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Republic P-43 Lancer


VH-KDK

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Easy to tell this was a Republic aircraft, like a scaled down P-47.

 

So decided to try one out from it's home base at Farmingdale Long Island, with some unexpected results.

 

1.WNS0m.jpg

Up at the crack of Dawn and away from Farmingdale, Republic Airport.

2.3I9ae.jpg

It's first flight was in 1940 and it saw service from 1941-44.

3.rSOZC.jpg

They were used in China by the Flying Tigers and ferry pilots remarked on their superior performance over the P-40s at high altitude.

4.pwGRD.jpg

With a service ceiling of 35,000+ and a maximum speed of 356mph they were the only aircraft capable of catching the Mitsubishi K-46 recon aircraft until the introduction of the P-38.

5.sHpr5.jpg

They were fast and well armed and were used for long range recon missions by the USAAF and RAAF prior to the P-38.

6.LQowJ.jpg

The USAAC thought the P-43s were obsolete from the start and they only used them for training. They were redesignated RP-43 indicating that they were unfit for combat.

7.HhoM8.jpg

The RAAF used 8 for long range photo recon and six survived to be returned to the USAAF in 1943.

8.yrb5.jpg

Only 272 were built.

9.NWrqQ.jpg

Things are starting to get interesting.

10.HTFwc.jpg

It is busy down there, better have a look.

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Reminds me of the scene in Tora! Tora! Tora! where the training plane is suddenly surrounded by Japanese aircraft on their way to Pearl Harbour.

12.DeRaC.jpg

There is another one. Time to go.

All straight vees with minimal cropping.

Hope you enjoy.

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Excellent shots and history lesson.

Great set and busy sky

Outstanding set of shots Martyn !! .

 

Cheers

 

Brad

nice shots !

A great airplane, some real wonderful mood and a very informative narative here - or in other words:

A fantastic series of shots!

Great shots Martyn. #11 is my favourite.

Many thanks for commenting. Glad you liked them
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