FHCAM Lightning and Stuka news
New airworthy P-38J
Thanks to Ezell Aviation of Breckenridge (TX) a new Lockheed Lightning graces the skies since 25 June 2025. On that day Lockheed P-38J 42-103988 (c/n 2822) made its first post restoration flight flown by Kevin Eldridge, from their facilities. The Lightning, named 'Jandina III', is owned by the Flying Heritage and Combat Armor Museum and registered as N988J. It is expected to appear at the coming Air Venture 2025 at Oshkosh' Witmann Regional Airport later this month.
Lightning 42-103988 was built in 1943 and shipped to the Pacific Theatre of operations. It was taken on charge by the USAAF 5th Air Force’s, 8th Fighter Group, 80th Fighter Squadron 'Headhunters'. The fighter became the personal plane of U.S. Army Air Forces ace (22 kills) captain Jay T. Robbins. He nicknamed it 'Jandina III', after he had flown the Jandinas I and II before.
Robbins made an emergency landing in 'Jandina III' near Saidor, New Guinea on 7 May 1944. The plane's stripped hulk remained at Bilau (PNG) until it was recovered in 1999 and finally shipped to Australia. Three years later the P-38 was acquired by the then Flying Heritage Museum (now FHCAM) for restoration to flying status.
Stuka project on the move
Junkers Ju-87R2 project has left the FHCAM facilities on 27 June 2025. Its restoration will be completed at aviation company 'The Roost' of Bentonville (AR), where it arrived on 1 July. While the Stuka is a true rare aircraft type, this example (Werk.Nr. 5709) is even rarer, as this Ju-87R2 is a longrange version of the feared dive-bomber. It served over the Eastern Front with I./St.G.5 and bore the markings L1+KU. On 28 May 1942, it crashed near the Motowski Bay in the Murmansk region. The remains of the Stuka were recovered in 1996 and and offered for sale two years later by Royal Air Warbird Finders, UK. It was acquired by the FHM in 2004.
Photos: Flying Heritage and Combat Armor Museum