Aircraft History
Built by Lockheed Aircraft Corporation (LAC) in Burbank, California. Construction Number 5377. At the Lockheed Factory, converted from a P-38E Lightning into a F4-1 photographic reconnaissance version. Delivered to the U. S. Army with serial number 41-2159. Disassembled and shipped overseas to Australia and reassembled.

Wartime History
Assigned to the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). On September 4, 1942 received by 1 AD at Laverton Airfield. On October 16, 1942 assigned to 1 PRU. On October 30, 1942 took off from Laverton Airfield with F-4 Lightning A55-1 on a ferry flight to Hughes Field (30 Mile).

Mission History
On November 20, 1942 took off from Hughes Field (30 Mile) piloted by Flt Lt Cridland. Crashed two miles west of Livingstone, NT while attempting a go around with a failed engine. The pilot was killed in the crash and aircraft totally destroyed.

Wreckage
On November 24, 1942 the wreckage was received by 1 RSU and on December 18, 1942 converted to components and scrapped.

Memorials
Cridland was officially declared dead the day of the mission. His is buried at the Adelaide River War Cemetery at G.B.15.

References
ADF Serials - Lockheed Lightning A55-2
The Lockheed File - A55-1, A55-2, A55-3
RAAFDB - Lockheed Lightning A55-2
CWGC - Alan Thomas Cridland

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Last Updated
June 29, 2019