Lockheed P-38 Lightning World War II USAAF fighter

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P-38 Pat 8th FG

Lockheed F-5B Lightning named Stormy Weather, September 1944

Lockheed F-5B Lightning #358 “Stormy Weather”

Captain Frank W. Steinbach and his F-5E Lightning 40th Photo Recon Squadron, CBI

Captain Frank W. Steinbach and his F-5E Lightning “Natalie” – 40th Photo Recon Squadron, CBI

F-5C Lightning 42-67115 All On View of the 22nd Photo Recon Squadron 7th PRG

F-5C 42-67115 All On View of the 22nd Photo Recon Squadron 7th PRG

Maj Anderson of the 79th FS 20th FG with his ground crew P-38J 43-28718 code MC-A

Maj Anderson of the 79th FS 20th FG with his ground crew and P-38J 43-28718 code MC-A

P-38G Lightning 42-13437 pilot: Capt Billie Beardsley of the 51st Fighter Group 449th FS Twin Tailed Dragons

P-38G Lightning 42-13437 “The Golden Eagle”, pilot: Capt Billie Beardsley of the 51st Fighter Group 449th FS Twin Tailed Dragons

P-38J Lightning 42-67780 „Mary Rose II”, pilot: 2Lt Roy Smith of the 485th FS 370th FG at Florennes Juzaine Airfield A-78 Belgium, November 1944

P-38J 42-67780 “Mary Rose II”, pilot: 2Lt Roy Smith of the 485th FS 370th FG at Florennes Juzaine Airfield A-78 Belgium, November 1944

P-38J Lightning #72, serial 43-28266 of the 48th FS 14th Fighter Group

A Member Of the 94th Fighter Squadron 1st Fighter Group Checks Radio Equipment In A P-38 Lightning Italy

P-38 Lightning „Jinx” pilot Col Robert Richard 1st Fighter Group commander

P-38 Lightning “Jinx” pilot Col Robert Richard 1st FG commander

P-38J Lightning 42-104067 code LC-V, pilot: Lt Irwin Fernandes of the 77th FS 20th Fighter Group with his ground crew

P-38J Lightning 42-104067 code LC-V Lt Irwin Fernandes of the 77th FS 20th Fighter Group with his ground crew

P-38 Lightning Iceland 1942

P-38E Lightning serial 41-2227 of the 54th FS 343rd Fighter Group Alaska

P-38E Lightning #91, serial 41-2227 of the 54th FS 343rd Fighter Group, Alaska

Lockheed P-38L Lightning 44-25022 „Tail End Charlie” of the 96th FS 82nd Fighter Group

Lockheed P-38L Lightning s/n 44-25022 “Tail End Charlie” of the 96th FS 82nd Fighter Group

P-38L Lightning of the 433rd FS 475th Fighter Group, Lingayen 28 August 1945

P-38J Lightning s/n 44-23677 pilot Maj Robert Rogers

P-38J Lightning s/n 44-23677 “Little Buckaroo” code H5-A, pilot: Maj Robert Rogers 392nd Fighter Squadron 367th FG

P-38 Lightnings of the 9th Fighter Squadron flight line at Dobodura May 1943

German Soldiers View Downed USAAF P-38 Lightning in Tunisia

P- 38 Lightnings on Captured Lingayen Airstrip on Luzon 1945

P- 38 Lightning #139 on Captured Lingayen Airstrip on Luzon 1945. 431st FS 475th Fighter Group.

