P-38 White Lightning

Lefty`s White Lightning
Blue Skies Forever Lefty(Salute)
Lefty Gardner

KERRVILLE — On Dec. 24, 2008, Lefty Gardner departed this earth, showing us how to soar with the eagles, but this final time, on the wings of an angel. He passed away peacefully at the age of 87.

Lefty started his aviation career at the age of 21, when he joined the Army Air Corps. He flew 34 missions in the European Theater during World War II in B-24s and B-17s, receiving the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal with Three Oak Leaf Clusters. After his tour, Lefty joined an elite group of pilots flying to Sweden at night carrying supplies for the underground and POWs. After 12 missions, he came home and finished his education at Texas A&M, receiving a BS degree in agriculture.

Lefty and his brother started an Ag flying business in Crystal City, Texas. He then went on his own and, with a dear friend, developed a process used to control mesquite and other noxious brush on the West Texas ranches, allowing better grazing conditions for cattle. He retired from this after 35 years.

Lefty was reared in the Beeville, Texas, area. During his lifetime, he lived and worked his businesses in Crystal City, Brownwood, Mercedes and Lakeway. He and his wife retired in Kerrville, Texas.

He, along with others, founded the Confederate Air Force, now known as the Commemorative Air Force, and was a member of the General Staff for many years. As the first procurement officer for the CAF, he held both A/P and A/I licenses, enabling him to travel the world to repair and ferry vintage WWII aircraft home. He became the Chief Check Pilot for the CAF and was rated in all the aircraft the CAF acquired.

He was widely known for his flying abilities, especially in his P-38 White Lightnin, which he flew in many Reno Air Races and hundreds of airshows across the United States. He won first place in the Unlimited Gold Race at Reno in 1976, flying his P-51 Mustang Thunderbird. He raced in Reno for more than 25 years.

Lefty was a devout Christian and a member of the Hunt Baptist Church.

He is survived by his wife, Sharon; two sons, Ladd and Daron; three daughters, Gail Graham (Terry), Donna Miles (Mike) and Janie McNeil (Walter); five grandsons; two granddaughters; one great-granddaughter; as well as a sister, Dottie Potter, and many nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his parents; one daughter, Kim; two brothers and three sisters.

Lefty had many passions in life — his faith in God, his family and flying. He was the happiest when surrounded by his family and friends. There was never a dull moment with him as he created fun and laughter with his mischief and practical jokes. Leftys patriotism was obvious in all that he did. He was a loving husband, father and friend. We will miss him forever.

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• ww2
• jets
• air
• shows
• lefty
• gardner
• p38
• p-38

[MOJONIXION]

I think this is a earler model p-38.

[TwinBoom]

@MOJONIXION its an L with G radiators that were used when she was a racer at reno

[Riggro]

what a beautiful specimen of an aircraft. does anyone know if it still flies?

[TwinBoom]

@Riggro Yes RedBull Has bought her fully restored her and she is on tour

[roboman79]

What kinda engine does it have?

It sounds like a chevy engine! :P

[TwinBoom]

2 allison engines v12

[tz138]

AC?DC would be nice, but it would not fit the gracefullness of the flight, and definitely not the pilot's personality! Blue skies, Lefty!

[TwinBoom]

Yes truly sad Lefty will be missed.

[tz138]

That is correct.

[rustyATV]

@tz138 I recall reading that the P-51 had the same paint job was also Lefty's. I THINK he also raced it, but he eventually sold it to keep White Lightnin'.

[mjkobb]

Like everything else Kelly Johnson had a hand in, a magnificent airplane. Beautifully flown, too.

[tz138]

@fiftycaliberfistfuck In the late 1960s, before the move to Harlingen, Texas, the Confederate Air Force was located with Mercedes Flying Service (crop dusting service) at Old Rebel Field near Mercedes, Texas. At that time, most of the aircraft in the collection sported this paint job! I have pictures of my dad crawling out of a P-51D with this paint job. White Lighnin' kept this paint job because it was Lefty's, and it was a recon unit as opposed to a fighter. Also raced as # 14 and #13.

[cherb49]

awesome looking plane. Just love the sound of the engines!

[MrCongate]

If the p-51 is the cadilac of the sky, then this is the rollce roys