Aircraft History
Built by Lockheed Aircraft Corporation (LAC) in Burbank. Converted from a model P-38G into a F-5B-1 photographic reconnaissance version. Delivered to the U. S. Army. Disassembled and shipped overseas and reassembled.

Wartime History
Assigned to the 5th Air Force, 6th Photographic Reconnaissance Group, 25th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron. No known nickname or nose art. When lost, engines V-1710 serial numbers 94860 and 30560.

Wartime History
Assigned to the 5th Air Force, 6th Photographic Reconnaissance Group, 25th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron. No known nickname or nose art.

Mission History
On March 3, 1944 took off from Nadzab Airfield No. 4 (APO 713 Unit 1) piloted by 2nd Lt. Edwin A. Christian on a photographic reconnaissance mission over Tadji. Weather was clear. No information about this aircraft was received after take off. When it failed to return and was declared Missing In Action (MIA).

Search
On March 5, 1944 a photographic reconnaissance over But, Dagua, Boram and Madang failed to make any sighting of this aircraft, nor any fighters flying in this area. On March 6, 1944 fighters and a US Navy Catalina search the area, without result.

Memorials
Christian was officially declared dead on February 5, 1946. He earned the Purple Heart, posthumously. He is memorialized at Manila American Cemetery on the tablets of the missing.

References
American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Edwin A. Christian
FindAGrave - 2Lt Edwin A Christian (tablets of the missing)
PNG Museum Aircraft Status Card - F-5B Lightning 42-67363

Last Updated
February 18, 2020