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

eduard

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

ÈESKOU VERZI TEXTU NALEZNETE NAwww.eduard.com/info/photos/1170

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

eduard10

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

ÈESKOU VERZI TEXTU NALEZNETE NAwww.eduard.com/info/photos/1170

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

ÈESKOU VERZI TEXTU NALEZNETE NAwww.eduard.com/info/photos/1170

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

eduard

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