mustang1984 Posted October 24, 2010 Share Posted October 24, 2010 Hi Guys, I'm just getting started on some "Japan 1945" builds, but one aircraft has got me puzzled Did the P-38 ever fly missions over the Japanese home islands? I'm in the U.K and interest in the Pacific war isn't substantial so any good books you could suggest on the subject would be appreciated, I've pretty much only got the Aces books Regards Lee Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Boman Posted October 24, 2010 Share Posted October 24, 2010 Don't think so - but if it did, it would probably be in the shape of the P-38M nightfigter version Quote Link to post Share on other sites
11bee Posted October 24, 2010 Share Posted October 24, 2010 I'm pretty sure the P-38 never flew over Japan during WW2. In the last year, I believe the only planes that had the range to fly from Okinawa / Iwo were P-51's and P-47N's. To be honest, I am not even sure the P-38 was even used in the theater at that time. John Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mustang1984 Posted October 24, 2010 Author Share Posted October 24, 2010 I'm pretty sure the P-38 never flew over Japan during WW2. In the last year, I believe the only planes that had the range to fly from Okinawa / Iwo were P-51's and P-47N's. To be honest, I am not even sure the P-38 was even used in the theater at that time.John Thanks Guys, I have the Tamiya P-51D/K and Academy P-47N so that's great Did the B-24 Liberator ever fly missions over Japan? Lee Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Boman Posted October 24, 2010 Share Posted October 24, 2010 No, not as far as I know - the B-24 was used in India and on island hopping missions further south Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Finn Posted October 24, 2010 Share Posted October 24, 2010 Found via Google: P-38: FRIDAY, 10 AUGUST 1945 WESTERN PACIFIC ( Far East Air Force): In Japan, 80 B-24s, 118 B-25s, and 220+ P-47s and P-38s pound the Kumamoto area; B-24: Units of the 5th Air force began moving to Okinawa in mid 1945. The 22nd Bomb Group with B-24 arrived in Okinawa on 15 August 1945 and flew a few armed reconnaissance missions over the Japanese main islands. The 43rd Bomb Group with B-24 moved to Ie Shima in July 1945, flying missions against the Japanese main islands. The 90th and 390th Bomb Groups with B-24 moved to Ie Shima in August 1945 too late to fly any combat missions against the Japanese main islands. Also units of the 7th Air Force began moving to Okinawa in mid 1945. The 494th Bomb Group had the B-24 and moved to Okinawa on 24 June 1945 and began strikes on the Japanese main islands. The 13th Air Force in Alaska had the 28th Bomb Group, which had a mixture of aircraft, including LB-30 early in the war and B-24 from 1944 onwards. Seems to have mainly bombed the Kuril islands rather than any of the Japanese main islands. Jari Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mustang1984 Posted October 25, 2010 Author Share Posted October 25, 2010 This is fantastic, thanks Jari. Found out also that P-38L's of the 8th F.G did raid the home islands from Le Shima at the end of the war. Only thing about the B-24 definitely being over Japan is that I've now got to find, build and store a 1/48 B-24J and B-29!!!! Happy Days Lee Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Michael A. Posted October 26, 2010 Share Posted October 26, 2010 P-38s over Japan I am not sure about P-38s, the fighter, but F-5Bs, the reconnaissance version made trips to southern Japan as well as other far a way locations. A most difficult trip was to Saigon and back to Clark Field in the Philippians; not every aircraft returned. Check the IPMS Eagle Squadron web site, Gallery and review the Paul Trembley F-5B Project. He was a guest speaker some years ago at a chapter meeting. The chapter built a custom F-5B for him as a token of appreciation. Photos of his actual aircraft are on page two of the Gallery section pertaining to this project. A NMF F-5B without anti-glare panels in 1945; picture proof. If I recall he painted the tail himself; he liked the early Army Air Corps red and white markings. Paul was as super guest speaker and flew a very unique aircraft. I no longer remember the Photo Squadron he was assigned to, but one of their pilots flew a post strike mission over Nagasaki shortly after the ‘bomb’ was dropped. Michael A. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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