FLIGHTPATH | 5News
The Classic Jets Fighter Museum (CJFM) has sold
its rare Lockheed P-38H Lightning, the only one
in Australia, to the UK. It was previously listed as
the star attraction and “most outstanding feature
of the Classic Jets Fighter Museum”. Museum Di-
rector Bob Jarrett told Flightpath “the Lightning
42-66841 has been shipped to Britain where it will
undergo a complete rebuild program to return
squadron number 153 to airworthy status. CJFM
recognises that this is the best possible outcome
for the long term preservation of this rare early
model P-38H Lightning”.
This P-38 flew with the 475th FG, 432 FS, of the
USAAF 5th Airforce in Papua and New Guinea un-
til its pilot made a forced landing on 14 September
1943 at Fieta, breaking off its propellers and dis-
lodging its two Allison Engines. The remains lay
abandoned in the kunai grass area near Brahmin,
forty miles (60 km) inland from Madang, until
1992 when initial unsuccessful attempts were
made to remove the aircraft. Following three fur-
ther years of negotiations by Bob Jarrett, the re-
mains of the P-38 eventually arrived in Adelaide,
South Australia on 17 May 1999. On arrival the
museum’s volunteers began the ‘deep restoration’
of the P38 until it was completed and placed on
display. In October 2014, the P-38 was seen while
being transported to David Arnold’s Flying A
Services facility at the former USAF base of RAF
Bentwaters, England. Rob FoxRare Pacific Veteran P-38 Sold
ABOVE: The ex CJFM P-38H wrapped in plastic in
the last stage of its journey to David Arnold’s
facility at Bentwaters, England. LE F T: TheLockheed P-38H-
Lightning 42-66841 nearing
completion in 2005 at the
Classic Jets Fighter Museum
event at Parafield, South
Australia. [C JFM]BELOW: The abandoned P-
as found in the kunai grass at
the WWII Fieta emergency
landing field, inland from
Madang, [via C JFM]The future of the B-24 Liberator Memorial project at Werribee, Victo-
ria, and the W.W.II hangar it is being restored in were secured last Oc-
tober thanks to the Victorian State Government assistance. The Assist-
ant Treasurer, Gordon Rich-Phillips (Minister for Aviation Industry)
said, “a land transfer agreement between the State Government, Mel-
bourne Water and the B-24 Fund had been signed, paving the way for
the preservation and enhancement of the site’s aviation heritage. The
agreement will see Melbourne Water transfer about 1.475ha of land
through the state to the B24 Fund, pending a works permit being is-
sued by Heritage Victoria”. As we reported in the previous Flightpath,
both the Liberator and the Werribee Satellite Aerodrome Hangars are
last of their kind in Australia. Located at the corner of Princes Hwy and
Farm Rd in Werribee, the agreement guarantees it as a museum pre-
cinct and gives the B-24 a much coveted permanent home. Rob FoxB-24 Liberator &
hangars secured
James Kightly
Call Rob 0411 336 156 or
email: [email protected]Winjeel Wings & Centre sections.
2 sets approx ½ life each.Still in RAAF shipping crates with
RAAF paperwork.$45K per set negotiable.
Just what your TX Winjeel requires.FOR SALE