Dates

Event

Constructed as a P-38L-5-LO by Lockheed at Burbank, California, USA.

Circa 1944

Taken on Strength/Charge with the United States Army Air Force with s/n 44-53015.

Converted to a F-5G.

To unknown owner with c/r N57492.

From 30 August 1946 to 2 September 1946

Raced as #55, named MacMillan Meteor.
The race was from Van Nuys, CA, to Cleveland. Competed at the National Air Races Cleveland in the Bendix Reciprocating Division race. The primary pilot was Rex Mays. Raced in the B Feature race. Finished in 13th place with an average speed of 327.526 mph.

Circa 30 August 1946

Photographer: Charles A. Koch Collection
Notes: Photographed at the National Air Races at Cleveland, OH.

November 1948

Taken on Strength/Charge with the Fuerza Aerea Costarricense with s/n GCR-02.
Involved in an incident.

Crashed.
Crash landed during ferry flight.

December 1948

To Robert B. Utterbeck, Costa Rica.
Purchased by Mr. Utterbeck. The assigned c/r is unknown.

1952

To unknown owner with c/r N9957F.

By July 1967

Photographer: Unknown

June 1974

Photographer: Gary Maisack
Notes: David Tallichets yard, Chino Airport, CA

20 May 1977

Involved in an incident.
Summarized NTSB narrative from report number LAX77FNG40: There were no fatalities. Incident occurred at 15:45 hours. The damage was substantial. Incident occurred at the Daggett Airport, Daggett, CA. The flight departed from Daggett, CA, with the destination Albuquerque, NM. The gear retracted during the landing rollout.
For a complete description of the event read the NTSB Report.

28 March 1978

To Military Aircraft Restoration Corp, Long Beach, CA keeping c/r N9957F.

4 May 1981

To McGuire AFB (East Side), Browns Mills, NJ.
View the Location Dossier

To National Museum of the United States Air Force Loan Program, Wright Field, Dayton, OH.
View the Location Dossier

Loaned to McGuire AFB (NJ), 305 OSS/AFE, JB McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, NJ.

Circa 1981

Markings Applied: Pudgy (V), 131
Identity of P-38L s/n 44-24155, last aircraft of Major Thomas B. McGuire, Jr.

13 July 1981

Civil registration, N9957F, cancelled.

1 January 1984

Photographer: Larry Johnson
Notes: At McGuire AFB

12 May 2007

Photographer: Daniel L. Berek
Notes: This aircraft has been painted to represent 44-24155, a P-38 flown by Maj. Thomas B. McGuire, killed in action in the Philippines in 1944. Previous civil registrations included NX574925 and N9957F. Aircraft name is Pudgy V. While other photographers have been able to capture this bird on film close up, security has been tightened, especially since the monument is located near a check point, where any photography is absolutely forbidden. I had to settle for a telephoto shot from a public parking lot