Aircraft History
Built by Lockheed Aircraft Corporation (LAC) in Burbank. Constructors Number 422-8352. This aircraft was one of
the last Lightnings built. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as P-38L-5-LO Lightning 44-53097.
Converted into a model P-38M-6-LO Lightning night fighter with radar, an elevated rear seat and extended rear canopy for
a second crew member. On December 29, 1945 at Kingman Army Airfield and assigned to Reconstruction Finance Corporation (RFC) and offered for sale.
Postwar
Sold and registered as NX67861. Later, aquired by the Cuban Air Force, During July 1954, assigned to the Fuerza Aerea Hondurena (Honduran Air Force) as FAH-503, the second aircraft to use this serial number.
Later, acquired by Bob Bean Aircraft of Blythe, CA during February 1960 and registered as N9011R. Next, displayed at the Champlin
Fighter Museum. Later, sold to Cecil Harp and Bob Ennis of Modesto, CA. In 1983 it was converted back to its original L model configuration with a single-seat.
Display
Today, displayed at the Museum of Flight in the World War II gallery on pylons. Painted in the markings of P-38L "Lizzie V" 44-25930 assigned to pilot 1st Lt. John E. Purdy frin 475th Fighter Group (475th FG), 433rd Fighter Squadron (433rd FS).
References
USAF Serial Number Search Results - P-38L-5-LO Lightning 44-53097
"53097 (MSN 422-8352) converted to P-38M-6-LO night fighter. To RFC at Kingman AAF Dec 29, 1945. To civil registry as NX67861. To Cuban AF, then to Fuerza Aerea Hondurena, July 1954 as FAH-503 (2nd use of the serial). Acquired by Bob Bean Aircraft of Blythe, CA Feb 1960 and registered as N9011R. then N7TF, then N3JB. At the Champlin Fighter Museum. Possibly acquired by the Museum of Flight, Seattle, WA. Now on flyable display as N3JB at Champlin Fighter Aircraft Museum, Mesa, AZ. Relocation to Seattle, Washington reported"
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Last Updated
December 18, 2025
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