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| USAAF 5th AF 8th FG 35th FS  Jack Fellows 2001 |
Aircraft History Built by Lockheed Aircraft Corporation (LAC) in Burbank. Constructors Number 422-???? (four digits unknown). Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as P-38J-15-LO Lightning serial number 42-103921 [incorrect, not a P-38J-15 serial number the second to last digit is likely wrong]. Disassembled and shipped overseas and reassembled. Wartime History In early April 1944, assigned to the 5th Air Force (5th AF), 8th Fighter Group (8th FG), 35th Fighter Squadron (35th FS) at Nadzab Airfield. Assigned to pilot Lt. Richard L. West. Squadron number 3 on the nose and tail. On the left side of the nose was nose art of five playing cards representing the royal flush hand in poker with an ace of hearts, king of hearts, queen of hearts, jack of hearts and 10 of hearts. Below the cockpit was Lt Richard E. West and his scoreboard with Japanese rising sun flags (3x3x2) indicating aerial victory claims. The tip of the tail was yellow with a thin black stripe at the lower edge. The propeller spinners were painted yellow. On July 1, 1944 began operating from Owi Airfield. Fate Ultimate fate unknown, likely scrapped or otherwise disappeared. References Many sources list the serial number as 42-103921 [sic] this number is a P-51C-10-NT Mustang that was written off July 17, 1944 and is not the correct serial number for this aircraft. NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Richard L. West USAF Historical Study No. 85 USAF Credits For The Destruction of Enemy Aircraft, World War II Alphabetical: West, Richard L. page 198 (PDF page 205) Hall of Valor - Richard Lee West (award citations) FindAGrave - CPT Richard Lee “Dick” West (photo, grave photo) P-38 Lightning Aces of the Pacific and CBI (1997) pages 54 (profile 35), 95 (profile 35 description) Aces of the Eighth Fighter Group (2001) by Jack Fellows depicts this P-38 over New Guinea Contribute
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