41-2220

 

 

 


Type: L222-62-13 Lightning F-4-1-LO
Msn: 5438

History:



01FEB42 Received by USAAF.
04AUG42 Received Long Beach.
06AUG42 Received Lowry (8PRS).
19SEP42 Received Colorado Springs.
04OCT42 Received Sacramento Air Depot.
29NOV42 "Lt. Thomas arrived at noon from the mainland in a replacement ship, F-4 "2220". The ship, which somebody back in the States was kind enough to send us, was one of the old model ships and had been used for training back home. It is in such bad shape that a 100-hour inspection is needed immediately." (Source: "The Eight Ballers" by Stanaway and Rocker quoting from the diary of the 8PRS). It is not known if the aircraft was given a name.
08JAN43 Lt. V.E. Murphy of 8PRS flying "2220" on a mapping mission discovered a Japanese destroyer and freighter between Lae and Salamaua.
16AUG43 Flown from Port Moresby to Turnbull, Milne Bay by Flt. Lt. Buster Brown on delivery to No 75 Squadron RAAF on loan from 8PRS (in company with 41-2156).

The following entries are sourced from the Log Book of Squadron Leader Geoff Atherton, RAAF and all refer to 41-2220.

07SEP43 Photo recce Gasmata (2 hr 35 min)
18SEP43 Photo recce Kiriwina (2 hr 26 min)
20SEP43 Photo recce Garove Island. (3 hr 55 min) "Job covered 24000 12000"
09OCT43 Photo recce Montague Harbour, Gasmata inland (2 hr 15 min) "Photos taken"
10OCT43 Photo recce (Gasmata - shore) (2 hr 35 min) "Photos taken"
11OCT43 Photo recce Talasea (2 hr 50 min) "Photos taken"
12OCT43 Photo recce Rabaul (2 hr 55 min) "Intercepted by 2 Haps 20-25 miles from target. Both had 1 shot but did not hit me. 245 IAS 29000 Ind Alt."
19OCT43 Test flight (30 min) "460 mph IAS"
20OCT43 Photo recce Talasea, Arawe Harbour (2 hr 45 min) "W/C Arthur took 56. Photos taken"
21OCT43 Photo recce New Ireland (3 hr 25 min) "Looking for cruiser hit by 8 Sqn torp. Nil sightings."

The preceeding entries are sourced from the Log Book of Squadron Leader Geoff Atherton, RAAF and all refer to 41-2220.


21DEC43 75 Squadron F-4 operations terminated and the two aircraft were returned to 8PRS.
26SEP44 Condemned as salvage by Fifth Air Force, Brisbane.
09APR46 Struck off by USAAF.



Issue Date Remarks
3 16JUL10
Added a photo of 41-2220 in service with the 8PRS thanks to Bob Rocker.
2 07JAN08
Added a photo of 41-2220 during its 75 Sqn service. Thanks to Gordon Birkett.
1 22FEB04
Original issue. Drawn from USAAF Aircraft History Card supplied by Terry Geary and the log book of Squadron Leader Geoff Atherton.



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