heinz-nickel-33.html

Flugzeug Classic (German) - http://www.flugzeugclassic.de/

Klassiker (German) - http://shop.flugrevue.de/abo/klassiker-der-luftfahrt

Le Fana de L'Aviation (French) - http://boutique.editions-lariviere.fr/site/abonnement-le-fana-de-l-aviation-626-4-6.html

Le Fana de L'Aviation (French) - http://www.pdfmagazines.org/tags/Le+Fana+De+L+Aviation/

Osprey (English) - http://www.ospreypublishing.com/

Revi Magazines (Czech) - http://www.revi.cz/

    Web References: +

Wikipedia.org - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Messerschmitt_Bf_109

Wikipedia.org - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Messerschmitt_Bf_109_variants#cite_ref-100

Wikipedia.org - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Messerschmitt_Bf_109_operational_history

Flickr.com - https://www.flickr.com/photos/farinihouseoflove/2209839419/in/photostream

Editor for Asisbiz: Matthew Laird Acred

Send Mail
Please help us to improve these articles with any additional information or photo's.
If you should encounter any bugs broken links, or display errors just email us.

If you love our website please add a like on facebook

Please donate so we can make this site even better !!

This webpage was updated 6th April 2021

-xxx-