P-38J-15-LO Lightning s/n 43-28801 from 94th FS 1st Fighter Group

P-38J-15-LO Lightning #82, s/n 43-28801 from 94th FS 1st Fighter Group

P-38 Lightning #131 “Pudgy” pilot Thomas McGuire from 431st FS, 475th Fighter Group

Ace Charles MacDonald’s P-38 Lightning 44-25471 Putt Putt Maru, 475th Fighter Group

P-38 Lightning named T-Rigor Mortis II, #134, of the 431st FS, 475th Fighter Group Pacific

P-38J Lightning s/n 42-67412 code N2-X „The Rebel Kids”, pilot Lt Marvin Glascow of the 383rd FS 364th Fighter Group with his ground crew

P-38J Lightning 42-67412 code N2-X, named “The Rebel Kids”, pilot: Lt Marvin Glascow of the 383rd FS 364th FG with his ground crew

P-38 and F-5 Lightning Maintenance Burtonwood England

P-38 and F-5 Lightnings Maintenance Burtonwood England

P-38F Lightning pilot Capt Charles Gallup

P-38F Lightning #11 s/n 42-12627, of the 39th FS 35th FG, pilot Capt Charles Gallup

P-38J Lightning 43-28700 Tacoman pilot Capt Joseph Dobrowlski of the 393rd FS 367th Fighter Group

1Lt Russell Bebout of the 79th FS 20th Fighter Group with his ground crew P-38J „Betsy VI” code MC-Y

1Lt Russell Bebout of the 79th FS 20th Fighter Group with his ground crew P-38J Lightning “Betsy VI” code MC-Y

P-38J 44-23525 “Maggie 2”, pilot Capt Eugene Hinkley 394th FS 367th Fighter Group with the ground crew at Clastres airfield A-71 France, 12 October 1944

P-38J Lightning serial 42-67449 of the 367th Fighter Group

P-38J Lightning serial 42-67449 “Miss Mass” of the 367th Fighter Group

Lightning 44-24047 27th FS 1st Fighter Group, Corsica

1Lt John Roehm of the 44th FS “Vampires” 18th Fighter Group and his P-38, Guadalcanal

P-38F Lightning 42-12596 of the 50th FS 342nd Composite Group Reyjkavik Iceland

Medal of Honor Pilot Richard Bong by P-38J-15- LO Lightning 42-103993 named Marge

P-38L Lightning 131 s/n 44-24155 “Pudgy V”. pilot Maj Thomas McGuire 431st FS 475th FG, Luzon

P-38G Lightning pilot Capt Lloyd DeMoss of the 49th FS 14th Fighter Group

P-38G “Gentleman – Bad Penny”, pilot: Capt Lloyd DeMoss of the 49th FS, 14th FG

Early P-38 Lightning 1942

USAAF fighter pilots inspect a newly arrived P-38F Lightning #13, 39th FS 5th AF Australia 1942

P-38J Lightning code H5-F, pilot 1Lt Pius Kunz from 392nd FS 367th Fighter Group nose art “Napoleons Delight Nin”

Capt Millard and Capt Hustoad by Nose Art on Lockheed P-38E 343rd Fighter Group 54th FS 1943

Lockheed P-38 Lightning “Carol Anne” 94th FS 1st Fighter Group Italy

P-38J Lightning with D-Day stripes, serial 42 68071 of the 392nd FS 367th Fighter Group sits on the newly constructed advanced landing strip in Normandy

P-38 Lightning, pilot 1Lt Stanley Lau of the 27th FS 1st Fighter Group

P-38G Lightning #75 “Earthquake McGoon”, pilot Lt Richard Campbell 37th FS, 14th Fighter Group

5 January 1945 1Lt Fred Eberle P-38 Lightning named “Ripper” of the 333rd FS 318th Fighter Group

P-38 Lightning Maintenance Burtonwood England rear

P-38 Lightning #16 from 39th FS, Australia 1942

Early P-38 Lightning formation 1941

P-38G Lightning 43-2530 96th FS 82nd Fighter Group, May 1943

1lt James Mason 393rd FS 367th Fighter Group with his ground crew and P-38J Lightning 42-68059 “Big Jim”

A 500 lb Bomb Is Attached Under the Wing Of A P-38 Lightning By Members Of the 94th Fighter Squadron 1st FG Italy

