p-38j over europe 170 - eduard · the lockheed p-38 lightning was developed to a united states army...
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US WWII FIGHTER
P-38J over Europe 1170
1:48 SCALE PLASTIC KIT
introThe Lockheed P-38 Lightning was developed to a United States Army Air Corps requirement. It became famous not only for its performance
in the skies of WWII, but also for its unusual appearance. The Lightning, designed by the Lockheed team led by Chief Engineer Clarence 'Kelly' Johnson, was a complete departure from conventional
airframe design. Powered by two liquid cooled inline V-1710 engines, it was almost twice the size of other US fighters and was armed with four .50 cal. machine guns plus a 20 mm cannon, giving the Lightning not only the firepower to deal with enemy aircraft, but also the capability to inflict heavy damage on ships.
The first XP-38 prototype, 37-457, was built under tight secrecy and made its maiden flight on January 27, 1939. The USAAF wasn´t satisfied with the big new fighter, but gave permission for a transcontinental speed dash on February 11, 1939. During this event, test pilot Kelsey crashedat Mitchell Field, NY. Kelsey survived the cash but the airplane was written off. Despite this, Lockheed received a contract for thirteen preproduction YP-38s.
The first production version was the P-38D (35 airplanes only armed with 37mm cannon), followed by 210 P-38Es which reverted back to the20 mm cannon. These planes began to arrive in October 1941 just before America entered World War II.
The next versions were P-38F, P-38G, P-38H and P-38J. The last of these introduced an improved shape of the engine nacelles with redesigned air intakes and cooling system. Also, the curved windscreen was replaced by a flat one.
One of the Lightning´s weaknesses was a huge vibration during dive attacks caused by transsonic airflow on the wings. Lockheed never solved this problem, but dive brakes were installed under each wing from P-38J-25 production block to maintain control when diving at high-speed.
The fastest of the Lightnings was the P-38J with a top speed of 420 mph, and the version produced in the greatest quantity was theP-38L - 3,735 left the Lockheed factory while 113 left Vultee assembly lines. So-called 'Drop Snoots' were fitted with bombardier type noses, and used to lead formations of bomb-laden P-38s to their targets.
The P-38M was a two-seat radar-equipped night fighter, a few of which had become operational before the war ended. As noted above, the P-38 was the biggest singleseat fighter to serve with the USAAF. Its overall length was 11.53 m; height was 3.00 m and
wingspan was 15.85 m. The -J version weighed in at 6,214 kg empty and 9,980 kg loaded.The P-38 was the only US fighter aircraft produced throughout US involvement in World War Two, from Pearl Harbor to Victory over Japan Day.The P-38 was used in a number of roles, including dive bombing, horizontal bombing, ground-attack, photo reconnaissance missions, and
extensively as a long-range escort fighter.The US top aces, Richard Bong (40 victories) and Thomas McGuire (38 victories), flew this aircraft in the Pacific Theater of Operations. P-38s
also served in the China-Burma-India Theater and in the South West Pacific area, and was the primary long-range fighterof the USAAF until the arrival of adequate numbers of P-51D Mustangs in 1944/45.
The internal fuel capacity of 410 gallons could be increased to 1,010 gallons with two external drop tanks. This enabled the Lightning to flya distance of 3,640 km, allowing it to become one of the most feared fighters in the Pacific War as well as the first fighter ready and able to carry out long range escort missions for four-engined bombers over Europe.
P-38J-25-LO, s/n 44-23627, flown by 1stLt. Sam Plotecia, 392nd FS, 367th FG, Juvincourt AB, France, 1944
There is a very interesting story behind this nose art. The artwork was based on the picture taken on the beach. The artist dind´t forget to depict the ball and the steam boat floating in the background. After the war Sam Plotecia married the girl from the picture and they lived together till his death in 2004. Nowadays Anastassia Plotecia (her maiden name was Koza) lives in Maryland. Despite of the help coming from the pilot´s family side we didn´t managed to fully restore the appearance of the aircraft – the individual code letter is chosen radomly. Only first two letters – Ni…- from the female name on the left engine are known. Nicol has been chosen. Sam Plotecia was one of the participants in the aerial battle over Clastres airfield on August 25, 1944. He is credited with one Focke-Wulf damaged. The 367th FG was awarded with Presidential Unit Citation for this battle, the highest award for the combat unit.The full story of our research focused on this aircraft is available in Info No. 7 Vol. 12 on www.eduard.cz.
