CRASH OF A P-38F LIGHTNING
NEAR HORN ISLAND, QLD
ON 4 NOVEMBER 1942

On 4 November 1942, a P-38F Lightning of the 17th Fighter Squadron piloted by Captain Jim Porter ditched after taking off from Horn Island Airfield. He had left Amberley Airfield in south east Queensland earlier in the day and was on his way to Port Moresby. His right engine cut out at about 150 feet after take-off from Horn Island. If he had dropped his belly tank he may have been able to make an emergency landing. He pancaked into the water and was lucky to only receive a few scratches and bruises. He loosened his clothes and Mae West jacket and swam part of the way to the shore before he was picked up by a life-boat.

Note:- "South Pacific Air War Volume 5 - Crisis in Papua September - December 1942" states that this P-38 was attached to the 39th Fighter Squadron. An Official History document of the 17th Fighter Squadron indicates it was attached to the 17th Fighter Squadron.

REFERENCES

"South Pacific Air War Volume 5 - Crisis in Papua September - December 1942" by Michael Claringbould and Peter Ingman

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"Australia @ War" WWII Research Products

This page first produced 20 November 2022

This page last updated 19 June 2024