42-104075 Droop Snoot
IWM, Roger Freeman Collection
Object Number - FRE 3255 - A P-38 Lightning nicknamed "Droop Snoot".
P-38J Lightning field modified to 'Droop Snoot' * configuration and retained by Operational Engineering.
* The 'Droop Snoot' field conversion entailed the removal of the nose armament and associated equipment to make room for a prone bombardiers position with the installation of a plexiglass nose, a Norden bombsight, side windows and an emergency hatch. The theory was for a formation of P-38's to drop their bombs on the formation lead 'Droop snoots' signal with the precision of the Norden bombsight ensuring the accuracy of the formations bombing. An idea championed by Lt Col Cass Hough and Lt Col Dan Ostrander.
Connections
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Units served with
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: Eighth Air Force
- Highest Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
- Role/Job: Deputy Commander
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 367th Fighter Group 392nd Fighter Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-557316
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Fighter Pilot
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: Headquarters (Eighth Air Force)
- Service Numbers: O-20697
- Highest Rank: Major General
- Role/Job: Ordnance and Armament Officer
Places
- Site type: Airfield
- Site type: Airfield
Events
| Event | Location | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Manufactured |
Burbank, CA, USA | Built by Lockheed as a P-38J. | |
|
Delivered |
Long Beach, CA, USA | Delivered to USAAF. | |
|
Other Field Modified |
Langford Lodge, Ireland | P-38J Lightning field modified to 'Droop Snoot' * configuration and retained by Operational Engineering. |
![French countryside, photographed through the nose of a P-38 Lightning of the 367th Fighter Group on landing. Image stamped on reverse: 'Not to be published 30 Aug 1944.' [stamp], 'Passed for publication 31 May 1945.' [stamp] and '354528 .' [censor no.] Printed caption on reverse: 'P-38s over the Seine. No.1 of a series of pix taken through the nose of the P-38 as it comes in to land. Scherschel LIFE.'](https://assets.americanairmuseum.com/s3fs-public/styles/teaser_thumb_x2/public/freeman/media-456843.jpg.webp?itok=vyT98_c0)
