ALEUTIAN P-38

Artist  James Havens  

No. 1  ALASKAN AVIATION HISTORY SERIES 

circa March 25th 2006 

Anchorage, Alaska  

Oil on canvas 3ft X 5ft

Permanent collection: “The Alaska Aviation Heritage Museum”

 Aleutian P-38- portrays P-38 Lightning nose number 95 of the infamous 54th fighter group of the 11th Air Force. In the distance is the 1940’s Shemya Base located on Shemya Island. 

Lost in the Aleutian Island Campaign of WWII, P-38 lightning tail number 13400, piloted by 2nd  Lt. Robert L. Nesmith, crashed in January of 1945 on Attu Island located in the Aleutian Islands of Alaska. Lt. Nesmith survived the crash and was later picked up on the shores of Attu Island. Lt. Nesmith continued a distinguished career as a fighter pilot until his retirement in 1960. 

The P-38 was recovered from Attu Island In June of 1999 and restored by a team of volunteers over a two year period. The plane is currently on display on Elmendorf AFB, Alaska near Heritage Park. Included on the print is the Insignia of the 54th fighter group, a map of the Aleutian Island Theater, and the insignia of the 11th Air Force.