Originally posted by oboe
I'd be glad to do this one.
More info - whose the pilot? This is a 475th bird then? ANy other pics available of the kill marker/pilot info area on the nose?
Also, am I seeing this correctly - there look to be two different versions of the US insignia. The boom insignia has a much darker blue and blue outlines around the bar. The wing insignia seems to be lighter blue and lack the blue outlines on the bar...
Thanks oboe, Pilot is Marion Kirby and it's of his P38H when he was Ops officer for the 431st FS, 475th FG. He returned home in January 44 so he never flew anything but early 38s in combat.
It would be the star and bar without the blue outline to the bar that was used for a time. I wouldn't change the shade of blue on the star and bar between the upper wing and boom Seems to me that was the artist guess and his attempt at fading the upper wing.
Kirby has confirmed the details on the markings
Including apparently the only known photo of his aircraft.
It said
PILOT
Lt. M.F. Kirby
above the 5 Japanese flags that are 3 on top of 2
Dan/CorkyJr
