Pacific Wrecks
Pacific Wrecks    
  Missing In Action (MIA) Prisoners Of War (POW) Unexploded Ordnance (UXO)  
Chronology Locations Aircraft Ships Submit Info How You Can Help Donate
 
  P-38H-1-LO Lightning Serial Number 42-66502  
USAAF
5th AF
475th FG
431st FS

Pilot  2nd Lt. Ronald E. Dunlop, O-743429 (survived)
Force Landed  August 30, 1943
MACR  none

Aircraft History
Built by Lockheed Aircraft Corporation (LAC) in Burbank. Constructors Number 1013. This aircraft was the second H model built. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as P-38H-1-LO Lightning serial number 42-66502. Disassembled and shipped overseas to the South West Pacific Area (SWPA) and reassembled.

Wartime History
Assigned to the 5th Air Force (5th AF), 475th Fighter Group (475th FG) "Satan's Angels", 431st Fighter Squadron (431st FS) "Hades". Assigned to pilot Dean. No known nickname or nose art. Officially, written off September 4, 1943.

Mission History
On August 30, 1943 took off from Port Moresby piloted by 2nd Lt. Ronald E. Dunlop on a mission. Returning, this aircraft ran low on fuel and made a belly landing on the beach at Kukipi on flat sandy ground with scattered low bushes and trees. During the landing, the plane was demolished but the cockpit section remained intact.

Fate of the Pilot
Pilot Dunlop survived unhurt and walked to a nearby airfield, likely Terapo Airfield and was flown aboard a RAAF DH.83 Fox Moth back to Port Moresby and returned to his squadron.

Wreckage
Until 1980, this aircraft remained in situ where it force landed but became badly corroded. During 1980, PNG Museum modern history curator Bruce Hoy removed portions of the wreckage for the museum's collection.

References
USAF Serial Number Search Results - P-38H-1-LO Lightning 42-66502
PNG Museum Aircraft Status Card - P-38H Lightning 42-66502
Thanks to Bruce Hoy and Keith Hopper for additional information

Contribute Information
Are you a relative or associated with any person mentioned?
Do you have photos or additional information to add?

Last Updated
April 19, 2021

 

Tech Info
P-38
  Discussion Forum Daily Updates Reviews Museums Interviews & Oral Histories  
 
Pacific Wrecks Inc. All rights reserved.
Donate Now Facebook Twitter YouTube Instagram