P-38G 42-13400 sitting outside in Alaska ... Why???

Matt Gunsch · **Posted:** Wed Aug 27, 2008 10:55 pm

I think you should be asking why the AF took a FLYABLE P-38 and mounted it on a pole in NJ ?

Randy Haskin · **Posted:** Wed Aug 27, 2008 11:03 pm

Some recent photos of the Milwaukie B-17:

http://www.warbirdaeropress.com/smf/ind ... opic=979.0

Jack Cook · **Posted:** Thu Aug 28, 2008 8:32 am

Quote:

Unforuteately the Lacey story is just that a story, the real pilot was Bob Sturges (sp) a former USAAF pilot who later became the mayor of Troutdale, OR and owned Comlumbia Airmotive. Both are gone now.

Stoney's right the Lacey is pure HS. Bob Sturges the THE man!! The great guy who dealed heavily in warbirds and parts and kept the B-17 sprayers flying with all his good parts he supplied over the years. His P-40M is now in Europe and he also had numerous B-17s. During WWII he was a Boeing tech rep and served with the 452nd BG in England. He still has (his sons now) the paperwork showing NOT a sale of the B-17G but only gives Lacey the right t9o display it.

Jack Cook · **Posted:** Thu Aug 28, 2008 8:44 am

a couple links..
http://warbirdinformationexchange.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=16603&postdays=0&postorder=asc&highlight=bomber+gas+statiomn&start=0
http://warbirdinformationexchange.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=1703&highlight=bomber+gas+statiomn
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Robbie Roberts · **Posted:** Sun Aug 31, 2008 12:12 pm

Matt Gunsch wrote:

I think you should be asking why the AF took a FLYABLE P-38 and mounted it on a pole in NJ ?

Because the base McGuire AFB is named for a P-38 ace- second highest scoring ace form the Pacific. It is the only 2nd WW aircraft on the base as far as I can tell. They have one of the later C-54s- (I think it is a C-128 or something, rumored to be the one Elvis came home on) an F-4, an F-100 and one of the few surviving C-141s.

Not all birds will fly again- so leave the USAF P-38(known as "Pudgy") at McGuire alone- at least it is still around, and not blown up! It is actually a pretty nice gateway, and the aircraft is maintained in polished condition- at least it isn't overcoated with fifteen layers of paint and corrosion, as some aircraft I see on display are.

Robbie

T J Johansen · **Posted:** Mon Sep 01, 2008 8:02 am

Robbie Roberts wrote:

Matt Gunsch wrote:

I think you should be asking why the AF took a FLYABLE P-38 and mounted it on a pole in NJ ?

Because the base McGuire AFB is named for a P-38 ace- second highest scoring ace form the Pacific. It is the only 2nd WW aircraft on the base as far as I can tell. They have one of the later C-54s- (I think it is a C-128 or something, rumored to be the one Elvis came home on) an F-4, an F-100 and one of the few surviving C-141s.

Not all birds will fly again- so leave the USAF P-38(known as "Pudgy") at McGuire alone- at least it is still around, and not blown up! It is actually a pretty nice gateway, and the aircraft is maintained in polished condition- at least it isn't overcoated with fifteen layers of paint and corrosion, as some aircraft I see on display are.

Robbie

I think Matt has put forth a valid question here. To have an aircraft this rare on a pole in the NJ climate is just stupid (same with the Alaska P-38G), and has nothing to do with preservation. So until the P-38 is indoors we will not leave it alone. Put a fibreglass replica on a pole or better yet, a statue of the guy. After all it is McGuire AFB and not P-38 AFB. As for the debate of flying vs static I feel that Matt is just a little upset about the fate of a P-38 that used to be flyable, and which is now not only static, but also not treated the way it ought to be.

T J

n5151ts · **Posted:** Mon Sep 01, 2008 9:14 am

Robbie Roberts wrote:

Matt Gunsch wrote:

I think you should be asking why the AF took a FLYABLE P-38 and mounted it on a pole in NJ ?

Because the base McGuire AFB is named for a P-38 ace- second highest scoring ace form the Pacific. It is the only 2nd WW aircraft on the base as far as I can tell. They have one of the later C-54s- (I think it is a C-128 or something, rumored to be the one Elvis came home on) an F-4, an F-100 and one of the few surviving C-141s.

Not all birds will fly again- so leave the USAF P-38(known as "Pudgy") at McGuire alone- at least it is still around, and not blown up! It is actually a pretty nice gateway, and the aircraft is maintained in polished condition- at least it isn't overcoated with fifteen layers of paint and corrosion, as some aircraft I see on display are.

Robbie

FIBERGLASS ------ 1 in 30 might and i emphasize MIGHT know the difference...

Jack Cook · **Posted:** Mon Sep 01, 2008 9:36 am

Yes, the AF with great fore thought decided to honor a MOH awardee and base namesake by taking a flying and rare P-38L and mounting it on a freaking pole outside in the New Jersery elements. Where, BTW, it has suffered greatly from corrosion and has had many areas replaced with stainless steel. Which I understand polishes up quite nice :roll:

What a ***insert appropate pescriptive words regarding this disrace here*** way to preserve a rare piece of history and honor a American Hero

RickH · **Posted:** Mon Sep 01, 2008 11:32 am

Careful, Jack you know that aircarft is owned by the great and powerful NMUSAF. They would never allow an historical artifact such as a P-38 or B-17, to slowly corrode away !

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P-38G 42-13400 sitting outside in Alaska ... Why???

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