Pacific Wrecks - P-40E-1 Kittyhawk Serial Number A29-3

Missing In Action (MIA)

Prisoners Of War (POW)

Unexploded Ordnance (UXO)

Chronology

P-40E-1 Kittyhawk Serial Number A29-3 Tail Code 1

RAAF
Former Assignments
USAAF
5th AF
49th PG
7th PS
9th PS

Pilot P/O James W. Norton, 411173 (KIA, BR) Sydney, NSW
Crashed March 7, 1942

Aircraft History
Built by Curtiss in Buffalo, New York. Constructors Number 656. Originally intended for the Royal Air Force (RAF) as Kittyhawk Mark IA serial number ET195. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as P-40E-1 Warhawk serial number 41-24871. Disassembled and shipped overseas to Australia and reassembled.

Wartime History
During early 1942, assigned to the 5th Air Force (5th AF), 49th Pursuit Group (49th FG), 7th Pursuit Squadron (7th PS) "Screamin' Demons". No known nickname or nose art. Attached to the 9th Pursuit Squadron (9th FS) "The Flying Knights". On March 6, 1942 assigned to the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) as P-40E Kittyhawk A29-3 and administratively assigned two days later but was never assigned to any squadron.

Mission History
On March 7, 1942 took off from Bankstown Airfield piloted by P/O James W. Norton on a ferry flight bound for Archerfield Airfield. At 3:00pm, crashed at Wauchope, NSW killing the pilot. Afterwards, written off. Ultimate fate unknown, likely scrapped.

Recovery of Remains
After the crash, the remains of Norton were recovered.

Memorials
Norton was officially declared dead the day of the crash. He is buried at Queanbeyan Riverside Cemetery at GRM/2 in Queanbeyan, NSW.

References
WW2 Nominal Roll - James W. Norton, 411173
USAF Serial Number Search Results - P-40E-1 Warhawk 41-24871
ADF Serials - P-40E Kittyhawk A29-3
CWGC - James William Norton
FindAGrave - James William Norton (photo, grave photo)

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Last Updated
April 23, 2026

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