WOW326 P-38 Lightning ‘Skidoo’

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Description

The Lockheed P-38 Lightning was a twin engined aircraft developed for an
Army Air Corps requirement for a heavy fighter. The P-38 had a distinctive
shape with twin booms and a central nacelle containing the pilot and
armament. Reputedly the Germans nicknamed the aircraft the fork tailed devil
and the Japanese called it the ‘two planes, one pilot’ fighter. The P-38 was
used as an interceptor, bomber, ground attack and reconnaissance aircraft,
it was used most successfully in the Pacific theatre. Its most noteworthy
role was where it was used to ambush Admiral Yamamoto who was flying in a
Mitsubishi Betty bomber on a morale boosting tour. Unbeknown to him the
Japanese codes had been partially broken and the USA were aware of his
movements. Yamamoto’s aircraft was shot down with Yamamoto being killed by
2 wounds during the air strike. His body was thrown clear of the wreck and
he was found the next day sitting upright in his chair underneath a tree as
if asleep. The Lightning’s greatest strengths were long range, high speed,
fast climb and concentrated firepower, it was a formidable aeroplane and the
only one to see service for the entire length of the US involvement during
WW2.

The skidoo, numbered 162, has the markings that Captain Dahl’s plane had while he was with the 432nd fighter squadron. Captain Dahl was a WWII flying ace who flew a P-38 in the Pacific Theater. Five victories were needed to become an ace. Nose art is an American Indian brave, running with his tomahawk.

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