Need 475th FG 433rd FS P-38 pics/info

[oboe]

Does anyone have any pics of P-38s in this squadron?   From what I've seen in my Osprey P-38 Aces book, it looks like I coudl do an historically accurate skin even with the current state of the P-38 texture map.

What I'm looking for is the tail number of an a/c that has no nose art.   Osprey shows profiles for #174 "Lizzie I" and number #170 "Little Eva".    Both of these a/c have nose art with text so due to the mirrored fuselage texture I can't do those.   I guess I could do one with nose art text if the text is an all capital palindrome, as in "OTTO" or "AVA" though....

Also, found some conflicting info on tail markings for the squad - can anyone resolve this:   Osprey show tail markings of vertical tail tip stripes of blue (upper and lower) with the a/c number positioned across the mid-upper surface.

But the photo below shows a/c #170 with a rudder post stripe and the red/white striped rudders, with the a/c number moved forward of the rudder:



Much thanks!

[Captain Virgil Hilts]

I have requested the information you need. I do not know if any of the pilots I know will have it. I do know that one of them was in the 475th FG, but he was not in the 433rd.

Perhaps we should contact the P-38 association, and several of the other groups, and request what is needed. Many of the groups and the squadrons have historical associations that are actually run by the pilots, and many of those are online.

[Guppy35]

I have the massive 475th FG History done by John Stanaway (an other Minnesotan btw Oboe)

The 38 in the photo you showed is a P38J15.  The pilot's name was Warren Lewis and it was with the 433rd FS, 475th FG.

There are 7 black and white photos of 170 in the book that confirm this paint scheme.  It was one of the first natural metal Js in the Group and lasted until September 44.

Jack Purdy's bird was "Lizzie V" and it did have nose art.

Here's the color profile of 170 from the Stanaway book.

Dan/Slack

[Guppy35]

Oboe, e-mail me at:

spit12@frontiernet.net

Seems like if you are interested in doing 38s I could keep you busy forever but it might be easier to loan you the books since you are close instead of scanning everything in sight

I've got more 38 books then I care to admit and have Group histories on the 1st, 8th, 20th,  49th, 55th, 82nd and 475th, all who flew 38s.  All have tons of photos.

Hub Hobby in Roseville might be a good spot to meet up

Dan/Slack

[Captain Virgil Hilts]

I sent out a request, but it turns out the closest I can get to the info requested is a friend from the 475th FG 80th FS Headhunters, and he has nothing from the 433rd.

I was recently given a great portrait by Robert Summers called "Sweet Sue", it is gorgreous, and signed by the artist AND the pilot. And "Sweet Sue" is a P-38 from the Headhunters.

[oboe]

Thanks, Guppy.   That image is perfect to finish up...

Cap Hilts, I don't find anywhere the 80th FS as part of the 475th FG - AFAIK it was made up of the 432nd, 433rd, and 434th FS's only.   I believe the 80th FS was part of the 8th FG?

[Guppy35]

80th FS Headhunters were part of the 8th Fighter Group.

Savage/Hilts knows it too.  Savage is a 38 expert.   He just got his signals crossed

Dan/Slack

[Captain Virgil Hilts]

Originally posted by Guppy35
80th FS Headhunters were part of the 8th Fighter Group.

Savage/Hilts knows it too.  Savage is a 38 expert.   He just got his signals crossed

Dan/Slack

You are correct sir. I've got entirely too much crap going on right now. I'm much more well versed on the plane and a few of the pilots than I am the units. I can't even hold a candle to Dan on the units.

[cwalker]

Are there any other color variations of the 38 besides shiny metal?

I swear I have seen 38's in books that had an all greenish appeal or even camo on them.