Pacific Lightnings 1175 US WWII FIGHTER 1:48 SCALE PLASTIC KIT

Home , 7th Fighter Squadron, Escort fighter, Fighter aircraft, Night fighter, Richard Bong

intro The 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 crashed at 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 the 20 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 the P-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 fighter of 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 fly a 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.

F P-38L, flown by the CO of 70th FS, 18th FG, Moret Field, Zamboanga, the Philippines, 1945

ÈESKOU VERZI TEXTU A KOMPLETNÍ KAMUFLÁŽNÍ SCHÉMA NALEZNETE NA www.eduard.com/s/1175

49 108 104 103 MC218 68+69

The first P-38s were obtained by the 18th FG in June, 1944 and this fighter wa used by the FG till the end of WW2. In 1945 the group was based at various airbases in the Philippines. The Lightnings with a red checker board and fuselage numbers from 100 to 150 belonged to the 70th Fighter Squadron. Three tail bands and the number 100 indicate this aircraft was flown by the squadron CO. ATTENTION UPOZORNÌNÍ ACHTUNG ATTENTION

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.

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.

Iire soigneusement la fiche dínstructions avant dássembler. Ne pas utiliser de colle ou de peinture a` p roximité dúne 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 pie` ces, o u p asser u n s achet v inyl s ur l a t ete.

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.

INSTRUCTION SIGNS INSTR. SYMBOLY INSTRUKTION SINNBILDEN SYMBOLES

OPTIONAL BEND OPEN HOLE SYMETRICAL ASSEMBLY NOTCH REMOVE APPLY EDUARD MASK VOLBA OHNOUT VYVRTAT OTVOR SYMETRICKÁ MONTÁŽ ZÁØEZ ODØÍZNOUT AND PAINT FACULTATIF PLIER SIL VOUS PLAIT FAIRE UN TROU MONTAGE SYMÉTRIQUE L INCISION RETIRER POUŽÍT EDUARD MASK NACH BELIEBEN BITTE BIEGEN OFFNEN SYMMETRISCHE AUFBAU DER EINSCHNITT ENTFERNEN NABARVIT

PARTS DÍLY TEILE PIECES B> PLASTIC PARTS C> A>

E> F> G> Tire> D>

PE - PHOTO ETCHED DETAIL PARTS

eduard RP - RESIN PARTS

R7 R8 R11 R12 R13 R2 R3 R5 R6 R9 R1 4pcs. 2pcs. R4 2pcs. 2pcs. 2pcs. R10 2pcs.

R19 R20 R14 R21 R25 R15 R16 R18 R22 R23 R26 2pcs. R17 R24

COLOURS BARVY FARBEN PEINTURE

GSi Creos (GUNZE) AQUEOUS Mr.COLOR AQUEOUS Mr.COLOR H 53 C13 NEUTRAL GRAY H 4 C4 YELLOW H 58 C27 INTERIOR GREEN H 5 C5 BLUE H 77 C137 TIRE BLACK H 11 C62 FLAT WHITE Mr.METAL COLOR H 12 C33 FLAT BLACK MC214 DARK IRON H 13 C3 FLAT RED MC218 ALUMINIUM H 47 C41 RED BROWN Mr.COLOR SUPER METALLIC H 52 C12 OLIVE DRAB SM06 CHROME SILVER 2 A B PE10 PE12 PE21

R17 PE7 H 58 C27 PE6 INT. GREEN

PE12 PE3 PE14 C PE10 PE13 PE11 H 58 C27 INT. GREEN PE11 R18 PE13 PE3

H 58 C27 R13 INT. GREEN PE9 R19 PE8 R18 PE9 PE8 R17 B R22 H 12 C33 FLAT BLACK H 58 H 12 C27 C33 INT. GREEN R23 FLAT BLACK R25 H 58 PE25 C27 INT. GREEN

H 58 R21 C27 INT. GREEN R20 A H 12 C33 H 12 FLAT BLACK C33 FLAT BLACK R24 C H 58 C27 INT. GREEN H 58 C27 INT. GREEN

R10 H 12 C33 FLAT BLACK

R14

H 12 C33 FLAT BLACK

R15 R12 R15 R11

H 58 PE19 C27 INT. GREEN H 12 C33 FLAT BLACK R11 H 12 H 12 C33 C33 FLAT BLACK FLAT BLACK H 58 H 12 C27 C33 PE4 FLAT BLACK PE22 INT. GREEN PE23 H 12 C33 FLAT BLACK R16 PE15 PE2 PE1 PE16 R12

