SPA Modeler

Since I have my eye on a P-38 Lightning kit, there are a couple of schemes I want to replicate. Most of my inspriartion comes from paintings, magazines, or whatever catches my interest. I found 2 P-38 I'd like to do but am having a hard time finding any info on the squadron, fighter group, Air Force, etc..
Scheme #1:
Found on Avaition Art Hangar website. Painting titled "Winter of '44"

http://www.aviationarthangar.com/avarthawiof42.html

My guess is the 79th FS/20th FG of the 15th AF

This one really caught my eye because it looks to me it is a Checkered-Nosed P-38 Lightning of the 82nd FG. The painting is titled "Through the Pass".

http://www.aviationarthangar.com/avarthathpab.html

I have searched high and low for info and images of a Checkered-nosed P-38 of the 82nd FG.

Any help would be appreciated.

First one try 20th FG 55th FS.
The second one, i would hazard the artist has taken some artistic license with it. Found a scheme he likes, applied it to an aircraft he likes.

I do know there are checkered P-38s but the checkers are on the boom areas. Like theses decals:
http://modelingmadness.com/scott/decals ... s48677.htm

The few photos that I could pull up of the 82nd FG P-38Js show solid colors on the spinners and tails. There is an Osprey book on the 82nd FG, but who knows if the painting scheme is valid or not.

Well, lookie what I found! there is a Checkered-nosed P-38 after all:

I suggest to look for a photo to confirm that scheme actually existed. Nowadays I do not trust art profiles without some photo back up.

Planned on following up on this one. Now I got to do a little more research on the 370th FG, 401st FS of the 9th AF just to confirm its existence. This pic was found on Wings Pallete website.

So far I have found 1 photo of a checkered-nosed P-38 Lightning:

http://www.worldwarphotos.info/gallery/ ... n-8-balls/

Yes, I think checkers are quite rare on P-38s. More so on the nose. On single engine fighters there are multiple types and groups that wore them. But not the Lightning...

BlackSheep214 wrote:So far I have found 1 photo of a checkered-nosed P-38 Lightning:

http://www.worldwarphotos.info/gallery/ ... n-8-balls/

Well found !

- Kari