finding p38 details

[almawensi]

I am looking for details of a p38 wreckage found in Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu (back then it was New Hebrides). We found pieces with an ID plate containing 7-digits serial number and starting with 1. i have looked elsewhere to find p38 serial all starting with 3 or 4 (4x-xxxxx) http://cgibin.rcn.com/jeremy.k/cgi-b...=&content=P-38.

The ID plate was believed to be from a part closer to the cockpit. Here are the details on the ID plate. LOCKHEED AIRCRAFT BURBANK CALIFORNIA. SERIAL NO. 1911040, ASSEM. NO 248722, INSPECTOR 519.
Can someone link this to a MACR please?

[Revi16]

The number 1911040 is a serial number for a part or assembly of the aircraft. It is not the serial number of the entire airframe.

Did the airplane actually crash or was it just abandoned at the airfield?

You may want to contact some of the warbird restoration shops that have restored a P-38. They may be able to help locating which assembly the data plate goes to.

[RSwank]

Vanuatu (Espiristu Santo) was never occupied by the Japanese in WWII. It was used as an allied base. There would not have been any P-38s "lost" due to enemy action in that area that would have required filing a MACR. As Revi16 suggested, it may have been just abandoned at the airfield, or possibly it crashed on the airfield. Nothing you have found so far would lead to a particular P-38 although it "might" lead to a particular P-38 model. There are some parts manuals available on the web (some for a fee) which might lead you to the particular part or model of P-38.

[Alex Smart]

Hello Roland,
Have you gone through the F-4/F-5/P-38 a/c lists in the "Pacific Wrecks" Site ?
Many listed there.
Some a/c listed for Espiritu Santo including the remains of a Lockheed PV-1 .
But so far no mention of a P-38.
Alex

[paulmcmillan]

I suspected it was a F-4 Version of Lightning as I could NOT find any P-38 Fighter Units based at Espiritu Santo, New Hebrides

Howabout (purely as a suggestion requires further research)

http://www.joebaugher.com/usaf_serials/1942_5.html

Lockheed F-5A-3-LO Lightning

42-12772 scrapped at Espiritu Santo, New Hebrides Jun 15, 1944
MSN 122-7206