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P-38 LIGHTNING/44-26981
Lockheed P-38 Lightning 44-26981
Serial #: 44-26981
Construction #: 7985
Civil Registration:
  NX53752
  N53752
  CF-GCH
  N5596V
  N7723C
Model(s):
  P-38L Lightning
  F-5G Lightning
Name: None
Status: Airworthy
Last info: 2025
Delivered to the United States Army Air Force as 44-26981.
- BOC: N/A
- SOC: N/A
Aero Exploration Co. Inc, Tulsa, OK, March 22, 1946-1951.
- Acquired from War Assets Administration, Kingman, AZ, for $1,250.
- Registered as NX53752, May 10, 1946.
- Registered as N53752, 1948.
- Withdrawn from service, Tulsa, OK, July 1949-1951.
Spartan Air Services Ltd., Ottawa, Ontario, December 1951-1956
- Registered as CF-GCH.
- Damaged when gear collapsed, Duluth, MN, May 3, 1953.
Hycon Aerial Surveys, Pasadena, CA, November 8, 1956-1962.
- Registered as N5596V.
- Retired, open storage, Las Vegas, NV, December 1959-1962.
Don E. May, Phoenix, AZ., June 25, 1962-1963.
Ben W. Widtfeldt/Desert Aviation Inc., Phoenix, AZ., June 19, 1963.
Aero Enterprises, La Porte, IN., September 9, 1963.
Laurel Walsh, Birmingham, MI., November 11, 1963.
J.W. Bohmier/New London Airport, New London, PA, December 6, 1963-1964.
Jim Cullen/Westair Co., Westminster, CO, November 2, 1964-1965.
Troy G. Hawkins, Wichita Falls, TX., September 9, 1965-1967.
L. James Ausland/Sports Air, Seattle, WA, April 20, 1967-1968.
William E. Padden, Los Angeles, CA, April 20, 1968-1970.
I.N. "Junior" Burchinal, Paris, TX, August 19, 1970-1973.
- Crashed and badly damaged after striking a car and trailer during landing
    causing gear collapse, Paris, TX, May 23, 19711972.
David M. Boyd/Eagle Aviation, Tulsa, OK, April 2, 1973-1979.
- Acquired wreckage for rebuild.
John P. Silberman, Key West, FL, January 4, 1979-1989.
- Rebuilt Live Oaks, FL, First flight September 1985.
Museum Of Flying, Santa Monica, CA, October 1989-1990.
- Restored and fitted with fighter nose, 1990.
William Lyons/Martin Aviation, Santa Ana, CA, May 20, 1990-1995.
- Damaged during belly landing, Winslow, AZ, August 1992.
- Repaired.
David Price/Liberty Aero Corp/Museum Of Flying, Santa Monica, CA, November 6, 1995-2002.
Commemorative Air Force, Midland, TX, September 2002.
Jack Croul/Vintage Fighters Inc, Chino, CA, May 27. 2005-2006.
Vintage Fighters LLC, Corona Del Mar, CA, February 7, 2006-2025.
- Registered as N7723C.
- Flew in metallic finish in USAAF scheme as "426981/981 Honey Bunny".

Note: ID also reported as 44-26996(CN:8000)
Lockheed P-38 Lightning 44-26981
Lockheed P-38 Lightning 44-26981
Lockheed P-38 Lightning 44-26981
Lockheed P-38 Lightning 44-26981
Lockheed P-38 Lightning 44-26981
Lockheed P-38 Lightning 44-26981
Lockheed P-38 Lightning 44-26981
Lockheed P-38 Lightning 44-26981
Source(s):
Chapman, John & Goodall, Geoff, Edited by Paul Coggan - Warbirds Directory,Warbirds Worldwide Ltd., Mansfield, England, 1989.
Goodall, Geoff - Warbirds Directory-4th Edition, 2003.
Goodall, Geoff - Warbirds Directory-6th Edition, 2023.
Federal Aviation Administration.
Photo Source(s):
Chuck Gardner
Brian Lockett - Goleta Air & Space Museum
Jerry O'Neill

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