P-38 and P-47 pics, anyone know these birds/ pilots?

[B17news]

These were in my Father in Law's picture box. I put these up here a few years ago, but you never know what some fresh eyes might know:

Johnny Johnson listed as pilot, A/C named "Johnny's Jewel"



I'm not sure if this is the XF-5D, but the background looks similar to some XF-5D pics I have from when my father in law was in Miami with the planes. If it is, the pilot is listed as a Capt. Kauffman on a postcard from that trip:

P-38, "Earnie II"



XF-5D for comparison:


crew list:

[51fixer]

Ernie II looks very new.
Inspection Signoff Stickers from the factory are the white dots seen along the edges of a couple panels on the side of the nose.
Found them inside a P-38 wing on various panels and ribs during its restoration

[B17news]

I'm not familiar with the construction of the P-38, is the difference in the finish on the aluminum normal? It almost looks like its been repaired.

A quick Google didn't turn up anyting on the "Earnie II" name, either.

[51fixer]

I'm not familiar with the construction of the P-38, is the difference in the finish on the aluminum normal? It almost looks like its been repaired.

A quick Google didn't turn up anyting on the "Earnie II" name, either.

If you look closely at all the BMF A/C there is differences in appearance of metals used depending on if they were spotwelded as that metal as to be treated with an acid solution to clean the metal, Wing and tail fairings as different alloys are used due to the degree of shaping and forming required and even the grain in a sheet of alum when run in different directions can look different.
What looks very shiny is the skin behind his head on the removable panel which is 24ST Alclad and it looks very new, the round white labels are factory insp stickers.
Up above the prop blade with the round edge is the wing fairing, made of a different alloy for easier forming.
The duller alum to the right of his head is the large door which opens to service the ammo and weapons. It has a large amount of spotwelds and was probably acid etched.

[B17news]

I'm not familiar with the construction of the P-38, is the difference in the finish on the aluminum normal? It almost looks like its been repaired.

A quick Google didn't turn up anyting on the "Earnie II" name, either.

If you look closely at all the BMF A/C there is differences in appearance of metals used depending on if they were spotwelded as that metal as to be treated with an acid solution to clean the metal, Wing and tail fairings as different alloys are used due to the degree of shaping and forming required and even the grain in a sheet of alum when run in different directions can look different.
What looks very shiny is the skin behind his head on the removable panel which is 24ST Alclad and it looks very new, the round white labels are factory insp stickers.
Up above the prop blade with the round edge is the wing fairing, made of a different alloy for easier forming.
The duller alum to the right of his head is the large door which opens to service the ammo and weapons. It has a large amount of spotwelds and was probably acid etched.

thanks for the great info, I'm guessing neither of these saw any significant service or we'd have some history on them somewhere.