p38s

Probably P-38 of the 347th FG close to the end of war.

I may be grabbing at straws... the number stencilled on the panel adjacent to the artist's nape appears to read "25827." I don't know if Lockheed - or the assigned unit - was ever in the habit of 'tagging' panels to particular aircraft, but this may be P-38L serial 44-25827.

May be or not, because this stenciling is unusual and can not to be compared to others photos of P-38's from this period. This may to be an oldest version of P-38 too (i.e. J-25) because doesn't have any signs of an adhesive tape ( they were permanently washed out during a service) and had a serious damage on the nose, maybe in combat. Another P-38 in this set is nearly a factory fresh P-38L-5 with very good visible signs of adhesive tape. Because a photographer from an another unit did both photos probably at one time then these both P-38's probably were assigned to the unit in two different periods, but this is just a speculation ;-)

Looking at this from a different point is worth to say, that it can to be a serial number painted especially in the unit because an original was obscured. The log books of the pilots and of the units usualy use serial numbers, not code markings or an individual names and this serial was helpful for the crew while reporting and maintenance.

Shouldn't this be labeled 13th AF? Note patch on sleeve.

This is a B-24D-85 assigned to the 63rd Bomb Squadron - 43rd Bomb Group - 5th USAAF - Air Corps serial number 42-40686. The nickname this aircraft carried was "LIBERTY BELLE".

Panthers, Flying Fiends & Headhunters - welcome to the 8th Fighter Group.