PE5 R12 3 E F PE30 D8 PE50 PE48 PE49

H 58 C27 INT. GREEN PE46 PE51

A1 PE47

F29 F33 F34

F32

D 2 pcs. 2 pcs. E22 PE52 E23 F12

PE34 TIRE R4 LARGE R5 PE35 E15 A2 MC218 ALUMINIUM E16

H 77 C137 TIRE BLACK

SM06 F35 F36 CHROME SILVER G H PE32 D4, D7

MC218 PE33 ALUMINIUM D5, D6 H 12 C33 FLAT BLACK F17 H 58 C27 INT. GREEN PE45

PE44 MC218 F27 PE44 ALUMINIUM

PE45 H 58 F28 C27 INT. GREEN I J G

H 58 C27 INT. GREEN F30 F31 PE53 R8 MC218 ALUMINIUM

C6 MC218 ALUMINIUM H 58 H C27 PE38 INT. GREEN C5 PE39 PE36

MC218 ALUMINIUM PE37

B4 E B3

F MC218 ALUMINIUM

PE54 B2 C8 B1 C7 4 H 58 C27 PE18 INT. GREEN PE27 D3 PE26

D13 D1

I A2

C3 D14

MARKING E ONLY C3, C4

MC218 ALUMINIUM

C4 PE42

PE43 MC218 ALUMINIUM eduard K M E20 F10 G1 G3 F1

F2 G5 TIRE PE41 SMALL F9 R3

H 77 C137 PE28 TIRE BLACK R26 SM06 F3 CHROME SILVER MC218 ALUMINIUM R2 F4

F26 H 52 C12 G6 R1 OLIVE DRAB

SM06 CHROME SILVER H 52 C12 PE40 OLIVE DRAB MC218 ALUMINIUM F8 F6 L E18 G7

F5 F7 PE24 N D11

D10 R1 PE31

D9 PE20 D12 R4 2 pcs. R4 2 pcs. 5 N

SM06 CHROME SILVER

D2 M

H 58 C27 SM06 INT. GREEN CHROME SILVER

MC218 F11 ALUMINIUM D15 D17 H 58 C27 INT. GREEN

H 77 C137 TIRE BLACK N

SM06 CHROME SILVER K

L MC218 ALUMINIUM

SM06 CHROME SILVER

E14 E18 M MC218 ALUMINIUM

C9 C10

C2 20g weight C10

G3 MC218 ALUMINIUM R9 R26 MC214 G7 R7 DARK IRON H 12 C33 G5 FLAT BLACK G1 MC218 ALUMINIUM PE17 PE29 R7 G6

R7 MC214 DARK IRON PE29 G1

MC214 DARK IRON F20

F22 E1 E2 F21 MC214 F24 DARK IRON MC214 F23 DARK IRON

E4 E5 E1 E2

E3 E1 E2 6 A P-38L-5, s/n 44-25863, flown by Capt. Ken Hart, 431st FS, 475th FG, Lingayen, the Philippines, June, 1945

Ken Hart managed to achieve all his kills at the controls of the L version of the Lightning. This mount was assigned to Hart shortly after March, 28, 1945 when he had downed the last two of a total of eight Japanese aircraft. Hart´s personal Lightning sports the typical 431st FS 'Satan´s Angels' marking. The airplanes of this squadron had red tail tips and spinners and the fuselage numbers in the range from 110 to 139. The unit patch is painted on the radiator cowlings and on the nose tip as well. Whereas the inscription 'PeeWee' is widely known thanks to period photos, the female name of the nose right side has remained unclear. Our reconstruction offers one possibility – 'Rosita'. ÈESKOU VERZI TEXTU NALEZNETE NA www.eduard.com/s/1175 62 49 76 71 61 58 57

73 MC218 59 60

111 MC218 77 H52 80+75 MC218 12

H52 12

H13 3 72 67 66 MC218 MC218

H4 4 H12 33 MC218 MC218

34 45

111

50 MC218 MC218

79+65 H52 78 12

58 MC218 57 MC218

61 71 76 49 MC218

MC218

59 60

62 H4 H52 H13 H12 ALUMINIUM MC218 YELLOW OLIVE DRAB RED 4 12 3 BLACK 33 eduard 7 B P-38L-5, flown by Capt. Bob DeHaven, 7th FS, 49th FG, Tacloban, October, 1944

This Lightning was flown by Bob DeHaven over Leyte in October, 1944 and destroyed during one of the Japanese bombing raids later on. The incredible artwork on the tail depicted the head of a demon – the 7th Fighter Squadron was dubbed the 'Screaming Demons'. The demon was based on the death of the aboriginal demon Bunyap. DeHaven is credited with fourteen kills and his lucky number was 13. Most of his aircraft wore this number. DeHaven is considered to be the fighter pilot who killed Japanese ace Shigeo Nango (15 kills) over New Guinea on January 23, 1944. ÈESKOU VERZI TEXTU NALEZNETE NA www.eduard.com/s/1175

