The XP-80. The Lockheed XP-80 was the first jet fighter used operationally by the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF).
Designed and built by Lockheed in 1943 and delivered just 143 days from the start of the design process, production models were flying, and two pre-production models did see very limited service in Italy. The the decision was made to bring it to a battle field for tests and trials, with 2 sent to England and 2 sent to Southern Italy. I am researching here (in North America) and abroad ( in Italy) of the following:
how the two designated to be tested in Southern Italy go there.........?
how hey got transported from the landing site to the old airfield near Lesina (FG) Italy.
Who? where the test pilots? the crew and the administration?
how long was it at the Lesina site? was it flown back? was it un-assembled and crated and re-assembled in the USA?
I am a local researcher from Lesina (FG) Italy, and started this research and some of the questions as listed above aren't available from the regular web channels and sites; if anyone has information that they are willing to share so the research can be completed and the members of that service can be honored and remembered by the local historical committee, please do not hesitate to contact me at: tricci57@gmail.com, grazie.
