P-J over Europe 1170 US WWII FIGHTER 1:8 SCALE PLASTIC KIT intro The Lockheed P- Lightning was developed to a United States Army Air Corps requirement. It became famous not only for its performance in the skies of WWII, but also for its unusual appearance. The Lightning, designed by the Lockheed team led by Chief Engineer Clarence 'Kelly' Johnson, was a complete departure from conventional airframe design. Powered by two liquid cooled inline V-1710 engines, it was almost twice the size of other US fighters and was armed with four.50 cal. machine guns plus a 20 mm cannon, giving the Lightning not only the firepower to deal with enemy aircraft, but also the capability to inflict heavy damage on ships. The first XP- prototype, 7-57, was built under tight secrecy and made its maiden flight on January 27, 199. The USAAF wasn t satisfied with the big new fighter, but gave permission for a transcontinental speed dash on February 11, 199. During this event, test pilot Kelsey crashed at Mitchell Field, NY. Kelsey survived the cash but the airplane was written off. Despite this, Lockheed received a contract for thirteen preproduction YP-s. The first production version was the P-D (5 airplanes only armed with 7mm cannon), followed by 210 P-Es which reverted back to the 20 mm cannon. These planes began to arrive in October 191 just before America entered World War II. The next versions were P-F, P-G, P-H and P-J. The last of these introduced an improved shape of the engine nacelles with redesigned air intakes and cooling system. Also, the curved windscreen was replaced by a flat one. One of the Lightning s weaknesses was a huge vibration during dive attacks caused by transsonic airflow on the wings. Lockheed never solved this problem, but dive brakes were installed under each wing from P-J-25 production block to maintain control when diving at high-speed. The fastest of the Lightnings was the P-J with a top speed of 20 mph, and the version produced in the greatest quantity was the P-L -,75 left the Lockheed factory while 1 left Vultee assembly lines. So-called 'Drop Snoots' were fitted with bombardier type noses, and used to lead formations of bomb-laden P-s to their targets. The P-M was a two-seat radar-equipped night fighter, a few of which had become operational before the war ended. As noted above, the P- was the biggest singleseat fighter to serve with the USAAF. Its overall length was 11.5 m; height was.00 m and wingspan was 15.85 m. The -J version weighed in at 6,21 kg empty and 9,980 kg loaded. The P- was the only US fighter aircraft produced throughout US involvement in World War Two, from Pearl Harbor to Victory over Japan Day. The P- was used in a number of roles, including dive bombing, horizontal bombing, ground-attack, photo reconnaissance missions, and extensively as a long-range escort fighter. The US top aces, Richard Bong (0 victories) and Thomas McGuire ( victories), flew this aircraft in the Pacific Theater of Operations. P-s also served in the China-Burma-India Theater and in the South West Pacific area, and was the primary long-range fighter of the USAAF until the arrival of adequate numbers of P-51D Mustangs in 19/5. The internal fuel capacity of 10 gallons could be increased to 1,010 gallons with two external drop tanks. This enabled the Lightning to fly a distance of,60 km, allowing it to become one of the most feared fighters in the Pacific War as well as the first fighter ready and able to carry out long range escort missions for four-engined bombers over Europe. P-J-25-LO, s/n -27, flown by 1stLt. Sam Plotecia, 92nd FS, 67th FG, Juvincourt AB, France, 19 ÈESKOU VERZI TEXTU A KOMPLETNÍ KAMUFLÁŽNÍ SCHÉMA NALEZNETE NA www..com/info/photos/1170 7 69? 70? 71? 72 85 7 118 There is a very interesting story behind this nose art. The artwork was based on the picture taken on the beach. The artist dind t forget to depict the ball and the steam boat floating in the background. After the war Sam Plotecia married the girl from the picture and they lived together till his death in 200. Nowadays Anastassia Plotecia (her maiden name was Koza) lives in Maryland. Despite of the help coming from the pilot s family side we didn t managed to fully restore the appearance of the aircraft the individual code letter is chosen radomly. Only first two letters Ni - from the female name on the left engine are known. Nicol has been chosen. Sam Plotecia was one of the participants in the aerial battle over Clastres airfield on August 25, 19. He is credited with one Focke-Wulf damaged. The 67th FG was awarded with Presidential Unit Citation for this battle, the highest award for the combat unit. The full story of our research focused on this aircraft is available in Info No. 7 Vol. on www..cz.
