Any P-38 fans out there?

[RabidAlien]

The P-38 has always been my favorite airplane (tied for top-spot with the A-10 Warthog), and was 100% responsible for getting me hooked on WW2 history. I bought the book "The Last Great Ace" by Charles A. Martin simply because it was about Maj. Thomas McGuire, the second-highest US ace of the war, who flew the P-38. I had no interest in him, per say, just wanted to know a little bit about the plane. The rest, as they say, was history. I was hooked.

I've had the opportunity to see one P38 up-close and personal, at the Evergreen Air Museum in McMinnville Oregon (www.sprucegoose.org). I am planning on making a trip to Cavanaugh Flight Museum sometime soon to drool around the RedBull P38. I would LOVE to see one of these birds in the air!

 

[syscom3]

Rabid, why not plan a trip to Chino this May and see the airshow? You will get to see 2, perhaps 3 of them fly around.

 

[evangilder]

And a whole lot of other cool warbirds as well.

 

[Micdrow]

Here is a series of photo's on Ruff Stuff you nomally dont get to see.

 

[RabidAlien]

Rabid, why not plan a trip to Chino this May and see the airshow? You will get to see 2, perhaps 3 of them fly around.

Ooooooo....very tempting! This year probably won't work out (new job, no vacation time, new kiddo, etc)...but....next year, the year after....!!!

 

[Micdrow]

Picture of the P-38 nose art a lighting in the EAA's musuem in the paint scheme of Richard Bong's aircraft.

 

[Aaron Brooks Wolters]

Great shots guys, love'em, keep'em coming.

 

[ccheese]

The P-38 has always been my favorite fighter... actually designated a
"pursuit aircraft" in it's early days. Saw lots of them flying when I was
a kid [circa 1940's]. Richard Bong knew how to use one....

Charles

 

[proton45]

The P38 is a beautiful aerocraft. The design is so reminiscent of the period it was made... it epitomized the 1930's ideal of "sleek, streamlined and modern".

 

[ppopsie]

If we'd got one like the Lightning,,,,,

 

[cooltouch]

Here are a few I took of "Joltin' Josie" several years ago at a Chino air show. Big files, so if you're on dialup, please be patient.

Best,

Michael

 

[storm_eagle]

Right engine of P-38L Lightning
N505MH / 44-53186/83 (cn 422-8441) Evergreen Aviation Museum Oregon

 

[Cota1992]

Smithsonian P-38 at Udvar-Hazy museum in Dulles.
Richard Bong had a engine failure in this aircraft Stateside while flight testing in 1945 (going from memory of what I read on the sign)
The wing above is the Enola Gay

 

[Messy1]

Cool stuff guys. P-38 is one of my favorites, right behind the P61. I just like the twin tail configuration. I do think it is over looked, when flown by someone who knows how to fly a twin engine, it was deadly.

 

[wheelsup_cavu]

Cool thread. 8)
Lots of good pics of the lightning.


Wheelsup

 

[mrb17]

I am very fortunate to have several pieces of Glacier Girl. I also have one of her engine bearings taken from her after her first flight in Middlesboro, Kentucky. She IS the "eighth wonder of the world" in my opinion, and probably one of the most beautiful restorations ever of a WW2 Warbird. I too have seen her fly side by side with "23 Skidoo". There is nothing that sounds quite like the Allisons in a P-38 whether it be an F model or an L!!!
I am sending a couple photos, one of my office wall in the Glacier Girl section, and another taken on her journey to England which she hasn't finished yet.

 

[Amsel]

Great photo, and welcome!

 

[ortonablue]

The P-38 appears to be a display of the great success the USA had developed during the WWII period in attempting to design planes in bold different designs. The P-38 was a truely remarkable fighter that has always intrigued myself on how any pilot could feel safe in combat with a design that looks so fragile. Well done P-38 and nice close up pics of the lightning everyone. I can say I will never see a P-38 live in the air in my area.

 

[cuccos19]

I always loved the P-38 Lightning, and any time I can, popularize the Lightning against the P-51 Mustang. I would never fly the slugish Mustang, but I would the Lightning, indeed!

 

[DerAdlerIstGelandet]

I would never fly the slugish Mustang, but I would the Lightning, indeed