P-38J Lightning 370th FG during their stay at Florennes Juzaine Airfield A 78 Belgium

P-38J Lightning code 7F-M of the 485th FS 370th FG during their stay at Florennes Juzaine Airfield A 78 Belgium

Burning P-38 Lightning after Head On Crash on Leyte

P-38J Lightning s/n 42-104200 “The Gremlin”, pilot: 2Lt Melvin Jones of the 393rd FS 367th Fighter Group

P-38J Lightning 43-28650 of the 27th FS 1st FG

Lightning 43-28650 “Sweet Sue” of the 27th FS 1st FG in flight, Italy

P-38 Lightning of the 94th FS 1st FG Africa

Capt Roy Scrutchfield of the 55th Fighter Squadron, 20th FG with his ground crew and P-38J Lightning 43-28430 coded KI-N

Armorers loading ammunition into a P-38 Lightning Of the 94th Fighter Squadron 1st Fighter Group Italy

P-38E Lightning serial 41-2239 of the 54th FS 343rd FG, Alaska

LtCol William Stratton 1st FG Operations staff atop his P-38 Lightning named “Maribelle”

P-38 Lightning undergoing ground service North Africa

P-38 undergoing ground service North Africa

P-38 Lightning 43-2136 of the 27th FS “Black Falcons”, 1st FG

Lightning 42-66718 code CY-T, from the 343rd Fighter Squadron 55th Fighter Group 8th Air Force

P-38L Lightning code F5-W of the 428th FS 474th Fighter Group

P-38J Lightning 42-67799 of the 429th FS, 474th Fighter Group code 7Y-P

P-38 Lightnings Of the 15th Air Force In Formation Over Yugoslavia

P-38 Lightning code H5-Q of 392nd Fighter Squadron 367th FG and Schwimmagen France 1944 – color photo

A Pilot Of the 94th Fighter Squadron 1st Fighter Group P-38 Lightning Italy

A Pilot Of the 94th Fighter Squadron 1st Fighter Group and P-38 Lightning Italy

Ace Pilot Richard Bong in his P-38 in New Guinea 1944

P-38 Lightning Maintenance Burtonwood England cockpit

P-38J Lightning #48, s/n 43-28777 from 71st Fighter Squadron, 1st FG

P-38 Lightning assembly at Maison Blanch Algeria 31 March 1944

P-38 assembly at Maison Blanch Algeria 31 March 1944

F-5 #71 of 90th Photographic Reconnaissance Wing North Africa

P-38J Lightning 44-23628 “Hey Stuff” code 4N-L, pilot 1Lt Estabrook of the 394th Fighter Squadron 367th Fighter Group

P-38L Lightning #88 of the 94th FS 1st Fighter Group twin 8 balls

Lightning “Spud” of the 96th FS 82nd Fighter Group, 18 June 1943

P-38J Lightning of the 434th FS 479th Fighter Group

Crashed P-38J Lightning 42-67987 N2-P from the 383rd FS 364th Fighter Group 8th AF

P-38J Lightning s/n 42-67987, code N2-P from the 383rd FS 364th Fighter Group 8th AF

Refueling a photo reconnaissance F-5 Burma

P-38J 44-23577 „Omar” pilot Capt Owen Hansen of the 392nd FS 367th Fighter Group with his ground crew Juvincourt airfield A-68 France

P-38J s/n 44-23577 “Omar” pilot Capt Owen Hansen of the 392nd FS 367th Fighter Group with his ground crew Juvincourt airfield A-68 France

P-38H 42-66717 Lightning of the 449th FS 51st Fighter Group, Kunming China

F-5 Recon Lightning by Ambulance on Airfield

Lockheed P-38 Lightning named “Georgia Peach II” In Flight Over Panama

M6 Bomb Service Truck, Chittagong Air Base, India

Workers Building P-38 Lightnings at Night at Lockheed Plant Burbank 1941

P-38 Lightning “FILLY FROM PHILLY IV” code LC-R 20th Fighter Group, 77th FS

P-38 Lightning Dobodura New Guinea 5 April 1943

Lightning “Elsie” of the 9th Fighter Squadron, 49th Fighter Group Dobodura New Guinea

