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 44-27087.

Circa 1945

Converted to a F-5G-6-LO.

To War Assets Administration, Kingman, AZ.

Circa 8 April 1946

Certificate of airworthiness for NX65485 (F-5G, 8057) issued.
As noted in Warbirds Directory #6: The bill of sale quoted the id as 44-27087 and c/n 8057. However 44-27087 is c/n 8091. The USCR (FAA) quotes the c/n as 8057. (Editor note: The c/n 8057 is assumed to be an error here, and it is assumed the USAAF s/n 44-27087 is correct.).

8 April 1946

To Russell C. Reeves, Tulsa, OK with new c/r N65485.

From 11 April 1946 to 1949

To Everett L. Moore, Delaware, AR keeping c/r N65485.

From 5 December 1949 to 1950

To Viva Mae Moore, Russell, AR keeping c/r N65485.

20 November 1950

To H and E Distrubuting Co/William E. Howell, Oklahoma City, OK keeping c/r N65485.

November 1950

To Tennessee Valley Authority, TN, keeping c/r N65485.
Used in survey operations.

From 30 November 1950 to 1953

To Tennessee Valley Authority, Chattanooga, TN keeping c/r N65485.
Used on survey operations for the Wilson Dam project in Alabama.

From 17 July 1953 to 1957

To Aero Service Corp, Philadelphia, PA keeping c/r N65485.
Used for weather research.

From 20 October 1953 to 1955

To Worldwide Surveys Inc, Philadelphia, PA keeping c/r N65485.
Markings added: 2
Worlwide was a combination of Aero Service Corp and Fairchild Aerial Surveys for surveys outside the USA. Operated with fleet #2.

3 May 1954

Ferry flight.
Ferried to Europe for survey work via Prestwick, Scotland. Was painted orange and blue with ferry tanks.

23 October 1954

Ferry flight.
Returned to the US via Shannon.

6 July 1955

Ferry flight.
Flown to Prestwick via Keflavik.

16 October 1955

Ferry flight.
Returned to USA via Blackbushe.

From 8 November 1955 to 1957

To Service Corp, Philadelphia, PA keeping c/r N65485.
Continued with aerial surveying duties.

From June 1957 to 1969

To James M. Cook, Jacksboro, TX with new c/r N345.
Used for weather research.

1969

Modified for air racing.

Raced as #55.

From June 1969 to 1983

To Gary R. Levitz/Confederate Air Force, Dallas, TX keeping c/r N345.
Markings added: 38, Double Trouble Too

Circa 1970

Photographer: Unknown
Notes: Photographed at a race in Mojave, California.

From 13 November 1970 to 15 November 1970

Raced as #38, named Double Trouble.
This was a stock P-38L. Competed in the California 1000 Air Races event. The primary pilot was Gary Levitz. Qualified in 17th place with an average speed of 278.06 mph. Raced in the One Mile Course race. Finished in 15th place with an average speed of 278.06 mph.

Circa 1971

Photographer: Gary Levitz
Notes: Photographed at the United States Cup in San Diego.

Circa 17 July 1971

Photographer: Unknown
Notes: Photographed at U.S. Cup Race at Brown Field, San Diego, CA.

Circa 17 July 1971

Photographer: Unknown
Notes: Photographed at U.S. Cup Race at Brown Field, San Diego, CA.

Circa 17 July 1971

Photographer: Unknown
Notes: Photographed at U.S. Cup Race at Brown Field, San Diego, CA.

From 17 July 1971 to 17 July 1971

Raced as #38.
Competed in the U. S. Cup Race event. The pilots were Gary Levitz, Vernon Thorpe and. Raced in the One Mile Course race. Finished in 5th place with an average speed of 280.1 mph. Finished 85 laps. Broke a connecting rod at the end of the race.

Raced as #38, named Double Trouble.

From 13 November 1971 to 13 November 1971

Raced as #38, named Double Trouble.
Competed in the California 1000 Air Races event. The pilots were Gary Levitz, Vernon Thorpe and. Raced in the One Mile Course race. Finished in 11th place with an average speed of 277.40 mph. Left the race after 22 laps when the brakes were locked.

