P-38 Lightning, Kerlingarhnúkur, Bláfjöll. October 14, 1943

Lockheed Lightning P-38, s/n 42-12586Lockheed P 38 Lightning USAF

The Accident:

2nd Lt. Alfred A, Arnold was coming back from a search mission south of Iceland. The purpose of the flight was a search for B-24J Liberator (from RAF 120 Squadron) missing on route from Labrador to Iceland.
Aircraft 42-12586 crashed in the North East slope of the small mountain Kerlingarhnúkur and ended up in a shallow canyon.
Stridsminjar visited the crash site in May 2010 and July 25, 2012.

The Crew:

2nd Lt. Alfred A, Arnold was killed in the crash.

The Aircraft:

Type: Lockheed Lightning P-38-5-LO
S/N: 42-12386
Operator: USAAF 50 Fighter Squadron, 342 Composite Group
The 50th FS operated P-38F in Iceland from Aug. 18. 1942 to Feb 4. 1944.

Details on aircraft: Wikipedia, Youtube

Issued 26.8.2015 update: 21.11.2018
Source: USAAF Loss List
H. Steinsson

Mr. Gunnar Guðlaugsson sent us these black and white photos. They where taken in sumer of 1970 when Gunnar and some friends visited the crash site. 
Color photos by ÞM.

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