Aircraft History
Built by Lockheed Aircraft Corporation (LAC) in Burbank during 1944. Constructors Number 422-8509. During July 1945 delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as P-38L-5-LO Lightning serial number 44-53254. Converted into a F-5G-6-LO photographic reconnaissance version. On February 20, 1946 assigned to the Reconstruction Finance Corporation (RFC) at Kingman Army Airfield and offered for sale.

Postwar
In April 1946, purchased for $1,250 by Lilee Products Company in Chicago, IL and registered in the United States as N25Y. During 1947, sold to J. D. Reed Company n Houston, Texas and painted in the markings of Bendix Racer Number 14 "Sky Ranger". In 1953 acquired by Hugh Wells of Baltimore, Maryland. In 1962 sold to Sylvan Lair & Vernon Thorpe in Yukon, OK.

During 1964 acquired by Marvin "Lefty" Gardner and Lloyd Nolan. In 1972 owned by Joe Henderson. In 1977 purchased by Marvin "Lefty" Gardner who reworked the turbo systems and intercoolers for optimum low-altitude performance and installed earlier P-38F air intakes for better streamlining. Painted white with red wingtips, tail tips and stub wing and spinners and blue trim with nose number 25 and later number 13 in red. Gardner reworked the turbo systems and intercoolers for optimum low-altitude performance and installed earlier P-38F air intakes for better streamlining. Known as White Lightnin', this P-38 was flown by Gardner in the Reno Air Races and flying in airshows across the United States.

On June 26, 2001 took off piloted by Ladd Gardner and while flying toward Greenwood Airport in Mississippi the left engine began running rough and the cockpit filled with smoke, overflew the airport and force landed wheels up in an field west of Greenwood Airport.

Afterwards, purchased by Red Bull. During 2004 stored at Burnet, Texas. Later that same year moved to Ezell Aviation in Breckenridge, TX for repairs and restoration. On June 2, 2008 first flight after repairs and the U.S. registration was switched to Registration Inc. Trustee in Austria. The restored P-38 has a unpainted aluminum finish with a red and white rudders with a blue stripe on the tail. The nose has the nickname "Red Bull" on the left side of the nose art of a woman and on the right side of the nose is the Red Bull and the company logo.

Display
Today part of the Red Bull "The Flying Red Bulls" collection of historic aircraft displayed at Red Bull Hangar-7 at Salzburg Airport and flown in airshows in Europe. During July 2026, scheduled to participate in EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.

References
USAF Serial Number Search Results - P-38L-5-LO Lightning 44-53254
"53254 (F-5G-6-LO) to RFC at Kingman AAF Feb 20, 1946. Flyable as N25Y by Marvin "Lefty" Gardner at Austin, TX. Under restoration after forced landing Jun 25, 2001. Acquired by Flying Bulls of Salzburg, Austria and moved Jan 2005 to Ezell Aviation of Breckenridge for restoration to flying condition. Renovation complete, first flight Jun 2, 2008. Apr 2008 issue of Aircraft Illustrated says that the plane has been shipped to its owners at Salzburg, Austria."
FAA Registry - N-Number Inquiry Results N25Y
Warbird Resource Group (WRG) Warbird Registry - P-38 44-53254 (photos)

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Last Updated
December 18, 2025