42-67450 Eze Does It

A P-38 Lightning nicknamed "EZE Does It" of the 20th Fighter Group fitted with a "droop snoot" for bombing missions at Kings Cliffe. Handwritten caption on reverse: '20FG. "Droop Snoot". Bombing P-38.' media-400655.jpg FRE 2379 P-38J-10-LO, s/n 42-67450, coded LC-E, nicknamed "EZE Does It" of the 77th Fighter Squadron, 20th Fighter Group fitted with a "droop snoot" for bombing missions at Kings Cliffe. Handwritten caption on reverse: '20FG. "Droop Snoot". Bombing P-38.' Roger Freeman Collection

Updated a/c information

Object Number - FRE 2379 - P-38J-10-LO, s/n 42-67450, coded LC-E, nicknamed "EZE Does It" of the 77th Fighter Squadron, 20th Fighter Group fitted with a "droop snoot" for...

P-38J field modified to 'Droop Snoot*' configuration. Assigned to the 20th Fighter Group. The groups other P-38's would fly in close formation with the 'droop snoot*' and all drop their bombs when the lead aircraft released its. Several missions were flown using this technique in the build up to D-Day. These missions weren't popular with the pilots who werent keen on flying straight and level in close formation over enemy targets !

The 'Droop Snoot*' entered active service with the 20th Fighter Group on 10 April 1944, when one was used to lead forty-two P-38Js of the 20th FG against the Luftwaffe base at Gutersloh in Germany.



* The 'Droop Snoot' field conversion entailed the removal of the nose armament and associated equipment to make room for a prone bombardiers/observers 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.



Side Profile Picture: http://www.littlefriends.co.uk/gallery.php?Group=20&Style=item&origStyl…

Connections

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Units served with

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 20th Fighter Group 306th Bomb Group 368th Bomb Squadron 77th Fighter Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-731368
  • Highest Rank: Captain
  • Role/Job: Bombardier

Places

Missions

Events

Event Location Date Description

Other

Operational mission

Gütersloh, Germany 10 April 1944 Led forty-two P-38Js of the 20th Fighter Group against the Luftwaffe base at Gutersloh in Germany. 10-4-44.

Other

Operational mission

Lyon, France 30 April 1944 Led P-38Js of the 20th Fighter Group, Lyon/Clermont/ Siracourt. 30th April 44.

Other

Operational mission

Tours-Paris, France 12 June 1944 Led P-38Js of the 20th Fighter Group Tours-Paris. 12th June 44.

Other

Operational mission

Paris, France 23 June 1944 Led P-38Js of the 20th Fighter Group, Paris. 23rd June 44.

Crashed

Avenue de Villacoublay, France 13 December 1944 Landing accident Villacoublay/A-42 Cat 4 damage, pilot Lt Paul R Gill, 13-12-44. 10th Depot Repair Squadron 10th Air Depot Group 9AF.

Other

SOC Struck Off Charge

Chilbolton, Stockbridge, Hampshire SO20, UK 15 December 1944 Struck Off Charge.

Other

Transferred to 9AF

Chilbolton, Stockbridge, Hampshire SO20, UK By June 1944 the writing was on the wall for the 20th FG's P-38. The decision had been made to replace it in 8AF service with the P-51 Mustang and the Lightnings would be transferred to 9AF for lower level tactical missions or to the Mediterranean Theatre where the warmer weather was more suited to the type. The 'Droop Snoot's* non standard configuration meant it remained in theatre [ETO] with the 10DRS, 10ADG, 9AF.

Manufactured

Burbank, CA, USA Built by Lockheed.

Delivered

Long Beach, CA, USA Delivered to USAAF.

Other

Field modified

Langford Lodge, Ireland Field modified to 'Droop Snoot*' configuration.

Other

Assigned

King's Cliffe, Peterborough, Northamptonshire PE8, UK Assigned to 77FS, 20FG, 8AF USAAF.

42-67450: Gallery (9 items)