Lockheed
P-38 Lightning
Technical Information
Background
The P-38 was a large,
twin engine fighter with a unique and twin boom design, and modern
tricycle landing gear. It was an excellent and stable gun platform.
It served in all theaters of war, and was the main mount of many
of America's top aces in the Pacific theater. Major Richard Bong
scored his 40 kills flying P-38s in the Pacific. It cost the US
government for an average P-38, manufactured in 1944 $97,147.
Its main strengths were its high speed, which
was over 50 mph faster than the Zeke.
It could not out climb the Zeke, but had excellent performance
above 20,000 feet.
F-4 and F-5 Photographic Reconnaissance
The P-38's high speed and large nose section (which was a good
location for recon cameras) made the plane a natural for photographic
reconnaissance missions. P-38s that were used in this role were
re-designated as F-4s (converted P-38E) and F-5s.
P-38 Night Fighter
Three P-38Gs were converted to night fighters by the 4th Air Depot at Townsville. They were painted black, installed radar and put blast tubes around the gun/cannon muzzles. They have radar anntenae protruding from each side of the gun bay/nose area.
