P-38J-25 LIGHTNING"California Cutie"
55th Fighter Squadron
CFS3 - V4.00.167
This aircraft was built by Gregory SARGE Pierson using version 4.00.164 of the AvHistory 1% Assembly Line process. It is based on the MS stock P-38J painted by John BRAVO/4 Whelan in Lieutenant Richard Loehnert's "California Cutie" livery.
This P-38J Lightning was flown by 1st Lieutenant Richard Loehnert of Long Beach, California. It was attached to the 55th Fighter Squadron/20th Fighter Group, 8th Air Force, while based at Kings Cliffe, Northamptonshire, England in July of 1944.
California Cutie carries mission markings indicating 6 locomotives destroyed, 56 bomber escort missions (top hat and cane), 16 top cover missions (umbrella) and 11 fighter sweep missions (broom).
In addition, Loehnert shot down 2 Bf-109Gs while flying this aircraft on July 7th, 1944, however, these markings were not applied at the time California Cutie wore full invasion striping.