RP-38E Lightning 54th FS

Re:RP-38E Lightning 54th FS (mdalegowski)

Fri, 11 Jan 2013 11:29:30 GMT

My dad was stationed on Attu from late 1943 thur Sept 1945. He was assigned to the P-38 squadron, 54th Fg 343rd FS. This was his plane he was attached to. The pilot was Lt. John Mackey. Dad did the nose art on both sides of the plane.
I have heard that at one time the plane was "itsy bitsy" but not sure when the name was changed. Later it was dubbed "Spirit of 76".

Mark Dalegowski

Re:RP-38E Lightning 54th FS (P 38 Buff)

Sun, 25 Jul 2010 13:02:03 GMT

Alex, you are correct, 41-2221. Picked this photo up on ebay last week.

Now I just need to get the history card.

Mike

Re:RP-38E Lightning 54th FS (P 38 Buff)

Tue, 06 Apr 2010 21:43:30 GMT

I'm pretty sure I found the name of the pilot. 2nd Lt. John S. Mackey from Ansley, Nebraska. He's in a list of officers from the 54th FS.

Went through Aviation Archaeology's site just to check for any accident reports for those serials to look for clues.
41-2222 P-38E 54th FS at time of accident 8/28/42
41-2223 P-38E 95th FS at time of accident 7/19/42
41-2224 P-38E 96th PS at time of accident 5/02/42
41-2226 RP-38E 77th FS at time of accident 4/01/43
41-2227 P-38E 54th FS at time of accident 4/10/43
41-2227 (second accident) what is interesting is it's listed as RP-38E in this one. 54th FS at time of accident 4/07/44
41-2228 RP-38E 55th FS at time of accident 4/28/43

Will keep digging for more clues.

Thanks to all those that have helped!

Mike

Re:RP-38E Lightning 54th FS (P 38 Buff)

Thu, 25 Mar 2010 20:39:22 GMT

I forgot to post the other photo. You see better in this one the areas that have been repainted.

Mike

Re:RP-38E Lightning 54th FS (buckeyeuk)

Thu, 25 Mar 2010 16:36:48 GMT

Mike just remembered where I saw no. 76; there's a colour photo in the P-38 gallery. Flown by George Laven as "Itsy Bitsy" on Adak, possibly to another pilot when Laven got his no. 80 ; there is a very nice colour air shot of no. 80 and the rest of his flight maybe over Attu but could be Kiska. I'm checking the maps of Kiska. The red bordered insignia means late 1943 or early 1944.
Let me know if you want to see it ( I saved it from an old magazine many years ago , think it was an AFM photo).
Nick

Re:RP-38E Lightning 54th FS (buckeyeuk)

Thu, 25 Mar 2010 16:13:50 GMT

There were actually 2 American airfields on Attu; Alexai Point to the east operational by June 1943 and Casco Cove by August. Both used also by Navy planes ( Fleet Air Wing 4 ) including PVs and PBYs. Note Japanese airstrip on Holtz Bay.
Shemya in use June also ( it had a 10,000ft. bomber runway) and the 344FS (P-40s) moved there, the 54FS re-locating from there to Attu in late Nov. and remaining til end of war. Apparently they continued their markings of yellow numbers and nose tips for some time. The 344th had a detachment on Attu.
Attu had been captured in May and the 343FG HQ was installed at Alexai in Jan. 1944; the group flew it's last combat missions in October, the main target of Kiska having been abandoned by the Japanese in August.
Alex is quite likely right about the original photo; the removal of identification and apparent assembly in one area ( not much chance of attacks by Japanese planes at this time except maybe medium bombers from the Kuriles) --plus the late 1943--1944 insignia ---the P-38Es were well worn by then---could mean disposal due.
I believe by 1945 all 4 squadrons ---11th, 18th, 54th and 344th---had later model P-38s .

Incidentally there is a drawing of P-38E no.91 "Gerry II" ( note spelling here) in a Nov. 1988 modelling magazine; it has the early bar-less insignia, yellow number and nose tip, white name and the 54th fighting leopard on the booms. Serial given as 41-2227, carried on tail. Date would be the first half of 1943. Presumably the same aircraft as above. I don't think the squadron's F-4s and 5s had nose numbers.
This is a rough sketch showing the 3 airfields, note mountain close to west side of Casco field. Massacre Bay was named after a slaughter of native Aleuts by Russians in the 18th century.

Nick

Re:RP-38E Lightning 54th FS (Alex Smart)

Thu, 25 Mar 2010 09:26:45 GMT

Hi,

Thank you for shearing the photo's with us.

If it is 41- followed by only four numbers there would only be these ten aircraft to choose from .
See JB's site to check.
41-2220 - Loaned to Royal Austrailian AF August 43, later Con by 5th AF.
41-2221 - Sal 45.
41-2222 - Con Dec 43.
41-2223 - Burbank 46.
41-2224 - Wrecked 42.
41-2225 - To RFC Ont Ca 45.
41-2226 - Con April 43.
41-2227 - Con July 44.
41-2228 - Spokane 45.
41-2229 - Con May 43.

If you find the correct serial number please let us know.
My money is on 41-2221 perhaps along with the others in the photo ready for Salvage in 45.
Thanks
Alex

Re:RP-38E Lightning 54th FS (P 38 Buff)

Wed, 24 Mar 2010 21:13:54 GMT

Yes that does look like Attu and R does stand for Restricted. I have seen some photo's of a P-38 numbered 76 but the rest of the markings don't match. Not sure if it's the same plane and the markings changed and number painted out or if 76 was reused and applied to different planes. Will keep searching for more info.

Mike

Re:RP-38E Lightning 54th FS (buckeyeuk)

Tue, 23 Mar 2010 13:56:17 GMT

This is Casco Cove ( Attu) in May 1943; the airfield was built at the base of the mountain on the flat ground.
The cove was named after the USS "Casco" (AVP-12) a seaplane tender and was in Massacre Bay. The Japs had a strip to the north at Holtz Bay.
The PBYs are from VP-45.
Nick

Re:RP-38E Lightning 54th FS (buckeyeuk)

Tue, 23 Mar 2010 13:05:07 GMT

Shemya is one of the few flat islands in the Aleutians; Attu is mountainous and the airfield was built at the base of one ( could be this.) Also the insignia is post-June 1943.
Doesn't "R" stand for "Restricted" ?
Nick

Re:RP-38E Lightning 54th FS (P 38 Buff)

Mon, 22 Mar 2010 20:35:16 GMT

No dates or information on the back of the photo's.

Mike

Re:RP-38E Lightning 54th FS (jpeters140)

Sun, 21 Mar 2010 19:02:53 GMT

Mike...The 343rd FG, 54th FS , served in Alaska.. They were equipped with the F-5 in 1943.

Stations in 1943 were:

Amchatcha 12 Mar 43;
Shemya 28 Oct 43;
Attu 20 Nov 43-8 Mar 46.

Is there a date on the photo...if so, the location may be able to be determined.

Information is from Maurer-Maurer "Combat Squadrons of The Air Force WW II".

JIm :-)

RP-38E Lightning 54th FS (P 38 Buff)

Sun, 21 Mar 2010 16:40:07 GMT

I have a 10X Loupe and was surprised to read RP-38E serial 41-222. Should be one more number to the serial but can't make anything out. The number on the nose is 76 but is painted out. Pilot is LT. Mackey.

In this photo you can see it at the center of the photo and next to it on the left is #91 Jerry II.

Kind of strange to see an RP-38E with a combat squadron. Anyone have info on it?

Mike