LOCKHEED F-4-1-LO LIGHTNING

 

CAUTION: Some of these serials are subject to confirmation.
This table must be read in conjunction with the full explanation in the notes below.

MSN
USAAF
SERIAL
RAAF
SERIAL
RAAF
UNIT
REMARKS
5376
41-2158
A55-1
1PRU
5377
41-2159
A55-2
1PRU
5362
41-2144
A55-3
1PRU
See A55-3 See Note 2
5374
41-2156
nil
75SQN
5438
41-2220
nil
75SQN
5348
41-2130
nil
1PRU
See 41-2130 See Note 1
5357
41-2139
nil
1PRU
See 41-2139 See Note 1
5435
41-2217
nil
1PRU
See 41-2217

 

NOTES
1
41-2156 was substituted for either 41-2130 or 41-2139 but it is not known which.
2

A document dated 4 August 1943 from Air Member for Supply and Equipment to No 5 Maintenence Group, RAAF listing aircraft received in Australia from the USA and the NEI states that three F-4s were delivered to the RAAF (see box below). They are identified as 41-2144, 41-2158 and 41-2159. As the latter two almost certainly became A55-1 and A55-2 respectively, this document implies that A55-3 could have been formerly 21-2144. Most references state that A55-3 was previously 41-2122 and indeed this serial number is typed on the RAAF status card for A55-3. Matters are further complicated by the history of the 8th PRS which records that 41-2122 crashed and burned near Hood Point, PNG during a local familiarisation flight by a newly posted pilot on 5 December 1943. (The serial number 41-2122 is typed in the diary of the 8th PRS). The pilot, F/O Fred Cross, died the following day as a result of his injuries. Furthermore, USAAF records state that 41-2122 was stricken on 5 December 1943 as a result of a non-combat accident. A possible explanation for the confusion is that a hand-written "44" could have been easily misinterpreted as "22" by the clerk who typed "41-2122" on the RAAF status card for A55-3. It is possible that the the same source material could have been interpreted differently by the clerk who typed the August 1943 document (see extract below). Further evidence is to be found in a photo of an RAAF camouflaged F-4 (thought to be A55-3) displaying the number "44" on the nose. Therefore, on the basis of the available evidence, it is concluded that A55-3 was more likely ex 41-2144 and not 41-2122 as stated in most references.

 

 

See also: 44 Reasons to be Confused

 

Issue Date Remarks
5 04MAY14
Major revision. It is now concluded that, in all probability, A55-3 was previously 41-2144 and not 41-2122 as stated previously. Accordingly, Note 2 has been completely rewritten.
4 12AUG11
Added Note 2.
3 18FEB04
Added 41-2130, 41-2139 and 41-2217 to the table.
2 20NOV01
Added fates for 41-2156 and 41-2220

 



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