1Lt Robert Miles of the 55th FS 20th Fighter Group with his ground crew and P-38J Lightning 42-68010 code KI K

P-38H Lightning s/n 42-6702,6 pilot: Chester Patterson of the 338th FS 55th Fighter Group, code CL-P

P-38 Lightning Maintenance Burtonwood England 4

P-38J-10-LO Lightning 42-67842 with bazooka rocket tubes squadron number 4 of the 459th Fighter Squadron 2

Lockheed F-5C 42-67254 from 35th PRS New Guinea 1944

F-5C 42-67254 from 35th PRS New Guinea, March 1944

P-38J Lightning 44-23578 “Philbert 3”, pilot Maj Charles Matheson commander of the 394th FS 367th FG

P-38 Lightning Napalm Bombing Near Ipo Dam Luzon Philippine

P-38J Lightning 42-67962 „Bambi”, pilot Capt John Odegard of the 338th FD 55th Fighter Group

P-38J Lightning s/n 42-67962 “Bambi”, pilot Capt John Odegard of the 338th FD 55th Fighter Group 1944

P-38L Lightning #40 44-25734 „Betts II” of the 71st FS 1st Fighter Group, Lesina Italy

P-38L Lightning #40, s/n 44-25734 “Betts II” of the 71st FS 1st Fighter Group, Lesina Italy

P-38G Lightning 43-2427 of the 71st FS 1st Fighter Group

Capt John Robinson at the photo machine used on his F-4 the camera is a 24 in Fairchild

A Pilot Of the 94th Fighter Squadron 1st Fighter Group Climbs Into the Cockpit Of His P-38 Lightning Italy

P-38J Lightning 42-68015 code MC-J, pilot Lt Harold Binkley of the 79th FS 20th Fighter Group with his ground crew

Lightning serial 41-2232 of the 54th FS 343rd Fighter Group Alaska

P-38 Lightning Salvage Depot Clark Field Luzon Philippine Islands 25 June 1945

F-5 Lightning “Rose Marie Timber” Of the 90th Photo Reconn Wing Italy

Pilot And His Ground Crew Of the 94th FS 1st FG Lockheed P-38 Lightning Italy

Line of Lockheed P-38 Lightnings in Italy 1944

P-38 Lightning “AO” from 95th FS 82nd Fighter Group Parked on Airfield

P-38 Lightning Maintenance Burtonwood England 2

Pilot Richard Bong Posed in P-38 Lightning s/n 42-104380 „Marge”

Pilot Richard Bong Posed in P-38 Lightning 42-104380

P-38 Lightning landing in Algeria

Droop Snoot P-38J Lightning code KI-C of the 402nd FS 370th Fighter Group, Luxemburg April 1945

Droop Snoot P-38J code KI-C of the 402nd FS 370th Fighter Group, Luxemburg April 1945

P-38 Lightning and pilot Lt Anthony Evans 49th FS 14th FFighter Group

P-38J Lightning 44-23191 94th Fighter Squadron, 1st Fighter Group

P-38J Lightning 44-23191 94th FS 1st Fighter Group

Lockheed P-38F Lightning engine Africa

P-38J Lightning „Patty Anne” pilot Charles Croker of the 394th FS 367th Fighter Group

P-38J Lightning “Patty Anne” pilot Charles Croker of the 394th Fighter Squadron, 367th Fighter Group

F-5 Recon Lightning named “MISS DIANA LU” of the 41st PRS. Guam 1945

P-38J-10-LO Lightning 42-67842 with bazooka rocket tubes of the 459th Fighter Squadron, pilot Major Willard Webb