After 1973

Photographer: Charlene Aro

12 January 1973

Certificate of airworthiness for NL345 (F-5G, 8057) issued.

From 16 January 1973 to 21 January 1973

Raced as #38, named Double Trouble.
Competed at the The Great Miami Air Race in the Roscoe Turner Speed Classic race. The primary pilot was Gary Levitz. Raced in the One Mile Course race. Finished in 6th place with an average speed of 294.333 mph.

From 16 January 1973 to 21 January 1973

Raced as #38, named Double Trouble.
Competed at the The Great Miami Air Race in the Unlimited class. The primary pilot was Gary Levitz. Qualified in 11th place with an average speed of 300.66 mph. Raced in Heat 1. Finished in 4th place with an average speed of 292.79 mph. Raced in the Championship race. Finished in 4th place with an average speed of 315.59 mph.

From 16 January 1973 to 21 January 1973

Raced as #38.
Competed at the The Great Miami Air Race in the John Livingston Cup race. The primary pilot was Gary Levitz. Raced in the One Mile Course race. Finished in 6th place with an average speed of 318.83 mph. Was a fill-in and was eligible for last place only.

Circa 16 January 1973

Photographer: Unknown
Notes: Photographed at the Great Miami Air Race.

From 11 September 1973 to 16 September 1973

Raced as #38.
Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Unlimited class. The primary pilot was Gary Levitz. Qualified in 16th place with an average speed of 340.54 mph. Raced in Heat 1. Finished in 7th place with an average speed of 336.00 mph. Raced in the Make-Up race. Finished in 4th place with an average speed of 339.99 mph. Raced in the Reserve race. Finished in 5th place with an average speed of 341.24 mph.

Circa 11 September 1973

Photographer: Wayne Gomes
Notes: Photographed at the National Championship Air Races, Reno, NV.

Circa 11 September 1973

Photographer: Charlene Aro
Notes: Photographed at the National Championship Air Races, Reno, NV.

Circa 11 September 1973

Photographer: Charlene Aro
Notes: Photographed at the Reno Air Races at Stead Field near Reno, NV.

From 10 September 1974 to 15 September 1974

Raced as #38.
Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Unlimited class. The primary pilot was Gary Levitz. Qualified in 15th place with an average speed of 334.33 mph. Raced in the Make-Up race. Finished in 1st place with an average speed of 319.88 mph. Raced in the Reserve race. Finished in 4th place with an average speed of 333.47 mph.

Circa 10 September 1974

Photographer: Charlene Aro
Notes: Photographed at the Reno Air Races at Stead Field near Reno, NV.

From 9 October 1974 to 13 October 1974

Raced as #38, named Double Trouble.
Competed at the National Air Races Mojave in the Unlimited class. The primary pilot was Gary Levitz. Qualified in 10th place with an average speed of 318.617 mph. Raced in the Consolation race. Finished in 2nd place with an average speed of 339.651 mph. Started the Trophy race, but did not finish. Raced in the Heat race. Finished in 6th place with an average speed of 259.077 mph. Was a fill-in and so left the race on lap 8.

Circa 9 October 1974

Photographer: Unknown
Notes: Photographed at the National Air Races in Mojave, CA.

From 13 September 1977 to 18 September 1977

Raced as #38, named Double Trouble.
Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Unlimited class. The primary pilot was Gary Levitz from Scottsdale, AZ. Qualified in 14th place with an average speed of 328.80 mph. Raced in Heat B. Finished in 7th place with an average speed of 318.99 mph. Raced in the Heat 2A race. Finished in 1st place with an average speed of 333.14 mph. Started the Medallion 2 race, but did not finish. Raced in the Reserve race. Finished in 1st place with an average speed of 333.14 mph.

From 12 September 1978 to 17 September 1978

Raced as #38, named Double Trouble.
Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Unlimited class. The primary pilot was Gary Levitz. Qualified in 17th place with an average speed of 344.85 mph. Raced in the First Trophy race. Finished in 3rd place with an average speed of 333.70 mph. Raced in the Heat 2A race. Finished in 1st place with an average speed of 348.29 mph. Raced in the Reserve race. Finished in 1st place with an average speed of 348.29 mph.