47 69 ? 70 ? 71 ? 72 85 73 MC218
118
MC218MC218 62
H1133
H12
ÈESKOU VERZI TEXTU A KOMPLETNÍ KAMUFLÁŽNÍ SCHÉMA NALEZNETE NAwww.eduard.com/info/photos/1170
Pred zapocetím stavby si peclive prostudujte stavební návod. Pri používání barev a lepidel pracujte v dobre vetrané místnosti. Lepidla ani barvy nepoužívejte v blízkosti otevreného ohne. Model není urcen malým detem, mohlo by dojít k požití drobných dílu.
Carefully read instruction sheet before assembling. When you use glue or paint, do not use near open flame and use in well ventilated room. Keep out of reach of small children. Children must not be allowed to suck any part, or pull vinyl bag over the head.
Von dem Zusammensetzen die Bauanleitung gut durchlesen. Kleber und Farbe nicht nahe von offenem Feuer verwenden und das Fenster von Zeit zu Zeit Belüftung öffnen. Bausatz von kleinen Kindern fernhalten. Verhüten Sie, daß Kinder irgendwelche Bauteile in den Mund nehmen oder Plastiktüten über den Kopf ziehen.
Iire soigneusement la fiche d´instructions avant d´assembler. Ne pas utiliser de colle ou de peinture a p roximité d´une flamme nue, et aérer la piece de temps en temps. Garder hors de portée des enfants en bas âge. Ne pas laisser les enfants mettre en bouche ou sucer les pieces, o u p asser u n s achet v inyl s ur l a t ete.
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INSTRUKTION SINNBILDEN INSTR. SYMBOLY SYMBOLES INSTRUCTION SIGNS
APPLY EDUARD MASKAND PAINT
POUŽÍT EDUARD MASKNABARVIT
OPTIONALVOLBA
FACULTATIFNACH BELIEBEN
BENDOHNOUT
PLIER SIL VOUS PLAITBITTE BIEGEN
OPEN HOLEVYVRTAT OTVORFAIRE UN TROU
OFFNEN
SYMETRICAL ASSEMBLYSYMETRICKÁ MONTÁŽ
MONTAGE SYMÉTRIQUESYMMETRISCHE AUFBAU
NOTCHZÁØEZ
L INCISIONDER EINSCHNITT
REMOVEODØÍZNOUT
RETIRERENTFERNEN
UPOZORNÌNÍ ATTENTION ACHTUNG ATTENTION
DÍLYPARTS TEILE PIECES
2
BARVYCOLOURS FARBEN PEINTURE
PLASTIC PARTS
PE - PHOTO ETCHED DETAIL PARTS
R1
RP - RESIN PARTS
Mr.COLORAQUEOUS
GSi Creos (GUNZE)
C3H 13 FLAT RED
OLIVE DRAB C38H 52
C33H 12 FLAT BLACK
C62H 11 FLAT WHITE
C34H 25 SKY BLUE
C12H 17 COCOA BROWN
C80H 35 COBALT BLUE
C4H 4 YELLOW
Mr.COLORAQUEOUS
Mr.METAL COLOR
STAINLESSMC213
SM06 CHROME SILVER
Mr. METALLIC COLOR SUPER
DARK IRONMC214
ALUMINIUMMC218
TIRE BLACKH 77 C137
C27H 58 INTERIOR GREEN
C13H 53 NEUTRAL GRAY
A>B> C>
D>E> F> G> Tire>
R2 R3
R42pcs.
R52pcs.
R62pcs.
R74pcs.
R82pcs.
R92pcs.
R152pcs.