P-38 Lightning of the 435th FS 479th Fighter Group rear view

P-38 of the 435th FS 479th Fighter Group rear view

Lightning 42-13010 of the 94th Fighter Squadron 1st FG

P-38J Lightning 42-67795 of the 44th Fighter Squadron on Guadalcanal in early 1944

P-38 Lightning #18 from 39th FS 35th Fighter Group at Schwimmer Air Base Port Moresby 1943

P-38 Lightning of the 459th Fighter Group

P-38 Lightning “MELBA LOU IV” of the 459th Fighter Group

Soldiers Working on P-38 Lightning in Hanger in Australia 1942

P-38 Lightning with bombadier nose

P-38F Lightning #16 s/n 42-12623 from 5th Air Force 35th FG 39th Fighter Squadron at 14 Mile Drome 1943

Capt Morgan Giffin commander 54th Fighter Squadronwith his P-38 Lightning #90

P-38 Lightning Maintenance Burtonwood England engine 2

F-5A Lightning 42-12778 with K-24 camera

F-5A Lightning s/n 42-12778 with K-24 camera named “Dim View”, pilot Lt Walter Shade of the 13th PRS 7th PRG

P-38J Lightning 42-67811 code CG-H of the 38th FS 55th Fighter Group

P-38J Droop Snoot of the 401st FS 370th Fighter Group

P-38 Lightning Dossie England

early model P-38 Lightning of the 55th FS 20th Fighter Group

Lockheed P-38 Lightning – F-5A Reconnaissance variant in Haze Paint

Lockheed P-38 Lightning Flies Over A Coast Line Near Ostend Belgium May 1945

Lockheed P-38 Flies Over A Coast Line Near Ostend Belgium May 1945

P-38 Lightning Photo Ship Showing Complete K-22 Aerial Camera Installation And Intervalometer Italy

F-5C-1-LO in flight 42-67543

P-38 Lightning Photo Plane Showing K-22 Aerial Camera

Lt General Doolittle in Lockheed P-38 Lightning Just Before He Takes Off On A Short Flight, 23 March 1944

Ground crew member working on a P-38 pilot 2Lt Ward Kuentzel of the 96th FS 82nd FG

Ground crew member working on a P-38 Lightning pilot 2Lt Ward Kuentzel of the 96th FS 82nd Fighter Group

Lt Paul Fisher of the 38th Fighter Squadron 55th Fighter Group checks battle damage to his P-38 1944

Lt Paul Fisher of the 38th Fighter Squadron 55th Fighter Group checks battle damage to his P-38 Lightning 1944

H2X Mickey Operator Of Lockheed P-38 Droop Snoot Literally Crawls Into the AN/APS-15 Components

P-38 Bomb Loading England 8th AF

Lt OBannon a Lockheed P-38 Reconnaissance Pilot Mount Farm England 7th Photo Group 1 July 1943

Lt OBannon a Lockheed P-38 Lightning Reconnaissance Pilot, Mount Farm England 7th Photo Group 1 July 1943

F-5E Lightning 44-23271 pilot 1Lt Charles Lambert of the 9th Photo Recon Squadron Burma

F-5E Lightning s/n 44-23271 pilot 1Lt Charles Lambert of the 9th Photo Recon Squadron Burma

Steam Cleaning A Lockheed P-38 Lightning 27th Air Depot Group Port Moresby Papua New Guinea

P-38 Lightning “PEGGYS PEGASUS”

F-5E Lightning of the 3rd Photo Recon Group at Florence Italy

F-5E of the 3rd Photo Recon Group at Florence Italy

Capt Merle Nichols of the 79th FS 20th Fighter Group with his ground crew and P-38J 42-67515 coded MC-N

Capt Merle Nichols of the 79th FS 20th FG with his ground crew and P-38J 42-67515 coded MC-N