ATTENTION UPOZORNÌNÍ ACHTUNG ATTENTION Carefully read instruction sheet before assembling. When you use glue or paint, do not use near open flame and use in well ventilated room. Keep out of reach of small children. Children must not be allowed to suck any part, or pull vinyl bag over the head. Pred zapocetím stavby si peclive prostudujte stavební návod. Pri používání barev a lepidel pracujte v dobre vetrané místnosti. Lepidla ani barvy nepoužívejte v blízkosti otevreného ohne. Model není urcen malým detem, mohlo by dojít k požití drobných dílu. Iire soigneusement la fiche d instructions avant d assembler. Ne pas utiliser de colle ou de peinture a ` proximité d une flamme nue, et aérer la piece de temps en temps. Garder hors de portée des enfants en bas âge. Ne pas laisser les enfants mettre en bouche ou sucer les pièces, ou passer un sachet vinyl sur l a t ete. Von dem Zusammensetzen die Bauanleitung gut durchlesen. Kleber und Farbe nicht nahe von offenem Feuer verwenden und das Fenster von Zeit zu Zeit Belüftung öffnen. Bausatz von kleinen Kindern fernhalten. Verhüten Sie, daß Kinder irgendwelche Bauteile in den Mund nehmen oder Plastiktüten über den Kopf ziehen. INSTRUCTION SIGNS INSTR. SYMBOLY INSTRUKTION SINNBILDEN SYMBOLES OPTIONAL VOLBA FACULTATIF NACH BELIEBEN BEND OHNOUT PLIER SIL VOUS PLAIT BITTE BIEGEN OPEN HOLE VYVRTAT OTVOR FAIRE UN TROU OFFNEN SYMETRICAL ASSEMBLY SYMETRICKÁ MONTÁŽ MONTAGE SYMÉTRIQUE SYMMETRISCHE AUFBAU NOTCH ZÁØEZ L INCISION DER EINSCHNITT REMOVE ODØÍZNOUT RETIRER ENTFERNEN APPLY EDUARD MASK AND PAINT POUŽÍT EDUARD MASK NABARVIT A> PARTS DÍLY TEILE PIECES PLASTIC PARTS B> C> D> E> F> G> Tire> PE - PHOTO ETCHED DETAIL PARTS RP - RESIN PARTS R1 R2 R R 2pcs. R5 2pcs. R6 2pcs. R7 pcs. R8 2pcs. R9 2pcs. R10 R11 R R R1 R15 2pcs. R16 R17 R18 R19 R20 R21 R22 R2 R2 R25 R26 COLOURS BARVY FARBEN PEINTURE GSi Creos (GUNZE) AQUEOUS Mr.COLOR AQUEOUS Mr.COLOR H 5 C NEUTRAL GRAY H C YELLOW INTERIOR GREEN H 11 C FLAT WHITE H 77 C7 TIRE BLACK C Mr.METAL COLOR H C FLAT RED MC2 STAINLESS H 17 C COCOA BROWN MC21 DARK IRON H 25 C SKY BLUE H 5 C80 COBALT BLUE Mr. COLOR SUPER METALLIC 2 H 52 C OLIVE DRAB
A B PE10 PE PE21 PE7 PE6 R17 PE PE PE1 C PE10 PE PE11 PE11 PE PE R18 D B R17 R18 R19 R25 R R21 PE25 R2 PE8 C PE8 PE9 PE9 R22 C A C C R20 C R2 C R10 R1 C R15 R15 R11 R PE19 C R11 PE C C PE2 C PE22 C R16 PE2 PE1 R PE16 PE15 PE5 R
D8 E F PE50 PE0 PE8 PE9 PE6 PE51 A1 PE7 F29 F2 F F D 2 pcs. 2 pcs. PE52 E22 E2 F R6 R R5 TIRE LARGE PE PE5 E15 A2 E16 G I H J PE5 PE G D, D7 D5, D6 PE5 PE PE2 PE C H 77 C7 TIRE BLACK F27 F28 F17 F5 F6 R8 PE5 F0 F1 C6 C5 PE PE9 H PE6 PE7 B B E F B2 C8 PE5 B1 C7
PE26 PE18 PE27 D D D1 A2 I D J C D1 C, C PE2 PE C K E20 M G1 G F1 F10 G5 PE1 R TIRE SMALL F2 F9 G6 R26 R1 H 77 C7 TIRE BLACK R2 F F F26 PE28 H 52 C OLIVE DRAB G7 G2 L PE0 E18 H 52 C OLIVE DRAB F8 F6 F5 F7 PE2 N D11 R1 PE1 D10 R 2 pcs. R 2 pcs. PE20 D9 D 5
