P-38 captured!

[johnniewc68]

I share with you some rare pictures (in color and w/b) of fighters Lockheed P-38 Lightnings captured and with German and Italian markings during World War II. Does anyone know how many were captured and how they came to Europe once they have been used in the Pacific? To view the photos visit the link below:


http://aviacaoemfloripa.blogspot.com.br/2011/02/p-38-lightning-capturados.html


Best Regards.

[HooptieWagon]

1. They weren't just used in the Pacific.

Several squadrons were stationed in N Africa as early as late '42. It was the Germans that tagged them the 'fork-tailed devil'. It was the only U.S. fighter plane in constant production throughout the entire war. Production began in 1939, and was cancelled at the war's end.
IDK how the planes in photos were captured, but likely they were captured on the ground, or ran out of fuel/mechanical problems during a mission and landed in enemy territory w/o too much damage.

[freethought]

2. I was told that the ground crews called it

"Double Trouble", given it's twin engine (both turbo charged) design. I guess it made maintenance more of a chore. Some how "The Fork-Tailed Devil" seems more appropriate, after all the two best U.S. flying aces, Richard Bong and Al McGuire both flew P-38s.