WWII P-38 LIGHTNING TRENCH ART FROM ME-109 PROP 1943

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First, let me say I recently obtained this WWII TRENCH ART directly from the veteran, whom I met in our local car dealership while waiting to have my car's oil changed. We were in the waiting room and I struck up a conversation that led to him telling me that he was in World War Two in the European theater of Operations. 85-year old Phillip J. "O," related that he was in the 45th Infantry "Thunderbird" Division, 8th Army, backing up Patton's 7th Army in preparation for the Italian Invasion Campaign. In 1943, Phil landed in North Africa, and long story short, he was mildly wounded in Sicily and shortly tafter sent to Sardinia, w he recovered and was made a supervisor in charge of rebuilding air fields and barracks destroyed and abandoned by the Germans who retreated to the Italian mainland, leaving behind an air field strewn with wrecked planes and pieces. While t, it was customary for the Army to hire local laborers. Phil befriended one of the Italians, a skilled machinist, who retrieved a propeller from a crashed ME-109 and fashioned for him, this miniature and detailed version of a P-38 Lightning Fighter Plane Ash Tray. In appreciation, Phil rewarded the Italian for his creative labor with a pack of American cigarettes which he coveted. Please understand and appreciate the fact that this P-38 ashtray was hand-machined from a hunk of bar stock cut from an ME-109 propeller in 1943; it is not anything like the vast majority of trench art brought back which was fashioned from putting together several brass ammunition casings which is much easier to make. This is an incredibly near-perfect and highly-detailed scale model P-38.In addition, I also obtained several more of Phil's WWII items, as he didn't mind parting with them, however, I refused his Purple Heart. I will be listing these other WWII items shortly. Condition is amazingly Super Good, looks just as it was made in 1943, no damage, no issues, in fact, Phil kept it on his bedroom dresser top. Material is lightweight aluminum-like but seems to be more like monel? Size: wingspan is 7 3/4" by 5 3/4" long, and weighs 15.4 ounces. Height from ground is 8" to 9", depending on plane's pivotal attitude. The plane portion is removable and balances on a stud at the top of the base's arm and can pivot 360 degrees. I cannot find any markings on the plane or base.To help you decide, I've opted for a low starting price and many super-sized photos so you can get a good "feel" for the item. Don't delay, bid now before this unique WWII Treasure P-38 Trench Art is gone!The photos tell the story, and are as representative as the text description, so you look and examine my photographs closely and decide for yourself what this P-38 Trench Art Ashtray from 1943 is worth to you and bid accordingly; for what you see, is exactly what you'll get. Please E-mail me with questions, comments or for more photos, as I like questions. You are bidding on one P-38 WWII trench art airplane, sold as-is, as-shown, no returns.Shipping is $9.50 by USPS Priority Mail--Flat Rate Box, with Delivery Confirmation Included(for peace of mind)to any eBay Confirmed/verified U.S.A. address. International bidders are welcome, however, shipping will be higher andPlease note that Payment is due in SEVEN days of auction end, either by PayPal--preferred--or by money order/personal check(which will take time to clear). Also note that if your address is NOT eBay-confirmed/verified, then payment MUST be made by money order/check, and I'll ship ASAP upon receipt of payment. In this case, please send payment to: Ron Card, 501 Chestnut Oaks Lane, Charlotte Court House, VA 23923-4113.I prefer using eBay correspondence, however, feel free to e-mail me at: Ron, your seller, a retired Professional Photo Journalist, wishes to thank you for your interest, and kindly check back often! read more

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