New Picture of Captured P-38?

[kaki3152]

Is this a picture of the P-38 that landed in Sardinia on June 12,1943?
The plane was flown by Lt. Dwight Hartle, 3 PRU, on a courier mission.
The photo was found on E-BAy.de. It shows a SM-79 in the background, so I think its the same one.
Attachment 10718

[SMF144]

Hmmmm, I have my doubts this is a picture of a captured '38.

[kaki3152]

Ok, let's have some points in favor or not

[Larry]

Well the men around the plane look to be Italian A/F and yes there is an SM79 in the background but then this would have been quite typical of the period when the Italians switched to the allied side later in 1943.

On the other hand what is so strange about the Axis having a captured P-38 as they had many other Allied aircraft in working condition.

Someone must have a reasonably accurate log of P-38 losses for 1943, so may be able to add something here.

[SMF144]

The chap by the tail looks to be wearing RAF BD and cap; is that not a nationality flash on the shouldder?

[Kaiyan]

Hi,
I think that this is the same P.38 a little later there used to be a set of pics of this on LEMB

[brewerjerry]

Hi
Nice photos :-)
I miss LEMB :-(
cheers
Jerry

[Larry]

Jerry,

Why miss LEMB when its still available!

[kaki3152]

Ok, I'll give two reasons why I think this is the P-38 captured by the Italian A/F.
When you blow up the picture, you can barely see the Star insignia on the top of the left wing. This is the early insignia ,with just a white star on a blue background, without the white bars that were added
In February of 1943, one national insignia was removed from the upper right and lower left wing surfaces. This P-38 has no markings on the upper right wings
In June - September 1943: It was determined that the shape of the insignia was an important distinguishing feature, so a horizontal stripe was placed in the background with a thin red outline. This P-38 has no horizontal stripe.

All this points to a P-38 in the Feb-June 1943 timeframe,which is when the P-38 landed on Sardinia. If the SM-79 was in the post Sept 43 (AKA after the Italian surrender) time frame, the P-38 would have different markings