MAJ. MCGUIRE'S PUDGY (V) P-38 LIGHNING

USAAF 5TH  AIR FORCE, 431ST FS, 475 FG

WWII ACES

Historical Note:  This P-38, nicknamed “Pudgy V” was flown by Maj. Thomas McGuire, the 2^nd highest American ace of all time.  McGuire racked up 38 kills, just 2 behind Dick Bong, the all-time Ace of Aces. All McGuire’s kills were in the Pacific Theater during World War II.  In 1944, in combat missions flown on Christmas Day and the day after, McGuire shot down 7 Japanese Zeroes single-handedly flying the Pudgy V.  On January 7^th, 1945, less than two weeks later, McGuire was leading a group of four P-38s over a Japanese-held airstrip on the Los Negros Islands, in the Philippines. His formation scattered and an enemy aircraft zeroed in on a friend’s P-38. The pilot radioed for help and McGuire quickly responded. Flying in a tight situation at low altitude caused McGuire's plane to stall and crash. He died attempting to save a friend's life, and was posthumously awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor.

ITEM NUMBER: AA5363                                                                                                                                                            Price: $54.95

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