P-38 in San Jose in the 70s

mustang6655 · **Posted:** Thu Jul 20, 2017 3:24 pm

Hi,
I am wondering if anyone can identify this P-38 at the San Jose Airport in the early 70s?
I saw it fly a few times when I was a kid and always wondered what became of it?
Sorry if it's been see on here before...
Thanks!

pontiac58 · **Posted:** Thu Jul 20, 2017 3:53 pm

The one and only White Lightnin. My all time favorite warbird. Miss that girl. She is still around with red bull, and all shined up.

mustang6655 · **Posted:** Thu Jul 20, 2017 4:04 pm

Was White Lightning based in San Jose during that time?
It sat outside on the tarmac for a long time between flights, just a few feet from the P-51 that sat outside during the same time until around 2000.
It was there for a few years and the paint scheme is similar to it but I wasn't sure it was the same P-38, might have another picture that shows a profile shot that I'll post.
I have a picture of the P-51 as well...

T J Johansen · **Posted:** Thu Jul 20, 2017 4:31 pm

Not Lefty's N25Y, but rather Pete Kahn's 44-53087 N1107V. Actually an ex- CAF aircraft as well!

T J

mustang6655 · **Posted:** Thu Jul 20, 2017 4:39 pm

Wow thanks for the answer!

T J Johansen · **Posted:** Thu Jul 20, 2017 4:58 pm

Hey, thanks for sharing these images of the past! :drink3:

T J

Lon Moer · **Posted:** Fri Jul 21, 2017 12:03 am

mustang6655 wrote:

Was White Lightning based in San Jose during that time?
It sat outside on the tarmac for a long time between flights, just a few feet from the P-51 that sat outside during the same time until around 2000.
It was there for a few years and the paint scheme is similar to it but I wasn't sure it was the same P-38, might have another picture that shows a profile shot that I'll post.
I have a picture of the P-51 as well...

The Mustang was owned by Ron Von Kretgan. I saw what I think was its last flight in 1977(?) before sitting for ~30yrs.
Eventually restored; MustangsMustangs
The California Warbirds also had their Mustang (MustangsMustangs) and their T-6 based there then.

pontiac58 · **Posted:** Fri Jul 21, 2017 2:34 pm

T J Johansen wrote:

Not Lefty's N25Y, but rather Pete Kahn's 44-53087 N1107V. Actually an ex- CAF aircraft as well!

T J

Thanks for updating that. Never new two were painted so close alike.

T J Johansen · **Posted:** Fri Jul 21, 2017 3:55 pm

Well, N1107V was a CAF aircraft and painted in the "house colors" prior to N25Y being bought from Vernon Thorpe and Sylvain Lair. I guess the easiest way to distinguish between the two is that N25Y has kept the early E/ F/ G/ H style air scoops installed for Cleveland and a smooth nose without holes for guns. 1107V had a hideous long nose when Kahn bought it, but as can be seen from the photo in this thread he installed a fighter nose acquired from MGM's Culver City studio lot. Also, N1107V had White spinners and N25Y had Red.

T J

Chris Brame · **Posted:** Fri Jul 21, 2017 8:04 pm

I posted this just over a year ago:

From the 1967 Mercedes, TX High School yearbook.

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P-38 in San Jose in the 70s

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