Circa 1979

Photographer: Kurtis Anderschat

February 1979

Photographer: Larry Johnson
Notes: In X51.

From 26 February 1979 to 4 March 1979

Raced as #38, named Double Trouble.
Competed at the Homestead Florida in the Unlimited class. The primary pilot was Gary Levitz from Scottsdale, AZ. Qualified in 10th place with an average speed of 337.801 mph. Raced in Heat 1 Bronze. Finished in 2nd place with an average speed of 322.415 mph. Raced in Round 2. Finished in 3rd place with an average speed of 326.382 mph. Raced in the Silver Semi-Final race. Finished in 3rd place with an average speed of 330.318 mph.

27 February 1979

Photographer: Larry Johnson
Notes: At Miami Homestead General Airport in Florida

From 11 September 1979 to 16 September 1979

Raced as #38.
Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Unlimited class. The primary pilot was Gary Levitz. Qualified in 16th place with an average speed of 352.81 mph. Raced in the Bronze race. Finished in 1st place with an average speed of 330.55 mph. Raced in the Silver 1 race. Finished in 6th place with an average speed of 340.20 mph. Raced in the Silver Semi-Final race. Finished in 6th place with an average speed of 343.02 mph.

September 1980

Photographer: Gary Maisack
Notes: Reno Air Races

From 10 September 1980 to 14 September 1980

Raced as #38.
Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Unlimited class. The primary pilot was Gary Levitz. Qualified in 17th place with an average speed of 339.85 mph. Started the Bronze race, but did not finish. Raced in the Bronze 1 race. Finished in 3rd place with an average speed of 323.57 mph. Raced in the Bronze 2 race. Finished in 5th place with an average speed of 285.23 mph.

Circa 10 September 1980

Photographer: Charlene Aro
Notes: Photographed at the National Championship Air Races at Stead Field near Reno, Nevada.

September 1983

Crashed.
Damaged when the undercarriage collapsed at Reno, NV.

From 12 September 1983 to 18 September 1983

Raced as #38 {1}, named Double Trouble.
Competed at the National Championship Air Races in the Unlimited class. The primary pilot was Gary Levitz. Qualified in 23rd place with an average speed of 348.76 mph. Raced in the Silver race. Finished in 4th place with an average speed of 374.42 mph. This well-known P-38, now in a gloss black paint scheme, was damaged in an accident on the ramp when the right engine was started without the gear handle being in the down and locked position. Naturally, the minute there was power, the gear retracted and the airplane sank to the ramp, damaging the right propeller, tail boom, and empennage.

Circa 12 September 1983

Photographer: Charlene Aro
Notes: Photographed at the National Championship Air Races at Stead Field near Reno, Nevada.

From 1 November 1983 to 1984

To Invader Aviation, Wilmington, DE with new c/r N345DN.

From 3 August 1984 to 1987

To John MacGuire, MacGuire Ranch, El Paso, TX with new c/r N577JB.

From 11 March 1987 to 1990

To MacGuire Charitable Foundation, Santa Teresa, NM keeping c/r N577JB.

1990

Based at War Eagles Air Museum, Santa Teresa Airport/Dona Ana County Airport, Santa Teresa, NM.
View the Location Dossier

1994

To War Eagles Air Museum, Santa Teresa, NM keeping c/r N577JB.
Markings added: N345, Relampago

By August 1994

Markings Applied: Relampago, N345.
Displayed in a glossy black finish.

August 1994

Photographer: Han de Ridder
Notes: Scanned slide.

June 1998

Last engine runs, then the engines were inhibited.

1 January 2012

Certificate of airworthiness for NL577JB (F-5G, 8057) issued.

28 June 2013

Photographer: Zane Adams
Notes: At the War Eagles Museum - Santa Teresa, NM

April 2016

Photographer: Gustavo Bonilla

April 2016

Photographer: Gustavo Bonilla