P-38J-20-LO, s/n 44-23513, coded F5-I "droopsnoot" Lightning of the 428th Fighter Squadron, 474th Fighter Group. Location appears to be airfield R-2, Bad Langensalza, Germany, late spring 1945. Aircraft forced to ditch in the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of Nice, France 9 May 1945 after suffering a dual engine failure. The pilot, 1Lt. Robert D. Hanson, and his passenger, 1Lt. Lloyd Wenzel, survived the ditching. First handwritten caption on reverse: 'P-38? "Pathfinder"!' Second handwritten caption on reverse: '428th FS, 474th FG, 9th Air Force.' Droop Snoop P-38 lead bomber A/C with bombardier in modified nose.

P-38J-20-LO, s/n 44-23513, coded F5-I "droopsnoot" Lightning of the 428th Fighter Squadron, 474th Fighter Group. Invasion stripes below wing indicate service in ETO late 1944, early 1945. Location appears to be airfield A-78, Florennes, Belgium. Aircraft forced to ditch in the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of Nice, France 9 May 1945 after suffering a dual engine failure. The pilot, 1Lt. Robert D. Hanson, and his passenger, 1Lt. Lloyd Wenzel, survived the ditching.