FHCAM P-38 has flown

[bomberfan]

Announced on Facebook, P-38 Jandina has taken to the skies again flown by Kevin Eldridge. They plan to debut the aircraft at Oshkosh next month, then return to Everett.

[Thomas_Mac]

Going to be quite the year for restorations at Oshkosh
https://vintageaviationnews.com/restora ... skies.html

[sandiego89]

Great news, always great to see another P-38!

Does anyone know what of the original airframe was incorporated? I ask this with great reluctance, as my question it is not intended to set off the data-plate restoration diatribe and what that does to the perceived provenance of the airframe. I am well aware the airframe sat in the jungle for decades, and much must be new build, I'm just curious what was actually incorporated.

[quemerford]

Great news, always great to see another P-38!

Does anyone know what of the original airframe was incorporated? I ask this with great reluctance, as my question it is not intended to set off the data-plate restoration diatribe and what that does to the perceived provenance of the airframe. I am well aware the airframe sat in the jungle for decades, and much must be new build, I'm just curious what was actually incorporated.

And I'd be interested in knowing what has become of the unrestorable parts that couldn't be incorporated.

[JohnTerrell]

What remained of the aircraft when recovered was rough, having sat in the jungle for 55 years. What remained was primarily the center section and cockpit pod, without tail booms, outer wings or engines. It was identified by the segments of the pilot's name, J. T. Robins, and crew chief's name, still painted on the nose. This is purportedly a photo of the aircraft's remains after recover in 1999: https://pacificwrecks.com/aircraft/p-38 ... 8-lae.html

It was reported that the wreck arrived at Westpac Restorations around 2003 or 2004, and I believe the actual restoration/rebuild got started not too long after, as I remember Westpac showing some photos of completed assemblies for that project on their website, within several years of that time. That gives a rough time estimate as to how long it took to rebuild. The project was moved to Ezell Aviation in 2018.

The name 'JANDINA', as painted on all of his P-38s, was derived by Jay T. Robins by combining an abbreviated form of his name together with his wife's name, Ina. According to his son, Robbins pronounced it as if it were a Spanish name, "Jaun-dina".

Last edited by JohnTerrell on Sat Jun 28, 2025 10:42 pm, edited 2 times in total.

[bomberfan]

Great news, always great to see another P-38!

Does anyone know what of the original airframe was incorporated? I ask this with great reluctance, as my question it is not intended to set off the data-plate restoration diatribe and what that does to the perceived provenance of the airframe. I am well aware the airframe sat in the jungle for decades, and much must be new build, I'm just curious what was actually incorporated.

I'm sure we'll likely never know. But here's how I look at it. If we want to continue to see new restorations/ rebuilds, we have to accept the fact that they'll likely incorporate more new material than in years past. The low hanging fruit has been all gobbled up for decades now.

[quemerford]

Great news, always great to see another P-38!

Does anyone know what of the original airframe was incorporated? I ask this with great reluctance, as my question it is not intended to set off the data-plate restoration diatribe and what that does to the perceived provenance of the airframe. I am well aware the airframe sat in the jungle for decades, and much must be new build, I'm just curious what was actually incorporated.

I'm sure we'll likely never know. But here's how I look at it. If we want to continue to see new restorations/ rebuilds, we have to accept the fact that they'll likely incorporate more new material than in years past. The low hanging fruit has been all gobbled up for decades now.

This is a given. However what happens to the unused parts? I have rarely seen anything donated to museums or displayed anywhere. Notable exception seems to be one of the AVSPECS Mosquito fuselages but that is a rare exception.

It seems to be a subject that no-one wants to discuss.

[LegendaryWings]

It's wonderful to see another P-38 Lightning flying again! Congratulations to everyone involved!

[Mark Allen M]

Jay T. Robbins (center), a leading ace with the 80th Fighter Squadron "Headhunters," 8th FG.

[Paul Stroud]

Great news, always great to see another P-38!

Does anyone know what of the original airframe was incorporated? I ask this with great reluctance, as my question it is not intended to set off the data-plate restoration diatribe and what that does to the perceived provenance of the airframe. I am well aware the airframe sat in the jungle for decades, and much must be new build, I'm just curious what was actually incorporated.

I'm sure we'll likely never know. But here's how I look at it. If we want to continue to see new restorations/ rebuilds, we have to accept the fact that they'll likely incorporate more new material than in years past. The low hanging fruit has been all gobbled up for decades now.

This is a given. However what happens to the unused parts? I have rarely seen anything donated to museums or displayed anywhere. Notable exception seems to be one of the AVSPECS Mosquito fuselages but that is a rare exception.

It seems to be a subject that no-one wants to discuss.

The Norfolk and Suffolk Aviation Museum, here in the UK, has a reproduction Spitfire fuselage which uses the original aluminium skin left over from the airworthy restoration of Mark XVI TD248.

[lucky52]

That pilot on the right has some comfy flying shoes.

[Dan Jones]

General Robbins is buried in Houston. It’d be nice if she overflew the cemetery before leaving Texas.

[JohnB]

When Pacific Fighters finished the rebuild of the P-51B "Impatient Virgin", they gave the owner a sizeable sheet of metal from the radiator area which incorporated a repair patch. It was displayed with the aircraft.

I would imagine other restores would do the same if asked.

Can't hurt to ask for remnants if you have an interest in a pilot who flew that specific aircraft.

[Mark Allen M]

Plenty of “warbird parts” watches for sale.