Lefty Gardner's P38L White Lightning

[drKEV806]

I am friends with the guys that Lefty was getting his engines from.

[F6fhellcatace]

in that video the superchargers are working i know i flew a p-38 and the designer told me that the engines can't be used without the superchagers at all unless u want a engine fire.

[F6fhellcatace]

the white lighting is back in the us i have bought it from red bull austrilla for 2.5 million and it know is waiting for the allison engines to be repaired.

[wxbug1]

Lefty Gardner and #13 White Lightnin Live Forever!!!

[blairin]

I Can't wait to see White Lightning at the Reno National Championship Air Races

[TwinBoom]

white lightning was sold to red bull

[GreenGabber1]

I was there in 96' too! Minter Field is a great place for an airshow, the runway is relatively close to the crowd. Lefty flew it so smooth. I'll never see it again! Unless it comes back to the USA.

[topgunphotographer]

hey thanks for posting this! I was there and took still shots, but have very few negs left from the show. Nice to see it again.

[peacemak1]

Why in memories?

that plane will be flight next time for the flying Bulls in austria^^ greetz joey

[Paganiproductions]

I am very glad that his plane lives on

[LukiBuki69]

haha.. and i gonna see it, because i´m from austria. :D

[Neuf1965]

I flew in that plane with Lefty in 1989. Still one of my finest memories.

[rmfeiring]

Lefty passed away on 12-24-08.

God speed Lefty, you will be missed.

[megashegem]

Read father down in the comments section you'll find the answer...It's a P-38L.

[beauf1ght3r]

@1pLUs44  how is this not a p38?

[tegreeb]

I had the pleasure of seeing Lefty fly at Reno for over 10 years.If there was ever a perfect marriage between man and plane Lefty and the White Lightning were it.

Oh and there is supposed to be some rule about flying to low at Reno,never did seem to concern Lefty to much lol

[fly524]

(continued)

It goes without saying that flying in the back "seat" of White Lightnin was quite an experience -- one that I wouldn't trade for anything. Red Bull has it back flying again after an amazing restoration. Too bad Lefty couldn't have taken the first flight again.

Here's a toast to Lefty -- a good Christian family man and a fantastic pilot.

[fly524]

Sleepingporchdog --

I envy you. I wish I could have been in on those days. From the stories I've heard those were great times. Joe was a great man and certainly a great pilot. Lefty and I attended his funeral together.

I think this was the 1st of the two years I was at this airshow with Lefty. I was fortunate to have known him on the tail end of his flying career.

[Sleepingporchdog]

I worked for Lefty and Joe Henderson for 4 Summers in West Texas spraying mesquite.

Fun to see Lefty fly again here.

[joebobshouse]

Nice vid. Great sound!! For those commenting on the cowlings - when Lefty pulled the turbos the intercooler in the 'chin' intake was no longer required. The sleeker "F" or "G" units replaced the "L" spec. setup.

[megashegem]

Thanks for clearing this up. I guess we were both right. I hope Irvine5312x6ma gets this info. Thanks for the comment and thanks for watching.NOTE:I still use that old Sony HI-digt.8 just for the sound it records.

[NoDakBees]

@joebobshouse The "J" variants were the first ones introduced with the extra chin intake.

[Irvine5312x6ma]

Clearly visible at 4:46 shows that this isn't a P-38L but an F, G or H model because the radiators aren't of "beard" type! But the video rocks fellow, keep up the good work!!!

[megashegem]

Not to argue with you but check out his web sight or google p-38 white lightning. They all say P-38L-5 Lightning. Thanks for watching.

[Irvine5312x6ma]

I would agree with you, and I did search Google for the plane but please watch the video entitled "Lockheed P-38 Lightning Flight Demonstration - Up Close" and observe carefuly please the radiators of the P-38 whilst it's on the ground. You will be surprised that there can't be even a comparison between the White's radiators and the other Lightning's ones...please if you like do me that favour, you will agree that the White Lightning isn't after all an L model...

Cheers!!!!

Irvine5312x6ma

[megashegem]

I understand what your saying about the radiators but the bottom line is it's a P38L according to LEFTY GARDNER. Maybe it's an F5 Lightning.Those were P-38L'S with modifications or it could be that he used P38F cowlings on a P38L for less drag.After all he did race the plane at reno.Have a nice day.

[Irvine5312x6ma]

Yes that may be correct, that he used P-38F cowlings instead of the standard L models' because of the reason you mentioned. OK, keep posting such great vids fellow, Cheers!!!

[joebobshouse]

Hello - The CAF "Contrails" magazine reports that Lefty changed the cowlings on his "L" to earlier "F" or "G" spec. because he pulled the turbos and the intercooler 'chin' intake was therefore no longer required. Wonder where he got those cowlings...

[jtrusl]

@joebobshouse The cowlings were actually changed to the sleeker "F" model back in '47, way before Lefty. N25Y was then "Sky Ranger, #14" in the Cleveland Air Races. The wings as well as props were clipped, and along with the new cowls gave it a top speed od over 400 mph. Previously up to then it had the original F-5 nose & cowls with the chin and was owned by JW Reed and flown by Charlie Walling.

[blairin]

Does it realy matter. I'm pretty sure Lefty knew what kind of aircraft he was flying. enjoy the fotage. Lets see More.

[taofledermaus]

I got to see Lefty fly a couple of times. He could really handle that thing well. The sound of hearing it in person sends shivers up your spine. Awesome experience.

[erad5]

I heard some great news, that a restoration has been completed of this same airplane, although not back to the White Lightning, but to the early all-aluminum finish that it once was. It sorta looks like the prototype p-38 now, at least so far as i know.

[warbirdfotos]

Great post mega!!! No cheesey music or commentary, just the sweet sound and sight of a true classic racer and pilot. He and his ship will be missed. So glad i got to see him many times at Reno.

Blue Sky's

Anthony

[razgrizaceblaze259]

What happened to him and his P-38? He flew that thing superbly in this video.

[megashegem]

Google p-38 white lightning to see what happened to it.