Red Wen Mac P-38 Lightning

prostreet Tue Nov 21, 2017 4:10 pm

I just picked up a red Wen Mac P-38 lightning and was wondering if anyone has any information as to how "rare" this particular color is and when it was produced. Most of the time I see the gray version with either red or white props or the Testors chrome version. This is only the second red version of this plane I've come across. It has never been fueled as there is no fuel residue anywhere and the engines are both free as is the spring starter on each one. The wheels have absolutely no marks or scratches from being flown-they are mint. The landing gear wire is plain as they do not have the plastic landing gear struts as do the gray and chrome planes I've seen. The machine gun insert is there but the barrels are broken off. I plan on reproducing this part to make the plane look correct. The gun barrels have a gold tone to them not the black color as in the gray and chrome versions. Any input would be most appreciated. Thank you.

J

Marleysky Tue Nov 21, 2017 8:53 pm

I don’t know the “stats” as to how rare, or how many were produced. If this works it is a linc to Mark Boeson’s 049 Collector Pages

https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/049Collectors/photos/albums/1318534595

agbiv Sat Nov 25, 2017 9:29 pm

Please post some pics of your airplane! Love to see one in red!

Mark Boesen Sun Nov 26, 2017 11:03 pm

New for '63, only made for a couple of years, the survival rate was pretty low for this planes, about the only ones that survived were the ones that didn't see air.

Mark Boesen Mon Nov 27, 2017 3:03 pm

...so yep, pretty rare. there was also a red 'toy' p-38 made about this time and could of been made into a conversion, it would be cool to see photos. As far as value goes i'd guess and say 40-50% more than a comparable grey version.

prostreet Fri Dec 01, 2017 3:14 pm

Thank you very much to those who responded regarding this airplane. I have reproduced the machine gun insert that had two broken barrels when I got the model and painted them gold as I was able to see this paint on the gun insert and remaining partial barrel. Also, the information posted by Mark Boesen shows a red Lighning that clearly exhibits the three machine gun barrels in a gold tone. The gun reproduction came out fantastic and looks great in the nose. I'm not really well versed in posting photos but if I can, I will. Thanks again to all who responded and have a Happy Holiday Season!

Joe

David Lewis Sat Jun 06, 2020 1:48 pm

The toy version was "whip control". It did not have engines but rather free-wheeling propellers. I believe it had three nylon control lines -- two for the elevator and one to eject the pilot. I have a video of it flying in December 1963. The weak point was the injection molded polystyrene wheels. After many touch and go's on pavement the wheels would wear down to nubs.

**944_Jim** Sun Jun 07, 2020 6:30 pm

Yup...and it says so under "Toy Plane."
"Requires no fuel or battery."

The one that got me (keep in mind I never saw this plane before) is in the ad. "Enough power for the P-38 to do any manuever. Really?