UK2 AF392 Lockheed LightningMkII to USAF 43-2206 P-38G TontoutaABNewGuinea.jpg

[Joseph Testagrose]

[Savageduck[_3_]]

On 2011-07-16 04:33:11 -0700, Joseph Testagrose > said:

>
> <image>

Just to clarify Tontouta is on New Caledonia, not New Guinea.

Then to the best of my knowledge no "Lightning MkII's" were deployed by
the 5th AF in the SouthWest Pacific, or any other theater. The
converted "Lighting MkI's" were mean to be brought to the standard
P-38E specification, not P-38G. The converted AC were retained the USA
as advanced trainers and modification test platforms and never came
close to any combat zone.
--
Regards,

Savageduck

[Glenn[_2_]]

"Savageduck" > wrote in message
news:2011071606414789814-savageduck1@REMOVESPAMmecom...
> On 2011-07-16 04:33:11 -0700, Joseph Testagrose >
> said:
>
>>
>> <image>
>
> Just to clarify Tontouta is on New Caledonia, not New Guinea.
>
> Then to the best of my knowledge no "Lightning MkII's" were deployed by
> the 5th AF in the SouthWest Pacific, or any other theater. The converted
> "Lighting MkI's" were mean to be brought to the standard P-38E
> specification, not P-38G. The converted AC were retained the USA as
> advanced trainers and modification test platforms and never came close to
> any combat zone.
> --
> Regards,
>
> Savageduck

The tree's look very australianish. My first thought was it might be ariund
Townsville. But I just can't match teh mountain range.

[Dave Kearton[_3_]]

"Glenn" > wrote in message
eb.com...
>

> The tree's look very australianish. My first thought was it might be
> ariund Townsville. But I just can't match teh mountain range.




According to Joe Baugher's site, the B-17 had a successful war.

Boeing B-17E Fortress
"2426 - delivered to Salt Lake SAD Nov 16, 1941 transferred to 11BG/43BS as
aircraft No. 42; transferred to 5AF
Aug 1943; RETUS Hendricks Feb 12, 1944; to RFC and sold for scrap Dec
31, 1945."


Peace was a little hard on it though.




Same source shows this for the Lightning

Lockheed P-38G-13-LO Lightning

43-2206 (347th FG) lost in SW Pacific Jul 17, 1943. MACR 83





Looking up the 347th FG, there was one as part of the XIII Fighter command.
Wikipedia shows it based at Luganville Airfield, Espiritu Santo, New
Hebrides for most of '43.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/XIII_Fighter_Command



I agree that the vegetation looks more like Townsville than anything but
Townsville. It wouldn't be impossible for these planes to come back
for depot-level maintenance.





--



Cheers

Dave Kearton

[Savageduck[_3_]]

On 2011-07-18 00:57:03 -0700, "Glenn" > said:

>
> "Savageduck" > wrote in message
> news:2011071606414789814-savageduck1@REMOVESPAMmecom...
>> On 2011-07-16 04:33:11 -0700, Joseph Testagrose > said:
>>
>>>
>>> <image>
>>
>> Just to clarify Tontouta is on New Caledonia, not New Guinea.
>>
>> Then to the best of my knowledge no "Lightning MkII's" were deployed by
>> the 5th AF in the SouthWest Pacific, or any other theater. The
>> converted "Lighting MkI's" were mean to be brought to the standard
>> P-38E specification, not P-38G. The converted AC were retained the USA
>> as advanced trainers and modification test platforms and never came
>> close to any combat zone.
>> --
>> Regards,
>>
>> Savageduck
>
> The tree's look very australianish. My first thought was it might be
> ariund Townsville. But I just can't match teh mountain range.

My father flew in the 9th FS, 49th FG. They shipped in to Brisbane and
staged through Charters Towers outside Townsville, then on to Humpty
Doo near Darwin before moving to New Guinea.

Once in NG he started flying missions from the 11,000 ft strip at
Dobodura, and then moved with the war to Buna, Gusap, Nadzap, Biak
Island, Tacloban at Leyte, and on.




--
Regards,

Savageduck