October 3, 2010 at 1:32 pm
I’m e-mailing with a model builder who is interested in trying to customise a model P-38 into one flown on at least one mission by Guy Gibson in August 1944. In the Jerry Scutts P-38 book from the Crowood series, it states
“On 6 August a second P-38, L-l 4–
24360, arrived at Coningsby for trials.
Recorded as a ‘PB-38’ this aircraft had
Droop Snoot configuration and retained
US markings. Owen flew it on several
unspecified trials and on 15 August Wg
Cdr Guy Gibson, VC accompanied ninety-
four bombers to raid Deelen and other
Luftwaffe night-fighter bases. Gibson was
then No. 54 Base Air Staff Officer.”
The first P-38 was the personal aircraft of Air Cdre. Sharp, flown on several occasions by Sqn Ldr Owen, probably in US markings. Following on, the book states:
“The TB-38′ was returned to the
USAAF at the end of August but it had
impressed the staff at Coningsby who sent
‘their’ P-38J to Langford Lodge for Droop
Snoot modification. When it returned to
Coningsby the aircraft had Loran and Gee
as well as twin VHP radios and was given
an overall coat of PRU Blue paint and
RAF markings. It then began target-marking
work, Owen flying it on 23/24 September
on a 5 Group raid on Munster
Handorf airfield. The aircraft flew regularly,
assumedly in the target-marking and
bomber controller roles and was well liked
by its crews.
When Air Cdre Sharp moved to
Northolt, his Droop Snoot Lightning went
with him; after the war ‘517 was flown to
51MU at Lichfield for disposal, then in
natural metal finish but retaining RAF
markings. It was apparently returned to US control having meanwhile acquired
the as yet unexplained code letters ‘DPA”
There is a picture of the second aircraft credited as being at Lichfield post war. If there is any more information out there or a picture of the aircraft flown by Guy Gibson, I would be grateful if it could be posted. Thank you.
By: BSG-75 - 3rd October 2010 at 19:47
Thanks DaveF68, anything else you have (colour of the DPA markings etc) would be of interest, the builder shows his work here ;
http://forums.diecast-aviation.eu/showthread.php?p=359860#post359860
It’s amazing how many and how fast he bangs these things out as well as the quality.
By: DaveF68 - 3rd October 2010 at 17:10
AFAIK, that’s about it (although Vic Flintham and Andy Thomas had tracked down the possible meaning of ‘DPA’ after publishing the first edition of Combat Codes – email note I got from Vic is on another computer)