|
Missing In Action (MIA) | Prisoners Of War (POW) | Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) |
Chronology | Locations | Aircraft | Ships | Submit Info | How You Can Help | Donate |
|
USAAF 5th AF 475th FG 431st FS |
Aircraft History Built by Lockheed Aircraft Corporation (LAC) in Burbank. Constructors Number 1328. At the factory, this aircraft was painted with olive drab upper surfaces and gray lower surfaces. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as P-38H-5-LO Lightning serial number 42-66817. Disassembled and shipped overseas to the South West Pacific Area (SWPA) and reassembled. Wartime History Assigned to the 5th Air Force (5th AF), 475th Fighter Group (475th FG) "Satan's Angels", 431st Fighter Squadron (431st FS) "Hades" to pilot 1st Lt. Thomas B. McGuire, Jr. Nicknamed "Pudgy". Assigned Squadron Number 131 (Red 131) was painted on the nose and tail. Nicknamed "Pudgy" after his wife, the second aircraft to bear this name, also referred to as "Pudgy II", although the roman numerals were not part of the painted nickname. Painted on the side of the cockpit was "Pilot Capt. T. B. McGuire" and a rectangular scoreboard with Japanese rising sun flags (four rows 5-5-5-2) indicating McGuire's 17 aerial victory claims at the time. Below was the USAAF serial number stencil. This was the second aircraft assigned to 1st Lt. Thomas B. McGuire, Jr. His first was P-38H "Pudgy" 42-66592 until damaged August 29, 1943 and written off. He continued to fly this aircraft until assigned P-38J "Pudgy III", P-38L "Pudgy IV" and P-38L "Pudgy V" 44-24155. Each aircraft was McGuire's squadron number 131 on the nose and tail. Ultimate fate unknown, likely scrapped or otherwise disappeared. References USAF Serial Number Search Results - P-38L-1-LO Lightning 42-66817 Contribute
Information Last Updated
|
P-38 Photo Archive |
Discussion Forum | Daily Updates | Reviews | Museums | Interviews & Oral Histories |
|