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.

In Roy Grinnell’s “Danger Lightning” a Lockheed P-38 fighter gains altitude to confront high-flying Japanese aircraft. The Lightning was the first Allied fighter to seriously challenge Japanese domination of the skies in the Pacific.

The pilot in a new American fighter, the P-38 Lightning, peeled down from the skies over Iceland on August14, 1942. True to its name, the P-38 was akin to a force of nature: fast, unforeseen and immensely powerful. The aircraft’s target, was a German Focke-Wulf …

It shot down more Japanese airplanes than any other fighter during World War II—seven of the top scoring USAAF aces in the Pacific flew the P-38. It was as versatile as the de Havilland Mosquito , but it was the only truly successful twin-engine fighter of World War II.

Dec 5, 2024 · P-38, fighter and fighter-bomber employed by the U.S. Army Air Forces during World War II. A large and powerful aircraft, it served as a bomber escort, a tactical bomber, and a photo-reconnaissance platform.

Jan 14, 2013 · The Lockheed P-38 Lightning was the first military type developed by the Lockheed Aircraft Corps. It was designed to meet an Air Corps specification issued in 1936 for a twin-engined interceptor fighter a specification which called for, among many other stringent requirements, a minimum speed of 360 m.p.h. (576 km.h.) at 20,000 ft. (6,100 m.).

When the Lightning began combat operations from England in September 1943, it was the only fighter with the range to escort bombers into Germany. The Lightning truly shined in the Pacific theater; seven of the top eight scoring USAAF aces in the Pacific flew the P-38.

US long-range fighter and fighter-bomber Lockheed P-38 Lightning. History, development, service, specifications, statistics, pictures and 3D model.

The P-38 Lightning fighters were uniquely designed by Clarence "Kelly" Johnson's design team, the "Skunk Works", at Lockheed as a response to the 1937 United States Army Air Corps request for an interceptor. The prototype flew on 27 Jan 1939 with its distinctive twin booms.

Oct 5, 2024 · The Lockheed P-38 Lightning is a World War II-era American fighter aircraft that played a significant role in the war. Designed by Clarence “Kelly” Johnson, the P-38 was the first military aircraft to use a twin-boom design, with a central nacelle containing the cockpit and armament, and two booms extending back to the tail.