N D2 M F11 D15 D17 L H 77 C7 TIRE BLACK K N E18 E1 M C1 C9 C10 C2 20g weight C10 R7 MC21 DARK IRON R7 R9 PE29 G1 G7 G5 G6 G R26 C PE17 R7 R9 MC21 DARK IRON PE29 G1 MC21 DARK IRON F20 R7 F22 F21 MC21 DARK IRON F2 MC21 DARK IRON F2 E1 E2 G2 E1 E2 E5 E E E1 E2 6
A P-J-25-LO, s/n -2677, flown by Maj. Robert C. Rogers, 92nd FS, 67th FG, Peray, France, August, 19 This Lightning was flown by Maj. R. C. Rogers, CO of 92nd Fighter Squadron. Five swastikas beneath the cockpit symbolize five Junkers Ju 52s destroyed on the ground during attack on French airfields on August 25, 19. Rogers served with USAF though many years after the war, he became the air attache in US embassy in Brazil also. He passed away on March 2, 2010. ÈESKOU VERZI TEXTU NALEZNETE NA www..com/info/photos/1170 7 9 9 91 90 92 H H H17 H 96 97 95 8 H 67 9 H 91 9 9 7 96 YELLOW H OLIVE DRAB RED H BROWN H17 BLACK 7
B P-J-10-LO, s/n 2-6790, flown by Lt. Jack M. Jarell, 85th FS, 70th FG Lt. Jack M. Jarell died on December 1, 19 being shot down during the aerial clash near Wiesbaden. He managed to bail out from his airplane but his fate remains a mystery and has been noted as missing in action. He fell victim to Oblt. Lothar Wolff (min. 6 kills) from 1./JG who flew Bf 109 fighter. The black&white D-day stripes were removed from the upper surfaces of his personal P- but the remains are still visible. The individual letter M was painted on the inner side of both tails. ÈESKOU VERZI TEXTU NALEZNETE NA www..com/info/photos/1170 H 7 115 116 117? 2? 105 7 MC2 H 107 109 H MC2 H25 H H H5 80 1?11 108 110 + 1 111 H 95 8 H H H25 9 7 H 105? 1 117 116 H25 115 7 H H MC2 1? 11 + 1 STEEL MC2 8 WHITE YELLOW H GREY OLIVE DRAB BLUE H25 H5 DARK BLUE 80 RED H BLACK
C P-J-15-LO, s/n 2-6800, flown by 1stLt. Clark R. Livingston, 92nd FS, 67th FG, Juvincourt AB, France, December, 19 Livingston s Lightning wore D-day stripes on upper surfaces formerly. The photos show that the stripes were applied by hand and the lines between black & white are not straight. The black and white paints were not applied directly on the natural metal surface but on the Olive Drab paint to improve the adsesion of the b&w paint. The D- day stripes were removed from the upper surfaces later on. Note the unpaited area surrounding the individual code letters. Livingston also took part in the aerial battle with Focke-Wulfs from II. Gruppe of JG 6 over Clastres on August 25, 19. He was awarded with one confirmed kill and one probable kill. US forces lost 17 Lightnings from 67th FG, Luftwaffe had to write off 17 destroyed and 2 damaged Fw 190s. ÈESKOU VERZI TEXTU NALEZNETE NA www..com/info/photos/1170 79 5 8 85 88 87 8 +81 75 76 78 H 82 H17 H 77 80 95 6 H 67 9 87 88 85 8 5 8 +81 WHITE GREY YELLOW H OLIVE DRAB RED H BROWN H17 BLACK 82 9
