# The plane Dan Rowan was shot down in **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [August 5, 2014, 1:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-plane-dan-rowan-was-shot-down-in/694863 "2014-08-05T13:55:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2014, 1:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-plane-dan-rowan-was-shot-down-in/694863/1 "2014-08-05T13:55:44Z")
[Curtis P-40 ‘rebuild project’](http://www.ebay.com/itm/P-40-Warhawk-49th-FG-veteran-Two-confirmed-kills-WW2-rebuild-project-/321483350567) on eBay. As interesting as it is seeing a Curtis P-40 ‘project’ come up for sale (at least, it’s interesting to me), and as amusing as it is that the ‘project’ is basically a data plate and a bunch of scrap metal, I wouldn’t wouldn’t think it needed a thread. But this caught my eye: > [@](#): > > The aircraft was flown by Lt Dan H David who later changed his name to Dan Rowan and was the host of Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In on NBC. :dubious: Wait. Dan Rowan was a fighter pilot? And his birth name was Dan David? [Let me google that](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dan_Rowan#Early_life_and_career). > [@](#): > > Born on a carnival train near the small town of Beggs, Oklahoma, under the name of “Daniel Hale David”… > > **World War II** > > During World War II, Rowan served as a fighter pilot in the United States Army Air Forces. He flew Curtiss P-40 Warhawk 42-104949 and shot down two Japanese aircraft before he was downed and seriously wounded over New Guinea. His military decorations include the Distinguished Flying Cross with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Air Medal, and the Purple Heart. It goes on to say ‘After his discharge, Rowan returned to California where he teamed up with Dick Martin and started a comedy night-club act.’ Aha! But Rowan & Martin didn’t become an ‘Act’ until the mid-'60s! Except looking up Dick Martin, the Wiki entry says they teamed up in 1952. Seven years after the end of the war, and I assume Rowan was discharged soon after the end; but technically Rowan teamed up with Martin after he was discharged, and they were indeed a team for a long time before I was born. The article doesn’t say when or why Rowan changed his surname. In the ad, there are small pictures from a book that are probably documentation of provenance, but they’re too small for me to read. So if Wikipedia can be believed (and I haven’t looked for more reliable citations), Dan Rowan really was born Dan David. He did fly a P-40, serial number 42-104949, and that’s the number on the data plate. It looks plausible that this ‘project’ is the comedian’s airplane. There’s only half a fuselage, one wing, new and reproduction parts, parts from other airplanes, most parts suitable for ‘patterns’. If this ship ever flies again, it will be a Ship of Theseus. Someone should paint The Flying Fickle Finger of Fate on it somewhere. ---
**Author:** ![Crotalus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crotalus/32/41_2.png) [@Crotalus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crotalus)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2014, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-plane-dan-rowan-was-shot-down-in/694863/2 "2014-08-05T14:10:34Z")
I have nothing to add to this except to thank you for posting it. I learned some interesting things and it brought a smile to my face. ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2014, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-plane-dan-rowan-was-shot-down-in/694863/3 "2014-08-05T14:21:28Z")
Nothing would prepare a comedian to get used to being shot down in flames quite like actually getting shot down in flames. Great pursuit of a story on your part too, thanks! ---
**Author:** ![luvrbcs](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7c8e57/32.png) [@luvrbcs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/luvrbcs)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2014, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-plane-dan-rowan-was-shot-down-in/694863/4 "2014-08-05T16:56:38Z")
His obituary mentioned this: “Rowan was born in Beggs, Okla., July 2, 1922. At 4, he was dancing and singing in a touring carnival with his parents. He was orphaned at 11 and placed in an orphanage in Colorado, where he was eventually adopted.” Maybe Rowan is his adopted name. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2014, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-plane-dan-rowan-was-shot-down-in/694863/5 "2014-08-05T17:06:00Z")
You might also be interested to know Ed McMahon of “The Tonight Show” was a USMC artillery spotter pilot in Korea, flying the O-1 Bird Dog, earning six Air Medals, and eventually retiring as a Colonel. Chuckling at Johnny’s jokes paid better, though. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2014, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-plane-dan-rowan-was-shot-down-in/694863/6 "2014-08-05T17:24:56Z")
So, how much are you going to bid? ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2014, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-plane-dan-rowan-was-shot-down-in/694863/7 "2014-08-05T17:35:56Z")