R10
R11 R12 R13
R14R16
R17R18
R19 R20R21
R22 R23 R24R25
R26
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R11
R12
C33H 12
FLAT BLACK
C33H 12
FLAT BLACK
C27H 58
INT. GREEN
3
A B
C
PE7
PE6
PE11
PE11
PE3
PE21PE10
PE12
PE10
PE13
D
R14
R15
R15
R11
PE19
PE4
PE3
PE12
PE13
R12
PE22
PE23
PE15
PE16
C33H 12
FLAT BLACKC33H 12
FLAT BLACK
PE14
R17
R18
C27H 58
INT. GREEN
C27H 58
INT. GREEN
B
A
C
R18
R19
R13
R25
R17
R10
C27H 58
INT. GREEN
C27H 58
INT. GREEN
C27H 58
INT. GREEN
C33H 12
FLAT BLACK
C27H 58
INT. GREEN
R22
R23PE25
R21
R20
PE8
PE9
PE9PE8
R24
C33H 12
FLAT BLACK
C33H 12
FLAT BLACK
C27H 58
INT. GREEN
C27H 58
INT. GREEN
C33H 12
FLAT BLACK
C33H 12
FLAT BLACK
R16
PE2
PE1
PE5
C33H 12
FLAT BLACK
C27H 58
INT. GREEN
C33H 12
FLAT BLACK
R12
4
E F
G H
I J
PE48 PE49
PE46
PE47
PE50
PE51
PE30
F29
F32
F33 F34
TIRELARGE
E23
E222 pcs. 2 pcs.
PE34
PE35
F12
E15
E16
D4, D7
D5, D6
PE45
PE44PE45
PE44
A2
A1
D
D8
C27H 58
INT. GREEN
PE52
R6
R4R5
F30 F31
F35 F36
F27
F28
PE32
PE33
F17C27H 58
INT. GREEN
SM06CHROME SILVER
C137H 77
TIRE BLACK
C27H 58
INT. GREEN
C33H 12
FLAT BLACK
G
H
E
F
C6
C5
R8PE53
PE54
PE38
PE39 PE36
PE37
B4
B3
B2
B1
C8
C7
MC218ALUMINIUM
MC218ALUMINIUM
C27H 58
INT. GREEN
C27H 58
INT. GREEN
MC218ALUMINIUM
MC218ALUMINIUM
MC218ALUMINIUM
MC218ALUMINIUM
MC218ALUMINIUM
D13
D14
D1
D3
D3
I
J
C4
C3
5
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N
K
L
E20
TIRESMALL
D11
D10
D9
D12
F8 F6
F5 F7
E18
PE24
PE31
PE20
F1
F2
F3
F4
F9
F10
A2
PE27
PE26
PE18
C3, C4
PE43
PE42
MC218ALUMINIUM
MC218ALUMINIUM
PE28
F26C38H 52
OLIVE DRAB
MC218ALUMINIUM
MC218ALUMINIUM
C38H 52
OLIVE DRAB
PE41
R3
R2
R1
PE40
G1
G5
G6
G3
R26
G2 G7
R1
R4 2 pcs. R4 2 pcs.
C27H 58
INT. GREEN
SM06CHROME SILVER
SM06CHROME SILVER
C137H 77
TIRE BLACK
6
G3
G6
G5
C9
C10
C10
weight
K
L
N
M
D2
F11D15
C2
E14E18
C1
20g
M
N
D17
C27H 58
INT. GREEN
C27H 58
INT. GREEN
SM06CHROME SILVER
SM06CHROME SILVER
C137H 77
TIRE BLACK
G7
G1
PE29
PE29
R9
R9
R7
R7
R7
R7
F20
F22
F21F24
F23
E1 E2
E1 E2
E1 E2
E4
E3
E5
G2
MC214DARK IRON
MC214DARK IRON
MC214DARK IRON
MC214DARK IRON
MC214DARK IRON
MC218ALUMINIUM
MC218ALUMINIUM
SM06CHROME SILVER
SM06CHROME SILVER
MC218ALUMINIUM
PE17
R26
G1
C33H 12
FLAT BLACK
MC218ALUMINIUM
MC218ALUMINIUM
eduard
A P-38J-25-LO, s/n 44-23677, flown by Maj. Robert C. Rogers, 492nd FS, 367th FG, Peray, France, August, 1944
This Lightning was flown by Maj. R. C. Rogers, CO of 392nd Fighter Squadron. Five swastikas beneath the cockpit symbolize five Junkers Ju 52s destroyed on the ground during attack on French airfields on August 25, 1944. Rogers served with USAF though many years after the war, he became the air attache in US embassyin Brazil also. He passed away on March 2, 2010.
