The Lockheed P-38 Lightning is an American single-seat, twin piston-engined fighter aircraft that was used during World War II. Developed for the United States Army Air Corps (USAAC) by the Lockheed Corporation, the P-38 incorporated a distinctive twin-boom design with a central nacelle containing the cockpit and armament.

At 17,500 pounds gross, the P-38 was the largest, heaviest, and fastest "P" type to date. An internal fuel capacity of 410 gallons could be increased to 1,010 gallons with two external drop tanks. This gave the Lightning a combat range of 450 miles, and an astonishing maximum range of 2,600 miles—making it the first long-range bomber escort.

The Lightning truly shined in the Pacific theater; seven of the top eight scoring USAAF aces in the Pacific flew the P-38. On April 18, 1943, the long range of the P-38 enabled USAAF pilots to ambush and shoot down an aircraft carrying Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto, who was the planner of the Pearl Harbor raid and the commander of the Imperial ...

Both in the Pacific and the Mediterranean, the P-38 provided long range escort for heavy bombers, long range fighter sweeps deep into hostile airspace and interdiction of surface targets.

One major complaint against P-38 fighters was the many steps that it took for the fighter to go from cruising mode to combat mode, the time of which could mean life or death when P-38 fighters were jumped by enemy fighters by surprise. The steps involved were: switch gas valves to main; turn on drop tank switches and press release

The P‑38M, known as the “Night Fighter,” (or Night Lightning) were modified P‑38Ls which were equipped with a state-of-the-art radar system, (an AN/APS-4 AI radar pod mounted under the nose on a modified bomb pylon). This model of the P‑38 was painted jet black and had flash guards on the armament to better hide in the night sky.

2025年1月31日 · The first P-38 available in quantity, the F model, equipped with self-sealing fuel tanks and armour, entered service in November 1942. The P-38J, in service by the spring of 1944, had a top speed of 414 miles (666 km) per hour and a ceiling of 44,000 feet (13,400 metres); it was armed with a 0.8-inch (20-mm) automatic cannon and four 0.50-inch ...

As the Lockheed P-38 Lightning evolved, it acquired self-sealing fuel tanks, and tail refinements for improved flight manners. Engines were routinely uprated, and the plane's under-wing-armament capability was increased.

2014年1月27日 · The P-38 was quickly nicknamed the “Fork-Tailed Devil” by the Germans due to their hindrance of German supply lines through effective tactical ground attack sorties.

2009年2月10日 · The P-38 Lightning was the first completely military air craft built by the Lockheed Aircraft Corp. It was produced in no less than 12 versions differing from each other by engine size, use, and armament. The most numerous model was the P-38L powered by the same 1,425-hp engine as the P-38H, but with improved performance ratings.