Lockheed F-4-1-LO Lightning

Australia's association with the Lockheed Lightning had its beginnings in August 1942 when two batches of F-4 photographic reconnaissance variants of the P-38E arrived in Melbourne by sea. By December 1942, 1PRU had relocated to Coomalie Creek in the Northern Territory. Following the fatal crash of A55-2 in November, a replacement Lightning was obtained from the USAAF's 8PRS and this aeroplane was delivered to 1PRU as A55-3 on March 16, 1943. The plane was fitted with two K-17 photo-cameras.