P-38E

[MIflyer]

 

[Wurger]

 

[SaparotRob]

I like the painted over red dot.

 

[MIflyer]

I like the painted over red dot.

YEAH! How about that! And note that there is no insignia on top of the wings.

Now, look at that gray rectangular thing, just aft of the pilot's seat. Do you think that is a clipboard with a map, stuffed back there?

 

[SaparotRob]

Not a clue.

 

[mjfur]

Here's another.

https://c8.alamy.com/comp/2DE1B52/p-38-lightning-united-states-air-force-2DE1B52.jpg

 

[Wurger]

 

[Gnomey]

Good stuff!

 

[MIflyer]

Note that all three of those photos show similar rectangular gray objects to the Right side of the pilot and to the rear. It does not look like any radio gear I am aware of.

 

[mjfur]

Perhaps the other side of it?

 

[MIflyer]

Perhaps the other side of it?

Could be, but what is it? It pretty much has to be flat, like a sign because it is tucked between the backrest and the window, and the photo tends to confirm that. I can imagine aircraft on patrol and interception duty having a signboard with which to communicate with intercepted aircraft.

By the way, that is an SCR-522 VHF radio so that picture is not from a very early timeframe.

Looks like a shot from a comic book, except it is real.

 

[special ed]

That was my original thought -- Comic books. I heard all P-38 pilots took their comic book collections from base to base.

 

[mjfur]

Map case.

 

[MIflyer]

Yep, a map case would make sense.

 

[72modeler]

I'm pretty sure it is a map case. Not a lot of room on the sidewalls of a P-38 to attach one, which was the normal location, especially with the large control column assembly on a P-38.
Mike

 

[Skyediamonds]

Very interesting comparison between the colored photo & the b+w. What makes it really intriguing is the colored photo & b+w photo shows the (same?) P-38 in almost the exact position relative to the camera ship & the clipboard itself is also in the exact same position.

However, aside from the markings missing on the top port wing, the colored picture shows the pilot in his combat gear & the b+w photo shows the pilot in what appears to be in his civvies.

Crazy things….