WARBIRDS P-38 LIGHTNING
A static P-38 Lightning museum exhibit in the US has been returned to flight. Restoration engineer Ashley Ezell discusses the project, while Kevin Grantham investigates the airframe’s history
In the spring of 2015, I was in California carrying out the maintenance of the Collings Foundation’s TP-51C Mustang, when I got a call from my employer and proprietor of American Aero, Gary Norville, who said: “Can you meet Rob and me in Portland [Rob Collings, see further on in story] when you are through with the Mustang?” I replied: “Sure, what’s up?” Gary explained: “Rob is working on a deal at the Evergreen Museum and wants us to look at some of the airplanes, primarily the B-17 and P-38.” The eventual arrival of the P-38, 44-53186, at New Smyrna Beach, Florida, would be the culmination of more than two months’ on-site work in Oregon and an 18-hour crosscountry flight.
