Lockheed P-38 Lightning
Rugged, fast and versatile, the Lockheed P-38 Lightning was a potent combat aircraft and a superb fighter bomber, also flying as a night fighter, reconnaissance aircraft and torpedo-bomber. Powered by two liquid-cooled engines, the P-38 had a top speed of 414 miles per hour and carried a 20-mm cannon and four machine guns in its nose.
Designed in 1937 as a high-altitude "pursuit aircraft" (interceptor), the XP-38 was heavier than a Bristol Blenheim Mk. I, which at that time was the standard British medium bomber. Equipped with under wing droppable fuel tanks, the Lockheed P-38 was used extensively as a long-range escort fighter aircraft and saw action in practically every major combat area of the world. The Pacific theatre of operations produced the two highest scoring aces in American history - Major Richard Bong and Major Thomas McGuire, Jr. Both men flew P-38 Lightnings in the Southwest Pacific and each received the Medal of Honor in recognition of his courage and accomplishments.
After WW2, a number of Lockheed P-38s were used for aerial photography in the private sector. Almost 10,000 P-38s were built. Today, only a few are remaining.
Type:
Long range fighter and fighter bomber
Powerplant:
Two Allison V-1710-27/29
Max speed:
414 mph (666 km/hr)
Ceiling:
44,000 ft (13 400 m)
Range:
475 miles (765 km) on internal fuel
Weight (empty):
12,600 lbs (5806 kg)
Max. T/O:
21,600 lbs (9798 kg)
Wingspan:
52' 0" (15.85m)
Length:
37' 10" (11.53 m)
Height:
9' 10" (3 m)
Armament:
One 20mm cannon, four .50 machine guns, 2,000 lb of bombs, rockets
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