AA36618 Lockheed P-38J Lightning "Virginia Marie", New Guinea, 1944

Although the Lockheed P-38 Lightning fighters of the USAAF 5th Air Forces’ 475th Fighter Group ‘Satan’s Angels’ were some of the most flamboyantly presented aircraft of The Second World War, they were also deadly effective combat aircraft, and would take a heavy toll of Japanese aircraft across the Pacific Theatre. With two engines and heavy firepower, the Lightning proved to be a nightmare for Japanese pilots, but provided American airmen with confidence and reassurance, due to its combat performance and the benefit of that second engine. The Japanese referred to the 475th Fighter Group and their Lightnings as the ‘Bloody Butchers of Rabaul’, which serves as an effective indicator to the combat success of the American Group.



This particular aircraft was delivered to the 433rd Fighter Squadron at Hollandia Airfield in early 1944, and according to its pilot Carroll R. Anderson, inherited its striking markings progressively over a period of several weeks. Although there was a plan for the final scheme, it had to be completed over time, and by making liberal use of the 433rd Fighter Squadron’s medium blue I.D colour. The final touches were made whilst the Group Commander was away from the unit’s home airfield for a few days, which presented to team assigned to her with the opportunity they needed to express their full artistic talents. Apparently, ‘Virginia Marie’ was the only Lightning in the 433rd Fighter Squadron to actually receive its full intended paint job.