44-23513
media-456783.jpg
FRE 10050
P-38J-20-LO, s/n 44-23513, coded F5-I "droopsnoot" Lightning of the 428th Fighter Squadron, 474th Fighter Group. Location appears to be airfield R-2, Bad Langensalza, Germany, late spring 1945. Aircraft forced to ditch in the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of Nice, France 9 May 1945 after suffering a dual engine failure. The pilot, 1Lt. Robert D. Hanson, and his passenger, 1Lt. Lloyd Wenzel, survived the ditching.
First handwritten caption on reverse: 'P-38? "Pathfinder"!'
Second handwritten caption on reverse: '428th FS, 474th FG, 9th Air Force.'
Droop Snoop P-38 lead bomber A/C with bombardier in modified nose. Roger Freeman Collection
First handwritten caption on reverse: 'P-38? "Pathfinder"!'
Second handwritten caption on reverse: '428th FS, 474th FG, 9th Air Force.'
Droop Snoop P-38 lead bomber A/C with bombardier in modified nose. Roger Freeman Collection
Update a/c and loss information
Connections
See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.
Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Ninth Air Force
- Type Category: Fighter
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Ninth Air Force
- Type Category: Fighter
Places
- Site type: Airfield
- Known as: Florennes / Juxaine
Events
Event | Location | Date | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Other Ditched |
off the coast of Nice, France | 9 May 1945 | suffered a double engine failure |