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| USAAF 5th AF 475th FG 431st FS
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Aircraft History Built by Lockheed Aircraft Corporation (LAC) in Burbank. Constructors Number 422-4300. Nicknamed "Yippee" at the factory, as the 5,000th P-38 built. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as P-38J-20-LO Lightning serial number 44-23296. Disassembled and shipped overseas and reassembled. Wartime History During June 1944, assigned to the 5th Air Force (5th AF), 475th Fighter Group (475th FG), 431st Fighter Squadron (431st FS). On December 20, 1944 took off on a mission and "retired early" due to mechanical difficulty. On January 29, 1945 lost due to an "aerial accident". It is unclear what this accident was or where it was lost, likely in the Philippines. Ultimate fate unknown, likely scrapped or otherwise disappeared. John Stanaway adds: "I wish we had some clue as the disposition of the remains after the accident, but I suppose it was simply reduced to scrap." References USAF Serial Number Search Results - P-38J-20-LO Lightning 44-23296 "23296 was 5000th Lightning built and painted bright vermillion red and had the name YIPPEE painted on the underside of the wings along with signatures of hundreds of factory workers. Used by Lockheed test pilots Milo Burcham and Tony LeVier in flight demonstrations to show that the plane was manageable with one prop feathered. Assigned to 431st FS, 475th FG. Damaged in Philippines Dec 1944 and Jan 1945" Thanks to John Stanaway for additional information Contribute
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