49 51 56 H11 62

MC218 H5 5

H11 H11 H5 H11 62 62 5 62 H52 MC218 51 12

H52 12

H5 H47 H13 MC218 5 41 3 46 MC218

MC218

H5 5 50 MC218 MC218

H4 4 H12 33 H5 5

34 45

MC218 H5 H11 5 H5 62 5

47 55 51 49 MC218 51

H11 H5 62 5

H11 H5 WHITE BLUE 62 5 H11 62 H4 H52 H13 H47 H12 ALUMINIUM MC218 YELLOW OLIVE DRAB RED RED BROWN 4 12 3 41 BLACK 33 eduard 8 C P-38L, flown by Lt. M. M. Jarboe, 36th FS, 8th FG, Ie Shima, Okinawa, May 1945

One of the 8th FG´s component units was the 36th Fighter Squadron, Flying Fiends. Many aircraft that belonged to this unit wore very nice artwork. The 36th FS aircraft were distinguished with black-white markings. The squadron patch – a fiend head – is painted on the engine cowlings. Period photo show an irregular shape of the letter 'I'. ÈESKOU VERZI TEXTU NALEZNETE NA www.eduard.com/s/1175

101 109 49 100 101 115 114

MC218 113 112

H12 H11 99 33 62 70 63 H12 64 MC218 33

H12 33

H13 105 MC218 3 MC218

102

MC218

50 MC218 MC218

H4 4

H12 H11 33 62

34 99 102 45

H12 H12 115 33 114 33 H12 33

101 100 49 MC218

MC218 112 113

110 101 H4 H13 H12 H11 ALUMINIUM MC218 YELLOW RED WHITE 4 3 BLACK 33 62 eduard 9 D P-38J-15, s/n 42-103921, flown by Lt. Richard L. West, 35th FS, 8th FG, Owi, July, 1944

Richard West flew this aircraft from April 1944 and managed to destroy two enemy airplanes with it. The first of them was a Zeke on June 16, the second was a Tony on July 27, 1944. The previous six kills were achieved flying a P-40 Warhawk. A further eight Japanese aircraft were downed by West by the end of WW2, all of them flying the P-38. Note the squadron patch, the jumping puma, on the right side of the fuselage gondola.

ÈESKOU VERZI TEXTU NALEZNETE NA www.eduard.com/s/1175

49 81a 54 53

MC218

H4 52 4 81b 87 H52 88 MC218 12

H52 12

H13 MC218 3 83 84 MC218

H12 33

H4 MC218 4 MC218

34 45

50 MC218 MC218

H52 82 81b 12

H4 H4 54 4 53 4

81a 49 MC218

MC218

86 H4 H52 H13 H12 ALUMINIUM MC218 YELLOW OLIVE DRAB RED 4 12 3 BLACK 33 eduard 10 E P-38J-10, s/n 42-67590, flown by Capt. Jay T. Robbins, CO, 80th FS, 8th FG, Finschhafen, December, 1943

Jay Robbins is credited with 22 kills in total, thereby becaming the fourth highest ranking US Army pilot in the Pacific Theatre of Operations. The unusual marking on the spinners indentified the aircraft flown by the squadron CO. The green tail tips were typical for 80th FS aircraft. The Buddha monk character was repeated on other Robbins´s Lightnings. After the war, Robbins moved up in the US Air Force hierarchy, becoming a General and a member of the highest USAF command. ÈESKOU VERZI TEXTU NALEZNETE NA www.eduard.com/s/1175

H52 12 49 85 97 98

H53 96 13 95

H5 92 93 H53 5 H52 13 12

H52 12

90 94 89

H53 13

H52 12

H53 13 H52 12

50 H53 13

H12 33 H4 4 H5 5 34 45

92 92 92 97 98

85 49 H52 12

95 H53 96 13 H5 BLUE 5 91

H4 H53 H52 H12 YELLOW GREY OLIVE DRAB 4 13 12 BLACK 33 eduard 11 F P-38L, flown by the CO of 70th FS, 18th FG, Moret Field, Zamboanga, the Philippines, 1945

68+69 49 108 104 103

MC218

H13 H52 MC218 3 107 12 MC218 H13 3

H52 12

H47 H13 MC218 41 3 106 MC218

MC218

50 MC218 MC218

H4 H12 4 33

MC218

34 45

MC218

103 104 108 49 MC218 H13 3

H4 H52 H13 H47 H12 ALUMINIUM MC218 YELLOW OLIVE DRAB RED RED BROWN 4 12 3 41 BLACK 33 eduard Pacific Lightnings STENCIL VARIANTS

6 2 1a ? 1b TOP 31 29c N O S T E P

29b N O S T E P 29a

29c R

29b 20

18 7 1a?1b 3 4 5 6

43 N O S T E P

N O S T E P

29a R

33 29a 25 23

17 29a 19 28

20 L 29a 44

29a 16 32 27

L 14 43 43 8 21 14 30 22

10 35 15

15 11 26 40

37 22 16 40 38 39 9 16

39 41

39 42

38 39 13 23 37

26 eduard