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| USAAF 5th AF 475th FG 431st FS Former Assignments 35th FG 39th FS |
Aircraft History Built by Lockheed Aircraft Corporation (LAC) in Burbank. Constructors Number 222-7087. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as P-38E-2-LO Lightning serial number 42-12653. On June 17, 1942 redesignated as P-38F-2-LO Lightning. On August 2, 1942 redesignated as P-38F-5-LO Lightning. Disassembled and shipped overseas to Australia and reassembled. Wartime History Assigned to the 5th Air Force (5th AF), 35th Fighter Group (35th FG), 39th Fighter Squadron (39th FS). Assigned to pilot Captain Charlie King. Squadron Number 27 in white on the nose and tail. Both engines had the squadron's shark mouth motif. The rear boom had a diagonal stripe with a thin white outline. In early March 1943 during the Battle of the Bismarck Sea pilot King claimed several aerial victories in this aircraft. While King was recovering from malaria in Australia, this aircraft was flown by other pilots. This P-38 was one of the top three scoring aircraft in the squadron, with many famous aces claiming victories piloting this plane. On December 27, 1942 took off from 14 Mile Drome (Schwimmer) near Port Moresby piloted by 2nd Lt. John Mangas as one of four P-38s led by Captain Thomas J. Lynch with 2nd Lt. Richard I. Bong and 2nd Lt. Kenneth C. Sparks. Over Dobodura they intercepted 35 enemy planes, the first P-38 Lightning aerial combat in the South West Pacific. Seven enemy planes were claimed, with Mangas credited with one. Two other four-plane flights of the 39th FS joined the melee claiming another six victories. For his gallantry during the mission, Mangas earned the Silver Star. Afterwards, this aerial battle was reported in the American press. On January 6, 1943, took off from 14 Mile Drome (Schwimmer) near Port Moresby piloted by 2nd Lt. John Mangas and claimed his second aerial victory attacking enemy fighters defending a convoy roughly 50 miles off Gasmata over the Huon Gulf. On January 8, 1943 took off piloted by 2nd Lt. Richard I. Bong on a mission over Lae. Over the target, he claimed his fifth aerial victory making him an ace. Flying this aircraft, Lt. Hoyt Eason became the first American P-38 Lightning ace of World War II. On January 8, 1943, took off from 14 Mile Drome (Schwimmer) piloted by Richard I. Bong on escort mission no. 1 over Lae. Over the target, intercepted by the Japanese fighters including Ki-43 Oscars from the 11th Sentai and A6M Zeros from the 582 Kōkūtai, and 252 Kōkūtai. During the air combat, Bong claimed his fifth aerial victory making him an ace. Later, C.O. Major George W. Prentice claimed an aerial victory flying this aircraft. Also Captain Robert L. Farout claimed an aerial victory flying this P-38. Afterwards, this aircraft was assigned to the 475th Fighter Group (475th FG) "Satan's Angels", 431st Fighter Squadron (431st FS) "Hades". Ultimate fate unknown, likely scrapped or otherwise disappeared. Officially written off August 28, 1944. References USAF Serial Number Search Results - P-38E-2-LO 42-12653 "redesignated P-83F-2-LO Jun 17, 1942, then P-38F-5-LO Aug 12, 1942 / 12653 SOC and scrapped Aug 28, 1944" Thanks to Gary Smith for additional information Contribute
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