D P-J-10-LO. s/n 2-67505, flown by Capt. Roy Scruthfield, 55th FS, 20th FG, King s Cliffe AB, England, 19- The shark mouths are to seen on the single-engined fighters more frequently than on two-engined Lightnings, especially in ETO. This kind of artwork was perfectly visible on the Olive Dra b / Neutral Gray camouflage on Capt. Scruthfield s personal aircraft. The white triangles identified 55th FS within 20th FG. You can see temporary Scruthfiled s score on the nose a dozen of bomber escort missions (tophats), two top cover missions (umbrellas) and three sweeps (broomsticks). ÈESKOU VERZI TEXTU NALEZNETE NA www..com/info/photos/1170 + 7 56 57 58 55 0 50? 51 61+60+59 52 5 5 95 8 61 60 H 9 60 61 0 59 59 55 57 58 56 7 + 10 YELLOW H OLIVE DRAB GREY BLACK 60+61+59
E P-J-10-LO, s/n 2-67685, flown by Maj. Joseph Myers, th FS, 55th FG, Nuthampstead AB, England, November, 19 Joe Myers was awarded with three confirmed and two probable kills during WW2. He downed three Bf 109s and damaged one Fw 190 and one Ju 88. The aircraft depicted was flown by this pilot by January, 19. Myers crashed this Lightning during the take off that days. Besides the aircraft he destroyed 2000 lt fuel tank also. Myers s P- wore camouflage scheme of Olive Drab / Neutral Gray. The white triangle indentified the th FS within the 55th FG. The nose-art is in the interesting contrast with pin-up girls. Note the author s, Mr. Robert T. Sand s sign. The individual code letter O was present on the both inner sides of the tail. The serial number on the tail is not photographically documented. Mission symbols in the form of broomsticks, sometimes with red umbrella are visible on the nose. ÈESKOU VERZI TEXTU NALEZNETE NA www..com/info/photos/1170 7 10 10 68? 106+0 89 99 102 101 100 98 95 8 H 9 89 86? 106+0 10 10 7 YELLOW H OLIVE DRAB GREY BLACK 11
P-J-25-LO, s/n -27, flown by 1stLt. Sam Plotecia, 92nd FS, 67th FG, Juvincourt AB, France, 19 There is a very interesting story behind this nose art. The artwork was based on the picture taken on the beach. The artist dind t forget to depict the ball and the steam boat floating in the background. After the war Sam Plotecia married the girl from the picture and they lived together till his death in 200. Nowadays Anastassia Plotecia (her maiden name was Koza) lives in Maryland. Despite of the help coming from the pilot s family side we didn t managed to fully restore the appearance of the aircraft the individual code letter is chosen radomly. Only first two letters Ni - from the female name on the left engine are known. Nicol has been chosen. Sam Plotecia was one of the participants in the aerial battle over Clastres airfield on August 25, 19. He is credited with one Focke-Wulf damaged. The 67th FG was awarded with Presidential Unit Citation for this battle, the highest award for the combat unit. The full story of our research focused on this aircraft is available in Info No. 7 Vol. on www..cz. 118 7 69? 70? 71? 72 85 7 6 6+65 H H17 H 66 95 8 H 67 9 7 85 69? 70? 71? 72 7 H WHITE YELLOW OLIVE DRAB RED H BROWN H17 BLACK
L L R R N O S T E P N O S T E P N O S T E P N O S T E P P-J STENCIL VARIANTS 29c 29b 29c TOP 29a 1 6 2 1 29b 20 18 7 1 5 6 29a 29a 25 2 17 29a 19 28 20 29a 29a 2 16 27 0 1 8 21 1 22 5 15 10 0 26 15 11 0 9 7 22 16 9 16 9 1 6 9 2 7 9 2 26 EDUARD M.A., 20 www..com Printed in Czech Republic