USAAF
5th AF
35th FG
39th FS
Richard E. Smith, 1943
Former Pilot Lt. Richard E. Smith, O-725368
Damaged April 12, 1943
Aircraft History
Nose Number 26. This aircraft was assigned to pilot Richard E. Smith. He painted the nose art "The Japanese Sandman" on the left side of the nose. It had his six victory markings painted on the left side, forward of the cockpit.
Mission History
Damaged by high rev engine stress during the Japanese
air raid on April 12, 1943 against Port Moresby, when it was flown by another pilot in the rush to scramble. It was written off or crash landed on this mission.
Afterwards, Smith was assigned a new aircraft, P-38H 42-66905 that he nicknamed "Japanese Sandman II".
P-38
