Bringing a Second World War aircraft back to life is a labour of love - especially when that aircraft's namesake happens to be Flash Gordon's arch nemesis, Ming the Merciless!
Also known as P-40E Kittyhawk A29-90 - 'Ming the Merciless' has recently been restored to its former glory by a dedicated team of mechanical super heroes.
Unveiling the restored aircraft, alongside Warrant Officer of the Air Force - Warrant Officer Ralph Clifton, Air Marshal Stephen Chappell, Chief of Air Force, spoke of his passion for history and its important role in helping us understand how the past shapes our identity and culture.
"Our Air Force has an incredibly proud history, especially the history of our aviators during the Second World War - they were daring, brave and endured unimaginable danger and sacrifice," Air Marshal Chappell said.
"By restoring Ming the Merciless, we are preserving the stories of the men who crewed this Kittyhawk, as well as the stories of the men who crewed the more than 840 Kittyhawks operated by the RAAF during the Second World War."
Soon after being allocated to 76SQN on 2 May 1942, A29-90 participated in the Battle of Milne Bay, New Guinea in August and September of that same year.
Flown by Flying Officer Peter Ash, on 4 August 1942 A29-90 set out from Gurney Field near Milne Bay, engaging with six enemy Zero aircraft as part of a patrol.
Flying Officer Ash was credited with a confirmed aerial victory against an enemy aircraft, the first for 76SQN over Milne Bay, before later returning to Gurney Field - despite A29-90 sustaining damage from enemy fire.
Following further service at a number of Australian bases, A29-90 was damaged beyond repair in 1944 following a forced landing.
Fast forward several decades and work to restore Ming the Merciless started in earnest in 2012.
Air Marshal Chappell said the unveiling of A29-90 was the culmination of a significant team effort.
"The restoration of A29-90 could not have been completed but for the efforts of Mr David Gardner, Senior Air Force Heritage Collections Manager and Mr Gary Walsh, Air Force Heritage Collections Curator," said Air Marshal Chappell.
"I would also like to acknowledge the work of Mr Doug Hamilton, Mr Mark Rendell and the team at Precision Automotive in Wangaratta Victoria - without whom this project would not have succeeded.
"In welcoming our international guests here to the Australian International Airshow 2025, I am honoured that you are among the first to see the restoration of A29-90 - a significant piece of Australian military aviation history."
While unveiled as part of the Australian International Airshow 2025, P-40E Kittyhawk A29-90 will be on permanent display at the RAAF Museum at RAAF Base Point Cook - the birthplace of military aviation in Australia and home to more than 100 years of years of Air Force history.
