P-38 Lightning

[Radish]

There have been various conversions made of the P-38 into a naval, carrier-born aircraft, the best being one with radials substituted for the inlines.
But I'm going for a minimal-modification.....probably just a hook and wingfold.

The inspiration is a toy I spotted while at the Midland Air Museum yesterday.
It was all white, with Suez yellow/black markings and FRENCH NAVY markings.
Fantastic......            
And yes, it WAS a P-38!!!!!!

So, the story is.....

when the Suez Campaign kicked off in November 1956, the French Admiral in the French Caribbean thought it was a disgrace that he wasn't invited. He redirected his flagship, the carrier "Saint Louis XI" to the Mediterranean, with its complement of F4U-7 Corsairs, Avengers, etc.. It also had on board his own personal aircraft, a veteran Lockheed Lightning.....anyone know its designation??
This Lightning, or Sea Lightning F.6 to be precise, was in the normal French Navy tropical camouflage scheme of all over white......same for the Corsairs, et all.
The Lightning was flown on at least two missions at Suez, wearing neat yellow/black striping around the wings and twin booms.
Bombs under the wing centre-sections.

Eh? :dum:

[John Howling Mouse]

You know, pics would be nice.  Especially since you'll probably be finished this model within a few days of starting it!  

Your PC up and running yet or you still bothering...uh, borrowing your daughter's?

Bet SHE could show you how to use your digicam!  

[Ian the Kiwi Herder]

There have been various conversions made of the P-38 into a naval, carrier-born aircraft, the best being one with radials substituted for the inlines.
But I'm going for a minimal-modification.....probably just a hook and wingfold.

The inspiration is a toy I spotted while at the Midland Air Museum yesterday.
It was all white, with Suez yellow/black markings and FRENCH NAVY markings.
Fantastic......            
And yes, it WAS a P-38!!!!!!

So, the story is.....

when the Suez Campaign kicked off in November 1956, the French Admiral in the French Caribbean thought it was a disgrace that he wasn't invited. He redirected his flagship, the carrier "Saint Louis XI" to the Mediterranean, with its complement of F4U-7 Corsairs, Avengers, etc.. It also had on board his own personal aircraft, a veteran Lockheed Lightning.....anyone know its designation??
This Lightning, or Sea Lightning F.6 to be precise, was in the normal French Navy tropical camouflage scheme of all over white......same for the Corsairs, et all.
The Lightning was flown on at least two missions at Suez, wearing neat yellow/black striping around the wings and twin booms.
Bombs under the wing centre-sections.

Eh? :dum:

Too much talk, not enuff models......

Build it as soon as you finish that Hind/MiG hybrid...... I dare ya !

I H-G

[P1127]

Or stick a pair of Merlins on it, and a Sea hornet scheme...

[lancer]

Only you can come up with that kind of an idea in a gift shop Rad...

[Joe C-P]

Where are you putting the tailhook? Center of the tail or the cockpit pod?

JoeP

[P1127]

Float plane, but I don't know of a carrier - I'll check the Bodie book.

[Madoc]

P,

Here's what I came up with via Google:

Lockheed proposed a carrier-based "Model 822" version of the Lightning for the United States Navy. The Model 822 would have featured folding wings, an arresting hook, and stronger undercarriage for carrier operations. The Navy wasn't interested, as they regarded the Lightning as too big for carrier operations and didn't like liquid-cooled engines anyway, and the Model 822 never went beyond the paper stage. However, the Navy did operate four land-based F-5Bs in North Africa, with these aircraft inherited from the USAAF and redesignated "FO-1."

Hope that helps.

Madoc

[aerofile83]

i can't belive no one posted this, i have always loved the plane wish i had the skils to build one my self. i think it would look bad donkey with wings that folded back like on a hellcat.


casey :ar:

[NARSES2]

That is one superb piece of work

[nev]

yeah, she's a corker    

[Spellbinder99]

That is an awesome model! Who built it may I ask?

The only thing I would change would be to double fold the wings for hanger head height and make some indication they were power folding.

But a great piece of work.

Cheers

Tony

[lancer]

That P38 surely looks good with radial engines fitted in place of the usual in-line liquid cooled ones.  

[aerofile83]

i found it over at ARC you can contact the fellow who built it at

MUCAROTO@Mattel.com

his name is Tory Mucaroto


great work isn't it

[pometablava]

Thanks a lot for your help Madoc!!!
It is a great value information for me.


Also my thanks to Aerofile83 for the pic. The model looks superb!

Antonio