The P-38 Lightning first flew in 1939, but it was not until 1941 that the scale of production has started. If the first hypothesis USAAF delivery was lightning is the fastest fighter in the Air Corps. Over the years of production, there were built more than a dozen models. The changes have been carrying capacity, particularly in the field of armaments or higher. The P-38L was built in the model, around 3923. The final versions of the Lightning project, the F-4 aircraft and F-5 photo-reconnaissance wereAnd aircraft were used in both European and Asian theaters of war. Some have been converted into P-38Ls Pathfinder operations with the installation of radar in the nose. Includes all variants of the P-38, there were a total of 10,037 built in all. Only seven are now thought capable of flight.
The P-38 are seen many innovations in its design. It 'was the first to use a tricycle landing gear, the only mass-produced single-seat twin-engine combat aircraft in World War II, and was the firstFighter with the ability to fly over the North Atlantic for delivery in Europe with its range non-stop from the United Nations refueling 3,000 miles when using external tanks.
The P-38 was powered by two 1475hp Allison V-12 turbo. While the network was 12,800 pounds. "It could jump to 80% of its weight to 21,600 pounds. Which they were entitled to another first to be able to carry two torpedoes. With a length of 37ft 10in, was his top speed was 52 m wingspan to 25,000414 miles an hour with a maximum operating speed of 44,000 ft of growth that has exceeded all German or Japanese fighter, the Lightning the enormous advantage of always being able to fly over the enemy.
The P-38 served with distinction in all theaters of operation in the war. He was responsible for the primary duty of Commons early in the daylight bombing campaign in Europe. It 'was the primary fighter in the Mediterranean theater, where he was nicknamed "TheFork-tailed Devil "by the pilots of the Luftwaffe and performed with excellent results in the invasion of North Africa and Italy. There are also used in harsh conditions of the Aleutian Islands in Alaska against the numerically superior Japanese during the first half of the war .
However, the P-38 will be forever linked in the South Pacific. Japanese ships and planes were constantly torn under the guns of skilled American pilots. The Japanese were never able, and the offensivewere generally on their heels. The P-38 routine bombers, fighters and ships destroyed without much loss. In fact, the average kill in 10-1. For every ten confirmed kills, only a P-38 was lost from all causes (including this one down, Lost at sea and mechanical failures).
Without doubt, the P-38 runs in a position many roles with great success. No other aircraft can boast this capability. The P-51 was a better fighter air-air, but it was noteffective strikes and ground could lead to a proper education. The B-17 and B-24 were above the long-range bomber, but the P-38 was almost able to carry the same load of bombs, fighters and become as soon as possible after the bombs fell. The P-38 was modified to carry torpedoes, turned into a night fighter, was able to dive / level bomb and was the largest survey of U.S. Air Force.
The pilots of the aircraft, loved for its maneuverability,capacity at high altitudes and long flight duration, which could reach more than 11 hours with drop tanks full. One of the most famous P-38 pilot Maj. Richard Bong, who had 40 victories, the top American Ace of WWII was reached.
One of many stories is one of the Phantom of Lightning P-38. Damaged Flying Fortresses returning from bombing in the Mediterranean theater, located behind the main formations were scattered to pilot a P-38, that would be lostnext, shaking the wings and the collet bomber crew to believe that the fighters wanted to cover the refund. The bomber gunners would relax the P-38 Phantom lead to a defensive position in front of and behind the bombers, then suddenly appear and shoot the Flying Fortress. This has happened several times before he gave the command did not believe story, but then discovered that the intelligence of a lost P-38 on the Mediterranean believed he had actually donesafe an airport in Sardinia. It 'been captured the pilot, but the plan itself was by an Italian rider, who was acquired in a position to the P-38 sample and began his career as a ghost Lightning. His career ended when a heavily armored and armed stronghold was thinking that he had another easy money and when he went to his usual position of pre-attack captured the fortress opened fire and shot him. He managed to save and was saved. An interesting footnoteis that later, at the funeral of the fortress, pilots transport plane crashed during the Berlin airlift.
