42-68184
Object Number - UPL 19744 - Close up of Lockheed P-38J Lightning 42-68184 495th Fighter Training Group in flight. 1943. 42-68184 a 'Droop Snoot*' was used as a lead bomber for...
Built as a P-38J by Lockheed, field modified to 'Droop Snoot*' configuration as the first full prototype of type. Trials A/C, later used operationaly as well. Led formations of 20th and 44th FG P-38's on bombing raid 10-4-44. * The 'Droop Snoot' field conversion entailed the removal of the nose armament and associated equipment to make room for a prone bombardiers position with the installation of a plexiglass nose, a Norden bombsight, side windows and an emergency hatch. The theory was for a formation of P-38's to drop their bombs on the formation lead 'Droop snoots' signal with the precision of the Norden bombsight ensuring the accuracy of the formations bombing. An idea championed by Lt Col Cass Hough and Lt Col Dan Ostrander.
Minor damage [Cat 3], landing accident, Andover [Sta 406], pilot Lt Col Cass S Hough.
Connections
See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.
Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Fighter
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: Eighth Air Force
- Highest Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
- Role/Job: Deputy Commander
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: Headquarters (Eighth Air Force)
- Service Numbers: O-20697
- Highest Rank: Major General
- Role/Job: Ordnance and Armament Officer
Places
Missions
- Date: 10 April 1944
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: P-38 Lightning
- Unit: Base Air Depot 3
Events
| Event | Location | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Other First operational use |
10 April 1944 | First operational use on 10-4-44 leading formations of 20th and 55th FG P-38's. (44th was a BG; the 55th FG flew the P-38 in the ETO, 1943/44. | |
|
Crashed |
Andover, Andover, Hampshire, UK | 7 May 1944 | Minor damage [Cat 3], landing accident, Andover [Sta 406], pilot Lt Col Cass S Hough. |
|
Manufactured |
Burbank, CA, USA | Built by Lockheed Aviation. | |
|
Delivered |
Long Beach, CA, USA | Delivered to USAAF. | |
|
Other Field modified |
Langford lodge, Ireland | P-38J Lightning field modified to 'Droop Snoot*' configuration. 2nd prototype, 1st full nose configuration. [1st prototype 42-67086]. |
Revisions
See 55th FG UNIT history at AAM vice 44th (BG).
See 55th FG unit history vice 44th BG.
Roger Freeman / http://www.aviationarchaeology.com
![French countryside, photographed through the nose of a P-38 Lightning of the 367th Fighter Group on landing. Image stamped on reverse: 'Not to be published 30 Aug 1944.' [stamp], 'Passed for publication 31 May 1945.' [stamp] and '354528 .' [censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: 'P-38s over the Seine. No.1 of a series of pix taken through the nose of the P-38 as it comes in to land. Scherschel LIFE.'](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-456843.jpg.webp?itok=vyT98_c0)
