Lockheed P-38 Lightning

The Lockheed P‑38 Lightning, a twin‑engine, propeller‑driven fighter, entered service with the United States Army Air Forces in 1941 and became one of World II’s most recognizable aircraft. Designed by Lockheed Martin’s predecessor, the P‑38 featured a distinctive twin‑boom layout with a central nacelle housing the cockpit and armament. Its Allison V‑1710 engines, equipped with turbo‑superchargers, gave the fighter a top speed of over 400 mph and exceptional high‑altitude performance, allowing it to escort bombers deep into enemy territory. The Lightning’s concentrated firepower—four .50‑caliber machine guns and a 20 mm cannon firing through the nose—provided unparalleled accuracy. Throughout the war it excelled in diverse roles: interceptor, bomber escort, photo‑reconnaissance, and ground‑attack, earning ace pilots such as Richard Bong and Thomas McGuire. The aircraft’s innovative design influenced post‑war aeronautics, demonstrating the viability of twin‑engine fighters and paving the way for later high‑performance jets. Its legacy endures as a symbol of engineering ingenuity and tactical versatility, cementing the P‑38’s place in aviation history. More than 10,000 Lightnings were built, and the type remained in service with several air forces into the early 1950s, influencing the development of later twin‑engine combat aircraft such as the F‑4 Phantom II.

Lockheed Martin

Lockheed P-38 Lightning

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Design & Classification