P-38 captured!

[sjk.fly4ever]

I share with you some rare pictures (in color and w/b) of fighters Lockheed P-38 Lightnings captured and with German and Italian markings during World War II. Does anyone know how many were captured and how they came to Europe once they have been used in the Pacific? To view the photos visit the link below:


http://aviacaoemfloripa.blogspot.com.br/2011/02/p-38-lightning-capturados.html



(http://aviacaoemfloripa.blogspot.com.br/2011/02/p-38-lightning-capturados.html)Best Regards.

[lnuss]

I don't know specifics about the ones currently in Europe, but the P-38s were used over Europe and in North Africa early in WW II, so the Germans could easily have captured one or more, or perhaps salvaged one or more that were shot down. The high, cold altitudes over Europe were a problem for those early Allison engines, thus the AAF decided to move the European based ones to either the Pacific or North Africa.

An excellent book that goes into great detail is Fork-Tailed Devil: The P-38 by Martin Caidin.