P-38 Lightning Frames Aviation Cadets on Graduation Day at Moore Field

P-38 Lightning on Lockheed Assembly Line Burbank 1942

LtCol Leon Gray 3rd Photo Recon Group

P-38 640 Armorers loading ammunition

Lockheed P-38L-1-LO Lightning 44-24217 from 27th FS 1st FG

Lockheed P-38L-1-LO Lightning 44-24217 from 27th FS 1st Fighter Group

P-38J Lightning 42-68017 code N2-D, pilot Capt George Ceuleers of the 383rd FS 364th Fighter Group

Richard Bong and P-38 Lightning Marge

Assembly of P-38J Lightning 42-104252 at Maison Blanch Algeria March 1944

Assembly of Lightning 42-104252 at Maison Blanch Algeria, 31 March 1944

Early P-38 Lightning England

P-38 Lightning pilot LtCol Lambert

P-38 Lightning Maintenance Burtonwood England 3

P-38 Lightning Maintenance Burtonwood England engine

F-5B 28th PRS with modified 310 drop tanks for high speed Medevac ops

F-5B Lightning 28th PRS with modified 310 drop tanks for high speed Medevac ops

ground crewmen service a P-38 Lightning #74 of the 39th FS 35th Fighter Group, 28 February 1943

Pilot Richard Bong and Wife in His P-38 Lightning 1944

P-38 Lightning Maintenance Burtonwood England rear 2

Lightning “Dot Dash” serial 42-67128 Russia 1944

Pilot Lt Faurot Climbs into P-38 Lightning 39th Squadron 35th Fighter Group New Guinea 1943

Ground crew members working on a P-38 Lightning England

Lt James Hagenback of the 94th, FS 1st Fighter Group with his P-38 Bat Out Of Hell

Lt James Hagenback of the 94th, FS 1st FG with his P-38 “Bat Out Of Hell”

Pilot Lt Ford of the 36th FS 8th Fighter Group miraculously walks away from the crash landing of his P-38L Lightning, 20 December 1944

P-38 Lightning “Situation Normal” pilot 1Lt Ray Evans 393rd FS 367th FG at Clastres airfield A-71 France 7 October 1944

P-38J Lightning 43-28650 5 of the 27th FS 1st Fighter Group

Lightning 43-28650 #5 named “Sweet Sue” of the 27th FS 1st Fighter Group, Italy

P-38J Lightning 42-68176 “Sky Cowboy” code LC-I, pilot Lt Walker Whiteside of the 77th FS 20th Fighter Group with his ground crew

P-38G Lightning 42-13173 „Sweet Pea” of the 97th FS 82nd Fighter Group

P-38G Lightning s/n 42-13173 “Sweet Pea” of the 97th FS 82nd Fighter Group

F-5 photo recon airplane “Thats My Pop” Guam

16mm Gun Sight Aiming Point Camera On the Bomb Rack Of the Lockheed P-38

P-38G Lightning 42-13036 of the 95th FS 82nd Fighter Group, North Africa

Lightning 42-12942 Africa 1943

F-5 Lightning Refueling China

P-38 Lightning code 5Y+F of the 384ht Fighter Squadron 364 Fighter Group

P-38J Lightning 42-67980, code 5Y+F of the 384th Fighter Squadron, 364ht Fighter Group, Honington, 30 May 1944

P-38 Lightning Guadalcanal 12 Fighter Squadron

photo reconnaissance version of Lockheed P-38, #270 and USAAF ground crew

photo reconnaissance version of Lockheed P-38 Lightning , 270, and USAAF ground crew

Lockheed P-38M night fighter, s/n 44-26865

F-5E Lightning in India

F-5 photo reconnaissance version P-38 on Sand Airstrip Pacific

F-5 photo reconnaissance version of P-38 on Sand Airstrip Pacific

P-38F Lightning pilot Lt Don Kienholz 1st FG

P-38F Lightning pilot Lt Don Kienholz 1st Fighter Group

P-38L Lightning, pilot Capt Watson 1st Fighter Group, 83

P-38L Lightning pilot 2Lt Jim Hunt 27th FS Maloneys Pony nose art

P-38L Lightning, pilot 2Lt Jim Hunt 27th Fighter Squadron, Maloneys Pony nose art

