Warbird Information Exchange

Is it me or does that piece of nose glass/plexi look like it came from a B-34? Or some similar Lockheed product?

I don't think those are guns. Since it's Wright Field I'm willing to bet they are sensors of some sort. Or Maybe mock-ups of .50 cal guns for weight and placement.





Shay
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Semper Fortis

Be honest,...If any of you had seen just this much of the P-38 nose a week ago would you had known what you were looking at?

here is the story, unedited. I wish I could ask more about this particular plane, but he's no longer here. It hurts a little to type this, but he used to really get a kick out of "those people on the internet" reading about his stories.



Nov 17, 1944
At last today I finally got a ride in the plane I wanted most to fly in. a P38. Boy it was a swell ride. Maj. Leach came over and asked me if I wanted to go along. Naturally, I jumped at the chance. The plane was a special made with a seat in the nose where the guns usually are mounted. We made a good take off. Circled it, field once and then buzzed the north south runway at about 200 ft! and laid down a smoke screen. Fron there we want to springfield where a new field was under const. There a P59 Jet Propulsion was forced down the day before due to lack of fuel. We buzzed the field about 15 times until the "jet" took off. Then we flew in formation which it, wing to wing, boy it was beautiful. it sure was graceful there flying along our wing. He finally broke away and made a couple passes at us which made us look like we were standing still. we then returned to the field and we buzzed right behing it and then landed. Today we didn't fly over 1000 ft. always under. Upon landing we saw that one of the landing gear doors didn't close and the radio was out. Due to the fact that that the gear door wasn't closed is probably why we didn't have a dog fight with the jet plane. I know he was planning to because he told me to strap down tight when we took off. It sure felt good to be riding in one of those slick lightenings. And boy they sure do ride swell. I really enjoyed this flight a great deal.

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documenting restored B-17s and those undergoing restoration to flight:

this isn't actually a photo, but it was in his stuff. I'm not sure who drew it.

Again, its about a 1" by 2" size that the scanner did a great job with.

B

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documenting restored B-17s and those undergoing restoration to flight:

oh, the P38 is XF-5D, a one off two seater, with guns. There were cameras in the nose and tail booms.

I've been googling for an hour or so, final disposition:

450322 XF-5D 42-12975 TEST Wright-Patterson Field, OH KCRF 4 Wales, George L USA TN 2M E Gross Plains, TN

I haven't yet been able to find any more photos, but I'm looking.

B

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documenting restored B-17s and those undergoing restoration to flight:

I'm looking too Banndit. Baugher reported she was sporting 2 .50's in the nose, but
the guns in the photo look like .30's. Cpl. Engle is standing in front of one
of the three K-17 camera stations...2 more are there, 1 in each boom.
Did you see the photo in the Warbird Tech series book on Lightnings DJII
suggested referrring to 42-12975, XF-5D-LO

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He bowls overhand...He is the most interesting man in the world.
"In Peace Japan Breeds War", Eckstein, Harper and Bros., 3rd ed. 1943(1927, 1928,1942)
"Leave it to ol' Slim. I got ideas...and they're all vile, baby." South Dakota Slim
"Ahh..."The Deuce", 28,000 pounds of motherly love." quote from some Mojave Grunt
DBF