74
H4YELLOWALUMINIUM MC218 RED
3H13
BLACK 33H12
BROWN12
H17OLIVE DRAB
38H52
90 92
96 97
47 93 94 91
MC218
4H4
33H12
MC218
MC21812
H173
H133
H13
MC218
MC218
MC218
4895
33H12
4H4
67 49
MC218MC218
33H12
4H4
47939491
96MC218
38H52
38H52
38H52
ÈESKOU VERZI TEXTU NALEZNETE NAwww.eduard.com/info/photos/1170
eduard8
B Lt. Jack M. Jarell died on December 14, 1944 being shot down during the aerial clash near Wiesbaden. He managed to bail out from his airplane but his fate remainsa mystery and has been noted as missing in action. He fell victim to Oblt. Lothar Wolff (min. 6 kills) from 14./JG 4 who flew Bf 109 fighter. The black&white D-day stripes were removed from the upper surfaces of his personal P-38 but the remains are still visible. The individual letter „M“ was painted on the inner side of both tails.
P-38J-10-LO, s/n 42-67940, flown by Lt. Jack M. Jarell, 485th FS, 370th FG
4H4
YELLOW34
H25BLUE
80H35
DARK BLUEOLIVE DRAB38
H5262
H11WHITE
STEEL MC213
13H53
GREY RED3
H13BLACK 33
H12
ALUMINIUM MC218
107 109
113?114 110
47 115 116 117
3H13
4895
33H12
4H4
34 49
47115116117
113 ? 114
38H52
33H12
33H12
62H11
33H12
62H11
33H12
MC213
13H53
111108
34H25
MC218
80H35
3H13
3H13
13H53
+112
38H52
3H13
3H13
MC213
105 74122? ?
62H11
33H12
34H25
3H13
13H53
13H53
62H11
33H12
3H13
34H25
62H11
33H12
121105
?
74
62H11
33H12
33H12
3H13
38H52
3H13
38H52
13H53
13H53
13H53
33H12
62H11
62H11
3H13
MC213
+112
62H11
62H11
38H52
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eduard
C Livingston´s Lightning wore D-day stripes on upper surfaces formerly. The photos show that the stripes were applied by hand and the lines between black & white are not straight. The bl ck and white paints were not applied directly on the natural metal surface but on the Olive Drab paint to improve the adsesion of the b&w paint. The D-day stripes were removed from the upper surfaces later on. Note the unpaited area surrounding the individual code letters. Livingston also took part in the aerial battle with Focke-Wulfs from II. Gruppe of JG 6 over Clastres on August 25, 1944. He was awarded with one confirmed kill and one probable kill. US forces lost 17 Lightnings from 367th FG, Luftwaffe had to write off 17 destroyed and 2 damaged Fw 190s.
a
9
P-38J-15-LO, s/n 42-68004, flown by 1stLt. Clark R. Livingston, 392nd FS, 367th FG, Juvincourt AB, France, December, 1944
4H4
YELLOW
ALUMINIUM MC218
RED3
H13OLIVE DRAB
38H52
BLACK 33H12
BROWN12
H1762
H11WHITE
13H53
GREY
76 78
77
45 84 85 88
MC218
33H12
MC218
MC218
38H52
12H17
3H13
3H13
38H52
38H52
MC218
MC218
MC218
4695
33H12
4H4
67 49
MC218MC218
45848588
62H11
79
75
33H12
62H11
33H12
MC218
33H12
62H11
62H11
33H12
62H11
33H12
MC218MC218
MC218
MC21833
H1262
H11 MC218
MC218
MC218MC218 62
H1133
H12
80
87
82
83+81
8783+81
82
13H53
13H53
ÈESKOU VERZI TEXTU NALEZNETE NAwww.eduard.com/info/photos/1170
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D The shark mouths are to seen on the single-engined fighters more frequently than on two-engined Lightnings, especially in ETO. This kind of artwork was perfectly visible on the Olive Dra / Neutral Gray camouflage on Capt. Scruthfield´s personal aircraft. The white triangles identified 55th FS within 20th FG. You can see temporary Scruthfiled´s score on the nose – a dozen of bomber escort missions (tophats), two top cover missions (umbrellas) and three sweeps (broomsticks).
