Researching a new book. Need some P-38 factoids

[drgondog]

Would like to pin a/c (serial no.) and dates for a.) first P-38E modified with wing pylon/plumbing for Ferry tanks - a/c and date, b.) P-38G a/c number and date for first mod of LE Intercooler and new Cowl/radiator mod as prelude for P-38J - a/c and date of first flight, c.) experimental tests for both Fowler Flap combat settings and dive flap - a/c and dates, d.) first flight 55 gal LE tank - a/c and date.

Any help is most appreciated. Bodie and Ethell are vague on these details

Thanks in advance

Bill Marshall

[oboe]

Hey Bill,

Awesome to hear about plans for a P-38 book.

Do you know about Joe Baugher's site?  LOTS of info, based on serial numbers.   

http://www.joebaugher.com/usaf_serials/usafserials.html

For example, using the serial number of the P-38 in this photo, 266923,


I went to his site and found this:

42-66727/67101      Lockheed P-38H-5-LO Lightning
      .
      .
      .
      66923 used to test the carriage of two 1000-lb bombs in 1944.


<S>

[Guppy35]

Would like to pin a/c (serial no.) and dates for a.) first P-38E modified with wing pylon/plumbing for Ferry tanks - a/c and date, b.) P-38G a/c number and date for first mod of LE Intercooler and new Cowl/radiator mod as prelude for P-38J - a/c and date of first flight, c.) experimental tests for both Fowler Flap combat settings and dive flap - a/c and dates, d.) first flight 55 gal LE tank - a/c and date.

Any help is most appreciated. Bodie and Ethell are vague on these details

Thanks in advance

Bill Marshall

I would believe that the first 38Es with pylons went to the 54th FS in the Aleutians.  They did some long range testing in them and got some incredible flight times.  Ironic they were doing it in such lousy weather and succeeding before the 8th 38s were going long and having troubles.  I have the microfilm records around here somewhere for the 54th and if I can find them will look at the dates of those tests.  Been a while since I had them out however

[oboe]

Guppy between you and Lyric you guys are amazing.

Sorry I didn't realize how big that B&W photo I posted was, but I noticed something interesting - look at the leading edge of the right wing - it doesn't seem to be original - since the paint doesn't match and the lower wing insignia seems to be chopped off and doesn't extend onto it.  Could it be experimental leading edge tanks fitted to a H model?

[mikeWe9a]

Guppy between you and Lyric you guys are amazing.

Sorry I didn't realize how big that B&W photo I posted was, but I noticed something interesting - look at the leading edge of the right wing - it doesn't seem to be original - since the paint doesn't match and the lower wing insignia seems to be chopped off and doesn't extend onto it.  Could it be experimental leading edge tanks fitted to a H model?

There can't be leading edge fuel tanks fitted there, because the induction air cooling takes place there.  Leading edge tanks were fitted only after the J model added the intercooler in the chin, creating room in the leading edge.

It is possible that the leading edge had to be removed/replaced for some reason and it wasn't repainted prior to the photo.

Mike

[Mister Fork]

There can't be leading edge fuel tanks fitted there, because the induction air cooling takes place there.  Leading edge tanks were fitted only after the J model added the intercooler in the chin, creating room in the leading edge.

It is possible that the leading edge had to be removed/replaced for some reason and it wasn't repainted prior to the photo.

Mike

could be a repair due to some drunken taxing... The 80th were never in the Aleutians were they?

Have to admit...it looks really weird. Maybe a crease in the photo? Some bad photoshopping?  Mind you, the aircraft looks completely hobbled together compared to later production models.

Was this plane one of the experimental test H models?

[Guppy35]

It's a hard working OTU P38H that's been getting used and abused by rookie 38 drivers before moving to operational units and the latest 38 model.

[Hajo]

I'll search thoroughly Bodies book again.  Hope I can come up with something you missed.

Edit:  All I found is that three P38Es were shipped to Great Britain.  Numbers I found weren't serial numbers.  They were AF-105, 106 and 107.  They weren't Ferried.  Went by ship.
 They were contract number 322-61-04.  All three turned back over to the USAAF.  You're right it is confusing.  It states in production numbers that the E Models were the first to be flown
to Great Britain.  I found no mention of the upgrades, aircraft serial, or dates that were made on the E models to fly them there.

Sorry

[Stoney]

Guppy between you and Lyric you guys are amazing.

Sorry I didn't realize how big that B&W photo I posted was, but I noticed something interesting - look at the leading edge of the right wing - it doesn't seem to be original - since the paint doesn't match and the lower wing insignia seems to be chopped off and doesn't extend onto it.  Could it be experimental leading edge tanks fitted to a H model?

Probably white paint applied to the leading edge.

[drgondog]

Guys - thanks for feedback..

[RODBUSTR]

     Here is something to research.  Bob DeHaven's nephew told Me that  Bob's Squadron experimented with putting wing guns on the P-38.

[Vraciu]

Guppy between you and Lyric you guys are amazing.

+1

[drgondog]

I would believe that the first 38Es with pylons went to the 54th FS in the Aleutians.  They did some long range testing in them and got some incredible flight times.  Ironic they were doing it in such lousy weather and succeeding before the 8th 38s were going long and having troubles.  I have the microfilm records around here somewhere for the 54th and if I can find them will look at the dates of those tests.  Been a while since I had them out however

Guppy - I suspect the F-4-1 deployed to Australia may have been the first P-38E/Mod that actually became operational in early April, 1942 but the dates are murky for 54FS first date of operations in Aleutians..

[Guppy35]

Guppy - I suspect the F-4-1 deployed to Australia may have been the first P-38E/Mod that actually became operational in early April, 1942 but the dates are murky for 54FS first date of operations in Aleutians..

I need to make time to get to the library with the microfilm on the 54th.  That would give me the dates.  I'll try to get there should work and home permit in the next week or two.

[Guppy35]

Guppy - I suspect the F-4-1 deployed to Australia may have been the first P-38E/Mod that actually became operational in early April, 1942 but the dates are murky for 54FS first date of operations in Aleutians..

Interestingly enough I got a copy of a privately written 54th history in the mail today.  First Ops were flown in May 42 which were defensive in nature.  June 4, 1942 was their first offensive action escorting bombers.