P-38 Lightning

Lockheed · United States · first flew 1939 · fighter

The Lockheed P-38 Lightning is a twin-engine, twin-boom American fighter instantly recognisable by its distinctive layout, serving as a long-range escort, interceptor and reconnaissance aircraft.

Recognition (WEFT)

W — Wings	Mid-mounted, tapered
E — Engines	2 × piston, wing-mounted
F — Fuselage	11.53 m fuselage
T — Tail	Twin fin

WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.

Spot it by:

Twin-boom layout with central nacelle
Twin vertical fins joined by tailplane
Central pod for pilot and guns

Unmistakable for its twin-boom configuration with a small central nacelle carrying the pilot and guns. The two engine booms terminate in twin fins linked by a single tailplane.

Specifications

The P-38 Lightning has a length of 11.53 m (38 ft).
It has a wingspan of 15.85 m (52 ft).
Its maximum speed is 666 km/h (414 mph).
Typical crew: 1.

Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.

History

Designed by Clarence 'Kelly' Johnson, the P-38 first flew in 1939 with two turbo-supercharged Allison engines mounted in booms flanking a central crew pod. The configuration gave it heavy nose-mounted firepower and long range. America's top-scoring aces flew it in the Pacific.

Variants

Development ran through the definitive P-38J and P-38L with improved cooling and performance. The F-4 and F-5 were unarmed photo-reconnaissance conversions. A two-seat 'Droop Snoot' bombardier version was also fielded.

Where you'll see it

The P-38 served with US forces in Europe and was operated from British bases during the war. The American Air Museum at IWM Duxford documents its role in the Eighth and Ninth Air Forces. Airworthy Lightnings are rare worldwide and a highlight on the few occasions they reach UK shows.

Related aircraft

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