Lockheed P-38L Lightning

from £7.95

Lockheed P‑38L Lightning 44‑53254, built at Burbank in late 1944, originally served with the U.S. Army Air Forces before being converted to an F‑5G‑6‑LO photo‑reconnaissance aircraft in mid‑1945. After the war she passed through several civilian owners, including the J.D. Reed Company, who repainted her as Bendix Racer No.14 “Sky Ranger” for the 1947 season.

From the 1960s onward she became widely known as “White Lightnin’”, raced by Marvin “Lefty” Gardner. Gardner modified the aircraft extensively, fitting P‑38F intakes, reworking the turbo systems, and giving her the distinctive white finish with red and blue trim. She remained a favourite on the air‑race circuit until a wheels‑up landing in 2001 near Greenwood, Mississippi.

In 2004 she was acquired by Red Bull and fully restored by Ezell Aviation, returning to flight on 2 June 2008. Today she flies from Hangar‑7, Salzburg, wearing a polished aluminium finish with Red Bull’s signature red‑white‑blue rudder design.

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Lockheed P‑38L Lightning 44‑53254, built at Burbank in late 1944, originally served with the U.S. Army Air Forces before being converted to an F‑5G‑6‑LO photo‑reconnaissance aircraft in mid‑1945. After the war she passed through several civilian owners, including the J.D. Reed Company, who repainted her as Bendix Racer No.14 “Sky Ranger” for the 1947 season.

From the 1960s onward she became widely known as “White Lightnin’”, raced by Marvin “Lefty” Gardner. Gardner modified the aircraft extensively, fitting P‑38F intakes, reworking the turbo systems, and giving her the distinctive white finish with red and blue trim. She remained a favourite on the air‑race circuit until a wheels‑up landing in 2001 near Greenwood, Mississippi.

In 2004 she was acquired by Red Bull and fully restored by Ezell Aviation, returning to flight on 2 June 2008. Today she flies from Hangar‑7, Salzburg, wearing a polished aluminium finish with Red Bull’s signature red‑white‑blue rudder design.