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Please Note: Due to limited quantities P-38 Lightning PlaneTags are restricted to one per customer for the first 24 hours.
The Lockheed P-38 Lightning is an iconic World War II aircraft, a symbol of aviation excellence and ingenuity, renowned for its exceptional speed, maneuverability, and distinct twin-boom design. MotoArt had the rare opportunity to tag a P-38, one that had been forgotten for decades but is now being restored. This is Dumbo, 42-12847, and here is its story.
Discover more on our blog B-38 Lightning: The Legacy of Lockheed's Lightning
42-12847 rolled out of Lockheed’s Burbank, California, plant in 1942 and was shipped to the South West Pacific Area to be reassembled and join the fight. Upon arrival, it was assigned to the US Army Air Force’s 5th Air Force, 35th Fighter Group, 39th Fighter Squadron - Cobra in the Clouds. Christened Dumbo by its pilot First Lt John C. Dunbar, who also painted its nose art, it was assigned number 37 and flew combat missions over New Guinea - a strategic island for both the Allies and Japanese forces. On September 2, 1943, Dumbo force landed at Terapo Airfield. Pilot Lt. Hamilton Laing was unhurt, but Dumbo remained where it landed for decades.
In 1980, part of Dumbo’s hulk was recovered and has since been added to 42-12647, A P-38F “Dottie from Brooklyn,” which is currently undergoing restoration. In 2002, the remainder of 42-12847 was salvaged and is also currently undergoing restoration.
Through our shared effort to celebrate and preserve aviation history, Pima Air & Space Museum and MotoArt have worked together to use the original skin material removed during the restoration process, to create a tangible piece of history you can hold, collect and treasure. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of these P-38 PlaneTags will directly benefit Pima so they can continue their mission to preserve historic aircraft and warbirds.
The Lockheed P-38 Lightning PlaneTags tell the amazing story of Dumbo, and of the ingenuity and spirit of the engineers and pilots alike. Add one of our special, limited edition PlaneTags to your collection today.
LOCKHEED MARTIN®, LOCKHEED®, associated emblems and logos, and body designs of vehicles are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Lockheed Martin Corporation in the USA and/ or other jurisdictions, used under license by MotoArt PlaneTags LLC.
PlaneTags are:
*Important Notice – Please Read Carefully
PlaneTags are made from actual retired aircraft fuselage, not merely stamped metal. Because PlaneTags are made from real fuselage, each PlaneTag bears the color, thickness, and wear and tear from the portion of the fuselage from which it was cut and it is therefore rare to create two identical PlaneTags. These variations and imperfections are not product flaws. They are part of the beauty of PlaneTags. As a result, you will not have an option to select the color of your PlaneTag. The images on this website are provided for reference only and should not be used as the sole basis for choosing a particular PlaneTag.
