P-38F Lighting Glacier Girl 1:48 Academy 12208

Plastic model airplane kit: P-38F Lightning Glacier Girl 1:48 Academy 12208

We present the P-38F Lightning Glacier Girl model kit in 1:48 scale, produced by the renowned company Academy. This unique model is a treat for aviation enthusiasts and World War II history buffs, as well as for modeling enthusiasts who value precision and attention to detail.

Model specifications:

• Scale: 1:48
• Manufacturer: Academy
• Catalog number: 12208
• Material: Plastic

History of the Glacier Girl airplane:

Glacier Girl is the legendary Lockheed P-38 Lightning, a fighter from World War II, with serial number 41-7630. This aircraft became known as part of the so-called "Lost Squadron." On July 15, 1942, during Operation Bolero, six P-38 fighters from the 94th Fighter Squadron and two B-17 bombers were forced to make an emergency landing on a glacier in Greenland due to poor weather conditions and limited visibility. All crews were rescued, but the aircraft, including Glacier Girl, were buried under 82 meters of snow and ice that accumulated over the following decades.

Recovery and restoration:

After 50 years, in 1992, the aircraft was brought to the surface by members of the Greenland Expedition Society after years of searching and excavations. Glacier Girl was then transported to Middlesboro, Kentucky, where it underwent a thorough restoration, bringing it back to flying condition. The recovery process of the aircraft was documented in an episode of the "Mega Movers" series on the History Channel, titled "Extreme Aircraft Recovery."

In October 2002, the Lightning took to the skies again. In June 2007, Glacier Girl attempted to fly across the Atlantic to Duxford, England, to complete the flight started 65 years earlier. Unfortunately, due to a coolant leak in the right engine, the aircraft had to land in Goose Bay, Labrador. After repairs, which included the installation of two refurbished Allison engines, Glacier Girl returned to the USA and has since been showcased at airshows across the United States.

Assembly and painting kit. Does not include paints or glue. Separate modeling tools (including cutters, files, tweezers), paints, brushes, and plastic model glue (e.g., Tamiya Extra Thin Cement) are required for assembly. The photo shows a professionally assembled and painted model.