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| USAAF 5th AF 49th FG 17th FS(P) Former Assignments 35th FG |
Pilot Captain Jim Porter (survived) Ditched November 4, 1942 MACR none Aircraft History Built by Lockheed Aircraft Corporation (LAC) in Burbank. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as P-38F Lightning serial number unknown. Disassembled and shipped overseas to Australia and reassembled. Wartime History On September 17, 1942 assigned to the 5th Air Force (5th AF), 35th Fighter Group (35th FG). During November 1942 assigned to the 49th Fighter Group (49th FG), 17th Fighter Squadron (Provisional) at Amberley Field. No known nickname or nose art. Mission History On November 4, 1942 took off from Amberley Field piloted by Captain Jim Porter as one of eight P-38s plus a B-25 Mitchell on a ferry flight via Horn Island Airfield bound for Port Moresby. After landing at Horn Island Airfield to refuel, the formation took off again. After take off, the right engine of this P-38 failed. Unable to release his drop tanks, Porter made a steep turn and ditched into the sea 500 yards off Horn Island (Ngurapai) halfway between King Point Quarry and bottom of Horn Island Airfield no. 1 runway. Rescue During the ditching, Porter only suffered minor injuries. Immediately, Porter was rescued by a launch and transported to Horn Island. Afterwards, Porter continued the flight in another plane. Wreckage Afterwards, this P-38 was towed using a truck from the sea onto King Point beach and stripped by a RAAF Repair & Salvage Unit (RSU). Ultimate fate unknown likely scrapped. Keith Hopper adds: "I have a photocopy of a photograph of Porter's P-38 on the beach being stripped by Australians (RSU), they used a blitz truck to tow it up onto the beach." Reference Activation And History of 17th Fighter Squadron (Provisional) P-38 Type Aircraft pages 1 via AFHRA NAA "No. 28 Operational Base Unit (RAAF) at Horn Island" November 4-5, 1942 "November 4, 1942 - 1400 hours B-25 and 8 P-38’s left for Moresby [their arrival at Horn Is is not mentioned], took off from No. 2 runway. One P-38 starboard engine cut out over King Point, made a steep turn and went into sea 500 yards off shore halfway between King Point Quarry and bottom of No. 1 runway. Pilot picked up OK by rescue launch. All aircraft returned to Horn Island. Attempted salvage P-38. November 5, 1942 - 0945 B-25 and 7 P-38’s departed. P-38 taken to King Point beach, required next high tide to complete beaching." 39th Fighter Squadron Diary - November 6, 1942 "Douglas, Rauch and six strangers brought up eight ships to replace the ones we almost sent to Guadalcanal." Thanks Keith Hopper and Edward Rogers for additional information Contribute Information Are you a relative or associated with any person mentioned? Do you have photos or additional information to add? Last Updated
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