P-38 Leyte Philippines 8th Photo Recon Squadron

P-38 Lightning Fighters Barged ashore at Manila Docks 8 May 1945

Lockheed P-38 in flight

82nd Fighter Group Aces By P-38G Lightning

P-38L Lightning, pilot Capt Watson 1st Fighter Group, USAAF crew

Lockheed P-38J Droop Snoot England ETO

P-38 LIGHTING LANDING GUADALCANAL

Lockheed F-5F pilot Lt Monroe 1944, nose art: Jeannie The Farmer’s Daughter

P-38 Lightning carried by two DUKW’s, # 0751

Lockheed P-38H Lightning 1st FG hit on tail by Bf109

Lockheed P-38H Lightning 1st Fighter Group hit on tail by Bf109

Lockheed P-38 Lightning nose art HOME SICK

P-38 Crash Landed American Flag Nose Art Pacific

P-38 Lightning Crash Landed American Flag Nose Art Pacific

Lockheed P-38H-5-LO Lightning 42-67020

Lockheed P-38 Nose Art Little ‘t’ III

P-38L Lightning Rough and Dirty 18th FG 70th FS Pihilippines 1945 Nose Art 100

P-38L Lightning Rough and Dirty nose art, 18th Fighter Group, 70th Fighter Squadron, Pihilippines 1945, # 100

Lockheed P-38 lightning cockpit 2

Lockheed P-38 Lightning, # 30 PTO

P-38 Lightning of 8th AF wreckage

P-38L Lightning, pilot Capt Watson 1st Fighter Group

F-5E Lightning training in the USA, # 597

F-5B Recon Plane on Airfield

P-38L Lightning Hawkeye Hattie II 18th FG Nose Art 411

P-38L Lightning, Nose Art Hawkeye Hattie II, 18th Fighter Group, # 411

Lockheed F-5B Lightning Nose Art “Little Lorraine”, 248

Lockheed P-38M Lightning Night Fighter 7234

Lockheed P-38M Lightning Night Fighter with AN/APS-4 radar, 7234

Lockheed P-38 “The Gremlin”

P-38 Lightning Capt Robert Achenbrener and Capt. William Drier 49th FG 1944 Pacific

P-38 Lightning, Capt Robert Achenbrener and Capt. William Drier, 49th Fighter Group 1944 Pacific

P-38 Lightning fighter, # 82, Pacific PTO

Pilots posed by P-38 of 475th FG with 3 Japanese Kills Recorded

Pilots posed by P-38 of 475th Fighter Group, with 3 Japanese Kills Recorded

P-38J Lightning VIRGINIA MARIE 42-104308 194

Lockheed P-38J-15-LO Lightning, pilot 1st Lt.Carrol J.Anderson, VIRGINIA MARIE, 42-104308, # 194, 433rd FS, 475th FG, 1944 Pacific

Lockheed P-38 parked Pacific

P-38L Lightnings at Hill Airdrome Mindoro Philippines 1944 475th Fighter Group

8th Photo Recon Squadron F-5 Leyte Philippines 2

Lockheed P-38H Lightning 49th FG Nose Art Beautiful Lass 99

Lockheed P-38H Lightning 49th Fighter Group, Nose Art Beautiful Lass, #99

Lockheed P-38G, #21

Lockheed F-5 Philippines, 248

Lockheed P-38L Gung Ho, pilot Lt Col Chickering, 367th Fighter Group, Belgium January 1945

Lightning 44-23315

P-38J 15 Lightning 12 FS Guadalcanal 42-104295

P-38J-15 Lightning, 12 Fighter Squadron Guadalcanal 42-104295, #202

Lockheed P-38 nose art

Lockheed F-5 D-Day stripes

P-38L Lightning pilot Lt Col Ashkins 1st FG Peggy Jane Nose Art Italy 1945

P-38L Lightning 347th FG 67 FS Franny pilot Lt Gray Philippines 1945

P-38L Lightning, 347th Fighter Group 67 Fighter Squadron, “Franny” pilot Lt Gray Philippines 1945

