I've got to hear the story behind this picture.
All I know for certain is that you can purchase the lovely photo from this eBay auction.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=400185986161&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:ITHowever after close examination of the photo, I believe there are several facts that we can substantiate.
Since the Amphibious P-38(A P-38) doesn't need an aircraft carrier's deck to takeoff, it can be launched from any sort of naval vessel. The two pedal powered propellers (visible in photo) pushed the A P-38 far enough away from the launch vessel to allow the pilot to safely start his engines. Once the A P-38 was running, the pilot had two attack options available.
- The pilot could go balls to the wall and get the A P-38 to cruise on the water at over 100mph. At which point the valiant crew would disconnect the P-38 from the flotation module and the P-38 would soar away. The crew would then pedal back to the launch vessel.
- The A P-38 could be used as a beach assault craft. The pilot would drive the A P-38 towards the beach using differential power to steer. The four 50 caliber machines guns and 20mm cannon would take care of any lightly armored threats. If an armored target presented itself, a A P-38 could use rockets to neutralize it. The flotation module has a total of six wheels on the underside (not visible in photo) that would be used to maneuver on land.
Me too, looking at the national insignia on the tail boom the plane either served in or was destined for Africa or the MTO, it also looks like the guns have been removed for some reason.
Sigh... I always thought you knew more about this sort of thing. Obviously you missed the "194556-S" is the bottom right corner. That tells us that this was just a training op. Which explains the lack of armament.
You're right about this particular A P-38 serving in North Africa. It went on to take part in the Operation Torch landings.
Despite being incredibly successful in battle, the A P-38 was pulled from service because of the salt water damaging the engines at an irreplaceable rate. This is why the A P-38 is absent from later beach landings such as Normandy and Okinawa.