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Pilot Captain Bobby R. Taylor, O-437282 (survived) Grayson County, TX Crashed December 28, 1943 MACR none Aircraft History Built by Lockheed Aircraft Corporation (LAC) in Burbank. Constructors Number 2115. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as P-38J-10-LO Lightning serial number 42-67604. Disassembled and shipped overseas to Townsville. Wartime History Assigned to the 5th Air Force (5th AF) and reassembled by the 12th Air Depot Group (12th ADG). No nickname, nose art or markings. Mission History On December 28, 1943 at 10:05am took off from Garbutt Field or Stock Route Airfield at Townsville (APO 922) on a piloted by Captain Bobby R. Taylor on a test flight. Thirty minutes later flying at 22,000' the cockpit began to fill with smoke and gas fumes and opened the side windows and descending to 17,000' but the smoke and fumes continued and released the canopy to clear the cockpit as the plane slowed to 125-135 mph with both engines running rough and although at a climbing attitude was loosing 300-400' per minute. Next, the P-38 began to shudder and go into a spin and required all the pilot's effort to keep it from spinning. Large amounts of gas were seeping from the right wing near the filler cap near the leading edge of the wing and rear on both wings. With the smoke and fumes unbearable, Taylor feathered the left engine, climbed onto the left wing and attempted to bailed out but was pushed back, returned to the cockpit then bailed out off the left wing. The P-38 then went into a roll and dive and crashed. When this plane failed to return it was initially reported as missing. Fate of the Pilot While bailing out, Taylor's headphones and parachute struck something, likely the tail stabilizer. When he pulled his rip cord, his parachute opened and landed unhurt at the base of Mount Elliott and spent the night in the outback. The next morning, he began walk looking for help. The next day at 1:00pm found a farm house and was taken back to base and treated for minor injuries and returned to duty. Memorials Taylor remained in the U.S. Air Force (USAF) and served in the Korean War. He retired with the rank of Colonel. He passed away on February 22, 2010 at age 92. He is buried at Fairview Cemetery in Denison, TX. References NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Bobby R. Taylor USAF Serial Number Search Results - P-38J-10-LO Lightning 42-67638 Oz@War - Crash of a P-38 Lightning at Mount Elliott Just South of Townsville on 28 December 1943 Statement of Pilot Involving Aircraft Accident P-38J 42-, 28 December 1943 by Captain Bobby R. Taylor 103 Fighter Sector Headquarters Operations Record Book: "28.12.43: At 1330 hours American Base Operations advised that they were making a search for missing Lightning and gave the Controller full particulars. The Controller requested 41 Squadron's Crash Launch to stand-by in case of emergency. At 1345 hours, the Control Tower, Garbutt, advised that they had received a report that the missing aircraft was seen north of Woodstock at 1045 hours and that it had burst into flames and the pilot bailed out. A report from A.O.R. advised that the aircraft was seen to crash into flames 15 miles S. of Giru. At 1700 hours the pilot had not been found and the Controller advised American Base Operations to contact Giru Police Station and have search party organized." FindAGrave - Bobby Ray Taylor (grave photo) Contribute Information Are you a relative or associated with any person mentioned? Do you have photos or additional information to add? Last Updated April 28, 2025
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