Salutations!

I was wondering if anyone knows if an olive drab CBI operations P-38 named Geronimo II had it's booms painted w/ green dragon artwork.

I've only seen pictures of this aircraft w/o dragon artwork on each boom.

Would it be safe to assume all 459th FS, 80th FG early P-38's were painted w/ dragon artwork on each boom?

All assistance is greatly appreciated!

Thanks,
Alex
[email protected]
&:)
http://i201.photobucket.com/albums/aa88/modlbldralex/Geronimo%20II/GeronimII.jpg

Another CBI P-38 with Dragon artwork on each boom.
http://i201.photobucket.com/albums/aa88/modlbldralex/Geronimo%20II/459th-2b.jpg

Actually, no, not a safe assumption. It was not until the 459th re-equipped with P-38Js (a late model) that the booms received the dragon artwork (though apparently most of their J models did get this artwork). Only the 459th FS did this. Interestingly, the 459th seems to be the only squadron to have operated predominately olive drab J model lightnings.

the book P-38 Lightning Aces of the Pacific and CBI (Osprey Aircraft of the Aces No 14) has a whole chapter dedicated to the 459th.

I am hesitant to post copyrighted material here on Aeroscale, but when i get home i'll dig up the reference i am referring to.

all the info I have shows it was on the later models, although it says "Many aircraft had the dragon motif painted on the nacelles & carrying back on the booms"
from P-38 LIGHTNING in action by Squadron Signal No.25