Built by:	Michael Turner
Kit:	1/48 Eduard P-40N Warhawk Profipack (8036)
Kit Media:	Plastic
Modifications and Additions:	Built ‘Out Of Box’
Unit:	RNZAF, 18 Sqn
Location:	New Georgia, Solomon Islands, 1944
Pilot:	Various

Area of Operations

History

The furthermost south expansion of the Japanese Empire was the island of Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands. On the 7th of August 1942, US Marines landed on Guadalcanal, initiating a long and hard-fought campaign to take back the Solomon Islands and destroy the Japanese stronghold at Rabaul on New Britain.

Fighting alongside US forces were the forces of New Zealand, including the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF), which, amongst other types, flew the P-40.

By 1944, the New Zealanders found themselves based on the Island of New Georgia in the Solomon Islands, flying P-40Ns escorting US bombers to pound Rabaul as well as undertaking their own bombing and strafing missions against the Japanese.

Rather than rotate both pilots and aircraft into theatre and then back home for rest, RNZAF aircraft were owned and maintained by the Service Units and provided to which ever squadron was currently on active duty. Thus, 4 Service Unit (4 SU), and not the squadron owned the and named this aircraft “Gloria Lyons” after the squadron mascot.

Gloria Lyons was a young lady who was a patient at the Christchurch Public Hospital with tuberculosis of the spine. Gloria responded to a newspaper advertisement posted by two 4 SU servicemen “Two lonely airmen wish to correspond with two smart young ladies 18-21 with a view to friendship, interests, dancing, music and sport. Photo if possible.”

Regular correspondence followed and, when a P-40 with the squadron code “G” came up for maintenance, 4 SU decided to name it in Gloria’s honour.

Three different P-40s bore the name “Gloria Lyons” in turn, this model representing the last one, followed by a Vaught F4U Corsair.

This last P-40N survived the war and is currently in private hands.

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