Postwar
Assigned to RFC at Altus, OK on November 27, 1945. Disposed by the War Assets Administration at Altus, OK.

In July 1946, sold to James L. Harp of Aurora, IL and registered as NX79123 and flown as Bendix racer #95. Then owned by J. E. Howard of Champaign, IL during November 1946-1948. Afterwards, owned by Ray Reinert, Chicago-Palwaukee, IL from 1948-1950. Next, Carl C. Hughes, San Antonio, TX, 1950-1954. Then, Joseph P. Jacobson, Stilwell, KS, 1954.

Next, owned by Jack P. Hardwick, El Monte, CA from 1955-1976 and stored at Brackett Field, CA . As of approximately 1960, this P-38 was no longer in flyable condition and was stored at the airfield.

Restoration
In 1976, purchased by David Tallichet / Yesterdays Air Force (Military Aircraft Restoration Corporation MARC) and stored at Chino, CA. During 1984, restored at Tulsa, OK and returned to Chino, CA for further restoration. First flight November 1995 and the restoration completed in 1999. This P-38 was painted to represent P-38J "Marge" 42-104380 piloted by Richard I. Bong.

Loaned to March Field Museum during 1998-2001. Purchased by Paul Allen / Flying Heritage Collection during 1999-2002 and underwent refurbishment at WestPac Restorations.

During early 2003, sold to The Fighter Collection, Duxford, UK, 2003 and was moved to The Fighter Rebuilders / Planes of Fame Museum awaiting further restoration work. (Unknown if exported to UK or remained in CA).

In 2004, sold to Ronald Fagen / Minnesota Airways LLC of Granite Falls, MN. Painted in the markings of P-38G "Ruff Stuff" 43-2212 piloted by Norbert C. Ruff.

Later, painted in the markings of P-38 "Thoughts of Midnight" with squadron number 120 painted on the nose and tail with red propeller spinners.

References
USAF Serial Number Search Results - P-38L-5-LO Lightning 44-27231
"27231 (MSN 422-8235) to F-5G-6-LO. To RFC at Altus, OK Nov 27, 1945. To civil registry as NX79123/N79123. Race #95. Reported as scrapped in 1951 and cancelled Sep 3, 1970. Went to Victory Air Museum, Mundelein, IL and in Mar 1977 to Yesterday's Air Force at Chino, CA. Restored Jun 28, 1982. Put on display at P-38 National Association, March AFB, CA. Ownership passed in 1987 to Military Aircraft Restoration Group, Chino, CA. Has been bought by The Fighter Collection of Duxford, England from the Flying Heritage Collection of Rialto, CA who had themselves obtained it from David Tallichet. Flown from Rialto to Chino in May 2003 for final work by Fighter Rebuilders before delivery to The Fighter Collection. Sold in 2004 to R. Fagan of Minnesota and never left USA. Preserved and on display at Fagen Fighters World War II Museum, Granite Fall, Minnesota. Registered N79123, current"
P-38 Lightning / 44-27231
EAA Air Venture - Painting Ruff Stuff Nose art

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Last Updated
November 9, 2019