Pilot History
Jay T. Robbins (Coolidge TX) was credited with a total of 22 kills at the end of the war. Later served as a Lt. General in USAF Strategic Air Command.

Aircraft History
Assigned to the 8th Fighter Group, 80th Fighter Squadron "Headhunters" to pilot Robbins.

"Jandina" (I, II, III, IV, V) was the name of all five of the P-38's Jay T. Robbins flew during WWII. The aircraft had a natural aluminum finish. The nose art was an oriental god with its hands above its head. The nicekname stood for his nickname "Jay" and his wife's "Ina", joined to "Jandina". Captain Jay T. Robbins name was painted in red, with victory markings (imperial rising sun flags). Below was the name of the Crew Chief S/Sgt H.P. Mosback.

Flying this P-38, Robbins was credited with his 19th kill on April 12, 1944.

On a mission on May 7, 1944, "Jandina III" lost nose wheel hydraulics returning from a mission. Robbins, was told to force land at Yamai, near Saidor. The aircraft was abandoned at Bilau on oil drums.

After this incident, he was assigned a new plane, "Jandina IV" P-38J 43-28832.

Wreckage
Abandoned on fuel drums at Biliau and remained 'in situ' until 1999. The 19 kills were cut out and missing from the nose. All that was visible was the name of the crew chief.

Identified as "Jandina III" from remains of the pilot and crew chief's names on the nose. The nose art and kills were cut off the wreck previously.

Recovery
Recovered in late 1999 by '75 Squadron' (no association with the RAAF unit). The group claimed wreck was reportedly dug up while the group was recovering aircraft from Finchafen. In fact, this wreckage was actually recovered from Biliau.

Containered at Lae on November 28, 1999 and shipped to Australia. After arriving in Melbourne, the aircraft was reportedly stored on Bruno Carnovale's property.

Later, during 2002, this and other wreckage was transported by road on city streets during Melbourne morning rush hour traffic and identified as P-38s and P-47s by many drivers. Containered along with other aircraft salvaged, including (possibly) P-38F 42-12652 and three Thunderbolts: P-47D 42-75284, P-47D 42-22521, P-47D 42-8074.

Shipped by boat to Westpac Restorations in Rialto, California. During 2003-2004, this wreckage was stored at their facility during 2003-2004. At the time, details on this aircraft were unknown due to non-disclosure agreement with the owner/client Paul Allen / Flying Heritage Collection.

This recovery has come under question as it was outside of their area covered by their export permit, and was cited as an illegal recovery in the PNG Government Public Accounts Committee Report in 2006.

Today, part of Paul Allen / Flying Heritage Collection in Arlington, WA.

References
P-38 Aces of the Pacific and CBI

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Last Updated
October 30, 2009

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