Bell P-400 - Cactus Air Force
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P-400 listed in the squadron records as “Old 13” was one of few original Airacobras delivered to 67th FS in the spring of 1942 and still serving
on Guadalcanal in the beginning of 1943. Primitive conditions on the remote Pacific airbases and lack of the spare parts and aircraft forced the ground personnel into many improvisations. Textbook example is the “Old 13” Airacobra story which already crash landed during her service on New Caledonia and her wreck was cannibalized for the spare parts. 67th FS heavy losses after its transfer to Guadalcanal and the critical lack of the aircraft on the island caused the abandoned Airacobra wreck to be restored to the airworthy condition after a complex repair. The aircraft received a new wing and also a number of many fuselage panels and hatches had to be replaced. According to the surviving repair record the replacement parts were painted in Olive Drab/Neutral Grey colors and therefore the Airacobra’s sported the unique display of the British and American camouflage shades. Further the more powerful engine was installed, and a damaged propeller blade replaced by another one balanced by pouring the melted plumb into its tip. The instrument panel was furnished with the essential gauges only, there were only holes after the rest of the instruments. The repaired Airacobra was christened “The Resurrection” and this inscription was painted on the both sides of the fuselage. Unfortunately, no photographic evidence exists so the inscription appearance is based on another 67th FS airplane