b
P-38J-10-LO. s/n 42-67505, flown by Capt. Roy Scruthfield, 55th FS, 20th FG, King´s Cliffe AB, England, 1943-44
4H4
YELLOW OLIVE DRAB38
H5213
H53GREY BLACK 33
H12
50 ? 5152
53
47 56 57 55
4895
33H12
4H4
34 49
47565755
38H52
13H53
54 13H53
38H52
120
13H53
13H53
120
38H52
38H52
13H53
13H53
13H53
123+
124
58
38H52
38H52
61+60+59
61
60
59 59
61
60
60+61+59
38H52
38H52
123+
12458
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eduard
E Joe Myers was awarded with three confirmed and two probable kills during WW2. He downed three Bf 109s and damaged one Fw 190 and one Ju 88. The aircraft depicted was flown by this pilot by January 4, 1944. Myers crashed this Lightning during the take off that days. Besides the aircraft he destroyed 2000 lt fuel tank also. Myers´s P-38 wore camouflage scheme of Olive Drab / Neutral Gray. The white triangle indentified the 38th FS within the 55th FG. The nose-art is in the interesting contrast with pin-up girls. Note the author´s, Mr. Robert T. Sand´s sign. The individual code letter „O“ was present on the both inner sides of the tail. The serial numberon the tail is not photographically documented. Mission symbols in the form of broomsticks, sometimes with red umbrella are visible on the nose.
11
P-38J-10-LO, s/n 42-67685, flown by Maj. Joseph Myers, 38th FS, 55th FG, Nuthampstead AB, England, November, 1943
4H4
YELLOW OLIVE DRAB38
H5213
H53GREY BLACK 33
H12
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99 102
101
47 103 104 106+120
4895
33H12
4H4
34 49
47103104
38H52
13H53
100 13H53
38H52
13H53
13H53
38H52
38H52
38H52
13H53
13H53
13H53
38H52
38H52
38H52
38H52
98
?68 89
38H52
106+120?8689
There is a very interesting story behind this nose art. The artwork was based on the picture taken on the beach. The artist dind´t forget to depict the ball and the steam boat floating in the background. After the war Sam Plotecia married the girl from the picture and they lived together till his death in 2004. Nowadays Anastassia Plotecia (her maiden name was Koza) lives in Maryland. Despite of the help coming from the pilot´s family side we didn´t managed to fully restore the appearance of the aircraft – the individual code letter is chosen radomly. Only first two letters – Ni…- from the female name on the left engine are known. Nicol has been chosen. Sam Plotecia was one of the participants in the aerial battle over Clastres airfield on August 25, 1944. He is credited with one Focke-Wulf damaged. The 367th FG was awarded with Presidential Unit Citation for this battle, the highest award for the combat unit.The full story of our research focused on this aircraft is available in Info No. 7 Vol. 12 on www.eduard.cz.
P-38J-25-LO, s/n 44-23627, flown by 1stLt. Sam Plotecia, 392nd FS, 367th FG, Juvincourt AB, France, 1944
4H4
YELLOWALUMINIUM MC218 RED3
H13BLACK 33
H12BROWN
12H17
62H11
WHITE OLIVE DRAB38
H52
63 64+65
66
47 69 ? 70 ? 71 ? 72 85 73
MC218
33H12
MC218
MC21812
H173
H133
H13
MC218
MC218
MC218
4895
33H124
H4
67 49
MC218MC218
4769 ? 70 ? 71 ? 728573
62H11
118
62
33H12
62H11
33H12
MC218
33H12
62H11
62H11
33H12
62H11
33H12
MC218
MC21833
H1262
H11 MC218
MC218
MC218MC218 62
H1133
H12
33H12
38H52
38H52
38H52
© EDUARD M.A., 2012 www.eduard.com Printed in Czech Republic12
P-38J
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STENCIL VARIANTS
N O S T E P
N O S T E P
N O S T E P
N O S T E P
L
R
L
R
29b
29b29c
29c
TOP
12
7 31 4 5 6
6
27
16
19 28
23
12
14
22
8
21
1015
1511
2216
169
2313
30
32
43
20
17
29a
29a
29a
29a
44
43
31
33
43
29a
29a
20
25
26
26
35
36
37
37
39
39
39
39
41
42
14
18
40
40
38
38