> [@Gatopescado](#): > > So, how much are you going to bid? Well… > [@](#): > > P-40 N PROJECT SOLD • $20,000 • FOR SALE BY OWNER • N model fuselage skin complete- oil tank holder-upper longeron kit w/ doublers(briggs)- stations 1-4 upper doublers- vert stab skins w/ orig vert for templates • Contact Ken Sciog - GREATEST GENERATION RESTORATION, Owner - located Grand Island, NY USA • Telephone: 7169135124 . • Posted July 19, 2014 > CURTISS TP40N • $449,000 • SOLD!! • Curtiss TP-40N Project, This aircraft is very complete consisting of high quality parts and can include the Limited type certificate #18 and factory dual control installation manual. Please inquire if you are a serious builder. Trades considered. • Contact Chris Prevost - VINTAGEAIRCRAFT COMPANY, Owner - located Sonoma, CA USA • Telephone: 707 938 2444 • Fax: 707 938 2453 • Posted July 10, 2014 Seriously, even if I had the money I wouldn’t do it. I don’t have the time to build a Vans! ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2014, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-plane-dan-rowan-was-shot-down-in/694863/8 "2014-08-05T18:20:05Z")
> [@lieu](#): > > Great pursuit of a story on your part too, thanks! If someone could find the story of Rowan’s air battles in his P-40, it would be a great story of a Pursuit. (FWIW, I barely did any research at all. :o ) ---
**Author:** ![mickaelusa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/67e7ee/32.png) [@mickaelusa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mickaelusa)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2015, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-plane-dan-rowan-was-shot-down-in/694863/9 "2015-03-28T18:48:09Z")
Hello Guys, I bought the wreck (data plates and parts) and I am very happy. The history behind is just great and it is worth to bring the scrap metal back into the air. Take care guys, Mickael ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2015, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-plane-dan-rowan-was-shot-down-in/694863/10 "2015-03-28T19:26:18Z")
> [@mickaelusa](#): > > Hello Guys, > I bought the wreck… Do you have it in your possession? Can you post pics? (Note: Pics cannot be posted here. They’ll need to be uploaded to Photobucket or something, and then linked here.) ---
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2015, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-plane-dan-rowan-was-shot-down-in/694863/11 "2015-03-28T19:44:56Z")
> [@mickaelusa](#): > > Hello Guys, > I bought the wreck (data plates and parts) and I am very happy. > The history behind is just great and it is worth to bring the scrap metal back into the air. > Take care guys, > Mickael Welcome to the Straight Dope! Thanks for stopping by and letting us know. ---
**Author:** ![48Willys](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/4/db5fbb/32.png) [@48Willys](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/48Willys)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2015, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-plane-dan-rowan-was-shot-down-in/694863/12 "2015-03-28T19:51:00Z")
> [@mickaelusa](#): > > Hello Guys, > I bought the wreck (data plates and parts) and I am very happy. > The history behind is just great and it is worth to bring the scrap metal back into the air. > Take care guys, > Mickael First, welcome to The Dope! I am glad that you plan to rebuild this aircraft. Do you plan to have a link to your restoration? If so, please post a link to it in this thread when you start it, so we can follow it. Where are you located? If in Western Colorado, I can come by & help after work & on some weekends. Thanks, 48. ---
**Author:** ![kopek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kopek/32/337_2.png) [@kopek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kopek)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2015, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-plane-dan-rowan-was-shot-down-in/694863/13 "2015-03-28T20:15:14Z")
OK, wrong theater of operations and all but ---- I just can’t help myself Vvvvvvery interestingggggg. Details and pictures please ---- we love details and pictures! ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2015, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-plane-dan-rowan-was-shot-down-in/694863/14 "2015-03-28T20:22:26Z")
> [@IvoryTowerDenizen](#): > > Welcome to the Straight Dope! Thanks for stopping by and letting us know. > [@48Willys](#): > > First, welcome to The Dope! Yes, Welcome to SDMB, **mickaelusa**! 🙂 You’ll find that there are several pilots here. Some, like me, struggle to find the correct combination of money, time, and weather to get into the air. Others make their livings as professional pilots. One well-respected member, now, sadly, gone, flew B-26s out of England in WWII. Some members are actively flying in General Aviation, and some have ‘hung up their spurs’ but still love it. I, for one, love airplane threads! ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2015, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-plane-dan-rowan-was-shot-down-in/694863/15 "2015-03-28T20:28:47Z")
You better love them, since you start most of them! 😉 ---
**Author:** ![48Willys](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/4/db5fbb/32.png) [@48Willys](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/48Willys)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2015, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-plane-dan-rowan-was-shot-down-in/694863/16 "2015-03-28T20:41:39Z")
> [@dropzone](#): > > You better love them, since you start most of them! 😉 You should try to catch up with Johnny by starting a few of your own! C’mon, I dare you! ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2015, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-plane-dan-rowan-was-shot-down-in/694863/17 "2015-03-28T21:20:16Z")
I’m following this thread with interest. Good info and find, Johnny (who’d a thunk it, Dan Rowan a P-40 pilot and awarded the DFC), and Mickael, welcome to the Straight Dope! I am not a pilot but am an avid fan of airplanes, especially WWII warbirds. Would love to see this Warhawk brought back to life!