The P-38 Lightning
First Built By Lockheed During WWII
This aircraft was instrumental in combat rolls against the enemy.
It was one of the fastest, rapid climbing, high altitude fighters in the U.S. airship arsenal.
The P-38 Army fighter was used for an interceptor, skip and level bomber, photo reconnaissance (known as the F-5A), tank buster and ground strafing. It was the first U.S. aircraft equipped with a tricycle landing gear and a Turbo-Supercharged Allison engine. First in the "above 400 MPH" class aircraft, guns mounted ahead of the pilot, to carry and launch torpedoes and first to tow gliders. By moving the radio equipment, it could accommodate another passenger behind the pilot. The initial P-38's were powered by two 1150 H.P. Allison engines and later by higher horsepower engines. Armament concentrated in the nose consisted of four .50 caliber machine guns and one 20 mm cannon. Its wing span of 52 feet and length of 37 ft 10 inches gave it high altitude flying ability. A fine flying machine indeed. -Using NetScape, thumbnail below will roll-
