Any P-38F/G Variants in NMF?

[Curt B]

Hi All,

 

I've tried to research my thread question, but have come up blank thus far.  Obviously, many of the later P-38 variants had natural metal finishes, but I am curious as to whether there is any documented evidence that any P-38F/G/H models were ever delivered or flown in a natural metal 'paint' scheme.  Like I am sure many of you are, I am anxiously awaiting an announcement or release of a 1/48 Tamiya P-38J/L variant, so we can build a then-Captain Richard Bong 'Marge" P-38(J?).  However, were any earlier variant P-38s finished in colors other than the ubiquitous green over gray?

Edited December 3, 2020 by Curt B

[P-38 guy]

I don't think would of been delivered unpainted. Some had their paint removed in field. Most common would of been war weary hacks but there were others like below.

A number of U.S. and Australian Photo recon units used stripped down photo recon ships. 34th PRS below. Off the top of my head the  8th & 9th PRS

did along with an Australian unit.

 

Mike

 

 

[Curt B]

Wow, thanks for the info!  Looks like it would have been a pretty rare occurrence, to see an early variant P-38 in NMF.  But, if one had the wherewithal to do some scratch building to turn the Tamiya P-38F/G into a photo recon airplane, NMF looks like it could be done!  Neat!

[P-38 guy]

https://www.scalemates.com/kits/cmk-4398-f-4a-1-recon-lightning-conversion-set--1290307

 

https://pacificwrecks.com/aircraft/p-38/41-2130/8prs-F4-41-2130-14mile.html

 

Mike

[Curt B]

Thanks, Mike!!!

[arg]

On page 24 of the 1990 edition of "P-38 Lightning in Action" is a photo of an NMF P-38F.  The photo's caption says its an ex-RAF Lightning II, but the unit, pilot and location are unknown.  Some interesting details - the aircraft has five kill markings, and the prop blades appear to be NMF also!  Would love to know more about this aircraft - it would definitely be a 'different' P-38F to model.

Edited November 16, 2020 by arg

[Corey]

On 11/13/2020 at 5:11 PM, P-38 guy said:

I don't think would of been delivered unpainted. Some had their paint removed in field. Most common would of been war weary hacks but there were others like below.

A number of U.S. and Australian Photo recon units used stripped down photo recon ships. 34th PRS below. Off the top of my head the  8th & 9th PRS

did along with an Australian unit.

 

Mike

 

 

P-38 Guy, I’m interested in any info you might have on that top photo.  Is that P-38H-5 42-66865?  Is that a late war hack with the 475th FG?  
 

thanks!

 

Corey

[P-38 guy]

I've gone back and dug out the original and there's no info on the back. I've always been a bit stumped on this one. The artwork on the nose I haven't seen anywhere else. Looks like a woodpecker maybe. The closest i've seen to it is the 67th FS unit emblem and it's boxing rooster. No idea about the serial except the last three being 865 and that's looking at it with a loupe.

 

One of many mystery photo's I have.

 

Mike

 

[Corey]

6 minutes ago, P-38 guy said:

I've gone back and dug out the original and there's no info on the back. I've always been a bit stumped on this one. The artwork on the nose I haven't seen anywhere else. Looks like a woodpecker maybe. The closest i've seen to it is the 67th FS unit emblem and it's boxing rooster. No idea about the serial except the last three being 865 and that's looking at it with a loupe.

 

One of many mystery photo's I have.

 

Mike

 

Thanks for the reply Mike.  I went through the P-38 serials on Joe Baugher’s page and 42-66865 is the only serial that makes sense for that airplane.  Baugher doesn’t have any info for 865 specifically, but the other planes with similar serials served with the 347th or 475th fighter groups.  
The 67th FS is a good guess, it was a component squadron of the 347th and the rooster kinda looks like a squadron emblem.  
 

anyway, thanks for posting that photo, I’ve really enjoyed looking at it!

 

corey