The Lockheed P-38 Lightning. USAF photo.

First delivered to the U.S. Army Air Corps in June 1941, the Lockheed P-38 was the only American fighter to remain in continuous production for the entire duration of the United States’ involvement in the Second World War. A total of 10,037 examples were built.^[1] An estimated thirty-two complete or partial airframes survive in museums and private collections worldwide.^[2] Approximately ten aircraft are reportedly airworthy. A similar number are displayed as extensively restored non-flying aircraft.  The remaining airframes exist only as wreckage or parts to be used in rebuilds. Only one Lightning, the Smithsonian National Air & Space Museum’s P-38J 42-67762, a former training aircraft, survives as an original, unrestored example of the type.

The P-38F was the first model to see combat but no original example of the mark survives in any collection. Nearly all existing P-38s are late-production G, H, J and L models. In Papua New Guinea, components from four P-38F hulks (42-12647, 42-12652, 42-13084, and 42-13105) are being used to re-construct a single composite aircraft.  Another P-38F, 41-7630, was recovered from under the Greenland icecap in 1992 and was subsequently returned to airworthy condition as “Glacier Girl.”^[3] The Maid of Harlech is Glacier Girl’s slightly younger sister and the oldest surviving unrestored P-38. 

The Welsh airplane is arguably the oldest surviving P-38 and the only intact P-38F in original condition.  Prior to the accident, the airplane participated in fighter sweeps over the Dutch and Belgian coasts, making it the only surviving 8th Air Force  combat veteran P-38 and probably the oldest surviving 8th Air Force combat veteran of any type.

To donate to the Maid of Harlech Project, click HERE.

To donate to the Maid of Harlech Project using Paypal, click HERE.

Notes