P38L s/n. 44-53015 McGuire AFB, NJ

[Brad]

Well put. We've talked before about other examples displayed outside on this forum as well. Its so backward thinking in its treatment of "relics", its like it's from another age. The Air Force have a bountiful supply of airbase display material (planes), but apparently no focus (or resources) on real preservation for base displays. I think mustangdriver's experience on Grissom's B-17 comes to mind. Any observations on this conundrum Chris? (he's probably at Oshkosh ).

This P-38, what has been done to it and all has been discussed indepth before. viewtopic.php?f=3&t=30209

[12XU2A3X3]

just drove through the circle the other day on my way to flight medicine and i noticed it was gone. anyone have any info?

[Dave C]

http://www.jointbasemdl.af.mil/news/sto ... =123445380

4/16/2015 - JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. -- Base members driving through the McGuire Gate in the past week might have noticed something missing when reaching Pudgy Circle.

No Pudgy.

April 13, members of the 305th Maintenance and 87th Civil Engineer Squadrons, with help from a civilian equipment company, prepared Pudgy for a short "flight" to a flatbed.

The historic P-38 Lightning, an institution of the joint base, was moved to determine costs of refurbishment.

"Pudgy is the symbol of McGuire Air Force Base," said John Murphy, 87th Air Base Wing historian. "With the base no longer existing, Pudgy is the iconic remembrance of the old base."

Maj. Thomas B. McGuire, the namesake of former McGuire AFB, began flying his P-38 Lightning in August 1943. He named his aircraft "Pudgy" in honor of his wife, Marilynn, who obtained the nickname in high school.

McGuire flew five aircraft christened Pudgy before he was killed in action leading a voluntary fighter sweep over Los Negros Island, piloting P-38 Eileen Ann, not Pudgy V.

Awarded a Medal of Honor for the sweep posthumously, the citation lauded his bravery, "On 7 January 1945, while leading a voluntary fighter sweep over Los Negros Island he risked an extremely hazardous maneuver at low altitude in an attempt to save a fellow flyer from attack, crashed, and was reported missing in action. With gallant initiative, deep and unselfish concern for the safety of others, and heroic determination to destroy the enemy at all costs, Major McGuire set an inspiring example in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service."

McGuire was the second highest scoring ace with 38 aerial victories in Pudgy, only two behind Maj. Richard I. Bong with 40.

The Pudgy V replica, constructed in 1946, began her flight to McGuire AFB to become a static display in 1981. Pudgy made it to the base in time to be on display for that year's air show.

According to Jeffrey Michalke, Air Mobility Command historian Pudgy was last painted in 2002.

The Pudgy static display will remain on base throughout the evaluation and refurbishment process, which is estimated to last at least six months.

Until Pudgy "flies" home, many base members will miss the landmark.

[Pat Carry]

They need to find display space for it inside.

[T J Johansen]

http://www.jointbasemdl.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123445380

"Pudgy is the symbol of McGuire Air Force Base," said John Murphy, 87th Air Base Wing historian. "With the base no longer existing, Pudgy is the iconic remembrance of the old base."


The Pudgy static display will remain on base throughout the evaluation and refurbishment process, which is estimated to last at least six months.

Until Pudgy "flies" home, many base members will miss the landmark.

Does this mean McGuire AFB is closing down..?

Well, in any case. There is actually but one decent thing to do here.

Get this one permanently off the pole:


Dismantle this plastic kit from March AFB:




Then they swap places.

NJ can still have a P-38 on a lollipop stick, and the genuine article can come indoors. 30 years overdue!

T J

[TAdan]

The base is now known as "Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst."

That fiberglass replica from March AFB is very convincing. I'd like to see the McGuire P-38 indoors, or replaced with a fiberglass replica up on the pole. No need to keep a 70 year old plane out in the weather like that.

That article has some very nice Hi-Res pictures of the P-38 coming down from the pole.

[RickH]

Remember, the USAF story is best told with static aircraft.

[wendovertom]

Where was the fiberglass one made - it looks pretty good!

Tom P.

[Warbird Kid]

Sell it to somebody who would be willing to get her flying again.

[bluesky23]

Hello, I am normally a lurker on WIX but there might be an official avenue used by the Air Force to express concerns about all issues related to things such as safety, quality of life, grounds maintenance, displays and so on. It's called, or was called, the Air Force Suggestion Program. If you are a current Military Serviceman or Civilian employee for the Air Force you can submit suggestions to the Base Commander through the Base Suggestion Office. It involves a bit of work to include fact gathering to support the suggestion. All one has to do is identify a problem, the estimated costs of the current process and then a suggestion for improvement that will result in a manpower or other cost savings to the Air Force if the suggestion is approved and adopted. There may even be a monetary reward to the one who submits the suggestion(If approved and if funding is available). I believe that suggestions are supposed to be processed within a specific time frame such as 30-90 days. Of course, they may be placed on hold pending receipt of additional information that might be requested by the evaluator of the suggestion. In any case, if there is a current military member or civilian employee that is a WIX member who might wish to submit a suggestion regarding the P-38 and any other aircraft/historical objects that are displayed outside, then I strongly encourage them to 'Go for it!' I believe that the WIX membership with its' massive knowledge base, can provide cost data that would be the main factor in getting the P-38 relocated to a site on base and indoors. However, if no one is willing to direct their concerns to the suggestion office, or their local Congressman, then the Air Force will never be inclined to do anything! P.S. I would recommend the P-38 be relocated to, and displayed in, the Officer's Club, NCO Club or Base Golf Course! These locations are surely worthwhile candidates for renovation that would include a P-38 to Honor one of America's finest flyers and heroes of WWII.

[dirtysidedown430]

Just a guess but think D. Tallichett fiberglass shop did it just a guess.