We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the place now called Victoria, and all First Peoples living and working on this land.
We celebrate the history and contemporary creativity of the world’s oldest living culture and pay respect to Elders — past, present and future.
Please be aware that this website may contain culturally sensitive material — images, voices and information provided by now deceased persons.
Content also may include images and film of places that may cause sorrow.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are advised that this website may contain culturally sensitive material — images, voices and information provided by now deceased persons. Content also may include images and film of places that may cause sorrow.
Some material may contain terms that reflect authors’ views, or those of the period in which the item was written
or recorded but may not be considered appropriate today. These views are not necessarily the views of Victorian Collections.
Users of this site should be aware that in many areas of Australia, reproduction of the names and photographs of deceased people is restricted during a period of mourning. The length of this time varies and is determined by the community.
Reuse of any Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander material on this site may require cultural clearances. Users are advised to contact the source organisation to discuss appropriate reuse.
Historical Details: The Curtiss Kittyhawk P-40E A29-53, construction number 16738, was originally built for the USAAC as 41-13522 but delivered to the Royal Australian Air Force in March 1942 as part of Lend Lease aircraft diverted to Britain. A29-53 was shipped into Austral. Description: In all more than 800 examples of the Kittyhawk served with the RAAF, mainly in the South West Pacific Area, making it both numerically and operationally the most important type employed in the defence of Australia in World War 2.
The Museum’s Kittyhawk. Level of Importance: National
Victorian Collections acknowledges the Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
peoples as the first inhabitants of the nation and the traditional custodians of the lands
where we live, learn and work.