Lockheed P-38 Lightning
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SYNOPSIS: The twin-boomed Lightning was a revolutionary design for a long range interceptor fighter. It served in all theaters of war, and was the main mount of many of America's top aces in the Pacific theater. Major Richard Bong scored his 40 kills flying P-38s in the Pacific. P-38s were also used in the famous mission that intercepted and shot down Japanese admiral Isoroku Yamamoto over Bougainville. The P-38's high speed and large nose section (which was a good location for recon cameras) made the plane a natural for photographic reconnaissance missions. P-38s that were used in this role were re-designated as F-4s and F-5s. For additional info on the P-38 see the links listed below.
LONG HISTORY: for a more detailed history of this aircraft, click HERE.
For more data on this aircraft, click
here for Joe Baugher's
webpage.
For info on photo F-4/5s and links to other P-38 websites, click here for the 34th PRS website.
USAF archives on this aircraft, click
here.
To see books about this aircraft on Amazon.com, click here.
Additional information on this aircraft
can be found at Wikipedia
here.
(updated February 2009)
Lockheed P-38D Lightning
Type: Fighter
Crew: 1, Pilot
Armament: one 20mm cannon, four .50 cal machine guns
Specifications:
Length: 37' 10" (11.53 m)
Height: 12' 10" (3.91 m)
Wingspan: 52' 0" (15.85 m)
Wing area: 328 sq. ft (30.47 sq. m)
Empty Weight: 11780 lbs (5342 kg)
Gross Weight: 14456 lbs (6556 kg)
Max Weight: 15500 lbs (7029 kg)
Propulsion:
No. of Engines: 2
Powerplant: Allison V-1710-27/29
Horsepower 1150 hp each
Performance:
Range: 500 miles (805 km)
Cruise Speed: 300 mph (483 km/hr)
Max Speed: 390 mph (628 km/hr)
Climb: 2500 ft/min (761.96 m/min)
Ceiling: 39000 ft (11887 m)
CLICK HERE TO SEE BOOKS ON THE P-38 ON AMAZON.COM
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