Research question: P-38J "Jandina" 8th FG 80th FS, Capt Jay Robbins

[oboe]

Found the full-size version of the file (click the image to enlarge):



And the accompanying text:

This rare image of P-38J-10-LO "Jandina II" Serial Number 42-67590, looking very war weary after transfer to the 475th FG. Interesting to note (just visible) is the painting over of the red checkers that were painted around the spinner band when with the 80th FS, and the nose has has been sunk in to make-shift ditch, or may have sunk there during severe rain!?

She was originally assigned to the 5th Air Force (5th AF), 8th Fighter Group, 80th Fighter Squadron "Headhunters". Her pilot being Jay T. Robbins with crew chief S/Sgt Devereaux. A large squadron Letter "A" was painted in yellow on the left side of the nose. Nicknamed "Jandina II" by Jay T. Robbins as the second aircraft assigned to him with that nickname, an abbreviation of his name "Jay" and his wife's nickname "Ina" joined together. Officially called "Jandina II" the name was never painted on the aircraft. Instead, on the left side of the nose (on the nose gun cowling) was the nose art of a Buddha figure wearing a robe with both hands raised upward. Below the cockpit on the left side of the nose was "Pilot Capt J. T. Robbins" and a scoreboard with Japanese rising sun flags representing his aerial victory claims. Below was stencilled "Crew Chief S/Sgt Devereaux". This art is unfortunately hidden (if not painted over) from the nose-panel being lifted for servicing taking place.

Afterwards, Robbins was assigned P-38J "Jandina III" 42-103988. Sometime after late March 1944, Jandina II; was transferred to the 475th FG "Satan's Angels", 432nd Fighter Squadron "Clover". The prior markings of the large yellow "A" on her nose, the name "Betty" on her port engine, have been painted over with new OD paint.  The previous red spinner checkers re-painted in yellow a spinner band, and OD nose cone tip, and the sqdns four leaf clover painted on the tip of the nose with new yellow gun-port trim. It was assigned a (currently unknown) new three digit tail code somewhere in the range of 140-169. The ultimate fate of this aircraft is also unknown, most likely scrapped or otherwise disappeared. 

Photo: Jack Cook Private Collection.

[Shuffler]

[Snip]
Interesting to note (just visible) is the painting over of the red checkers that were painted around the spinner band when with the 80th FS, and the nose has has been sunk in to make-shift ditch, or may have sunk there during severe rain!?[/Snip]

Hmmm I missed the part where it said you could see where the red checkered had been painted over. So it could still have that and be good to go. 

[Drano]

Geronimo II is another nice one. I likey the OD ones mo betta.

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