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  P-38 Lightning Serial Number 42-????? Squadron Number 36
USAAF
5th AF
35th FG
39th FS



5th AF c1943

Aircraft History
Built by Lockheed Aircraft Corporation (LAC) in Burbank. Constructors Number unknown. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as P-38F Lightning serial number unknown. Possibly, this aircraft was P-38E Lightning serial number 42-12651 or a P-38F Lighting serial nuber unknown. Disassembled and shipped overseas and reassembled.

Wartime History
Assigned to the 5th Air Force (5th AF), 35th Fighter Group (35th FG), 39th Fighter Squadron (39th FS). Assigned squadron Number 36 on the nose and tail. Both lower engine cowlings had the squadron's shark mouth motif. No known nickname or nose art.

Mission History
On December 27, 1942 took off from 14 Mile Drome (Schwimmer) near Port Moresby piloted 2nd Lt. Kenneth C. Sparks as one of four P-38s scrambled to patrol over Dobodura. This P-38 was part of a four-plane flight including 2nd Lt. Richard I. Bong and 1st Lt. Tommy Lynch and P-38F 42-12653 piloted by 2nd Lt. John Mangas. In addition, the formation included two other four-plane flights of P-38s from 39th Fighter Squadron.

Over Dobodura they intercepted 35 Japanese planes, in the first P-38 Lightning aerial combat in the South West Pacific Area (SWPA).  Seven enemy planes were claimed, with Sparks claiming two.  Two other four-plane flights of P-38s from the 39th FS joined the melee claiming another six victories. During the combat, this P-38 sustained damage in the hydraulic system and the jammed guns. Landing at Dobodura No. 4, without hydraulics, the nose gear collapsed causing the plane to nose over and was damaged. Afterwards, this aerial battle was reported in the American press.

By February 1943 this P-38 was repaired by Sgt Donald D. Miller from the 45th Base Group, 450th Service Squadron (Provisional) at Dobodura. While under repair, the damaged P-38 was photographed with nose damage and the left propeller removed.

Afterwards, it is unclear if this plane returned to flying duty or was used for spare parts. Possibly, later in 1943 assigned to the 475th Fighter Group (475th FG) "Satan's Angels", 431st Fighter Squadron (431st FS) "Hades". Ultimate fate unknown, likely scrapped or otherwise disappeared. Officially written off October 2, 1944.

References
Individual Aircraft Record Card (IARC) P-38F Lightning 42-12651
USAF Serial Number Search Results - P-38E-2-LO / P-38F-2-LO / P-38F-5-LO Lightning 42-12651
Combat (Fighter) Report - 39th Fighter Squadron, Kenneth C. Sparks, December 27, 1942
"Result of engagement, including own and enemy casualties: I saw enemy aircraft crash into the ocean. Fired upon a Val type. Saw pieces fly off wings of enemy A/C, and smoke coming from the wings. I landed on Dobodura No. 4 strip. My wheel door shot up. Ship nosed over on landing."
Donald D. Miller Diary January 24, 1943 "I've been working on a P-40 and P-38 [this aircraft] but I think I'll be working on the B-17 now."
Stars & Bars (1995) page 568 (Sparks, 12/27/42 P-38F 42-12651)
Thanks to Edward Rogers for research and analysis

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Last Updated
November 13, 2022

 

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P-38

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