Lockheed F-5 D-Day 1944

Early P-38 Lightning in flight

Lockheed P-38J-15-LO Lightning “Jandina IV” flown by Ace Major Jay T. Robbins 43-28832

Lockheed P-38J, pilot Capt Ed McGough 474th Fighter Group

Lockheed P-38L Lightnings of 67th FS in flight during World War II

Lockheed P-38L Lightnings of 67th Fighter Squadron in flight during World War II

P-38 Lightning Jandina IV flown by Ace Major Jay T. Robbins

F-5B Lightning Watchfull Wally of 27th Photo Reconnaissance Squadron

Lockheed F-5B Lightning

P-38L-5-LO Nose Art “Putt Putt Maru”, #100 s/n 44-25643, pilot Col Charles H. MacDonald, 475th Fighter Group

Lockheed P-38 Lightning takes off Pacific

F-5B Lightning 27th PRS Full D-Day Stripes

F-5B Lightning of 27th Photo Reconnaissance Squadron, full D-Day Stripes 1944

Lockheed P-38 Lightning 9 Gracie 2

P-38L Lightning pilot 1Lt Ray Sofaly 67th FS 2 Kills Signed

P-38L Lightning pilot 1Lt Ray Sofaly 67th Fighter Squadron, 2 Kills Signed

Lockheed F-5B photo reconnaissance version of the Lockheed P-38 Lightning

Lockheed P-38J-25 Just Lazy 44-23657 ETO

Lockheed P-38J-25 Just Lazy 44-23657 Europe

Lockheed P-38H

P-38J tail 55th FG 343FS England 1944 Under Repair

P-38J tail, 55th Fighter Group 343 Fighter Squadron, England 1944 Under Repair

F-5E Lucivious Lady nose art 9th Air Force

British Soldiers Checking Out Cockpit P-38

P-38L Lightning Capt Salling and Lt Baer 347th FG 67th FS

P-38L Lightning, Capt Salling and Lt Baer 347th Fighter Group 67th Fighter Squadron

F-5E Lightnings Photograph Isley Field Saipan 1945

F-5E Lightnings Line Isley Field Saipan 1945

P-38L Lightning Capt Watson 1st FG 3

Lockheed P-38 Lightning in flight 2

8th Photo Squadron F-5 Lightning Maintenance

P-38L Lightning PUDGY V with 38 kill markings

P-38L-1-LO Lightning “PUDGY V” with 38 kill markings. Pilot Maj Thomas McGuire, 431st Fighter Squadron, 475th Fighter Group, 5th AF, USAAF, Philippines 1944.

P-38 Lightning “Putt Putt Maru” With 24 Kill Markings. #100 s/n 44-25643, pilot Col Charles H. MacDonald, 475th Fighter Group.

P-38 Lightning Fighters Barged ashore at Manila Docks 8 May 1945

P-38L Lightning Capt Watson 1st FG 5

F-5G Lightning 41st Photo Reconnaissance Squadron 44-26434

P-38L Lightning Capt Summer 475th FG 143

P-38L Lightning, pilot Capt Summer 475th Fighter Group, # 143

P-38 Lightning Nose Art PUDGY V pilot Thomas McGuire

P-38L Lightning Nose Art “PUDGY V” pilot Thomas McGuire. 431st Fighter Squadron, 475th Fighter Group, 5th AF, USAAF, Philippines 1944

Lockheed P-38 Lightning Crash

P 38J Lightning 44-23511 code H5-U Lt Fincher 367th FG Arkansas Traveler Nose Art

P-38J Lightning, pilot Lt James Fincher 367th Fighter Group 392nd Fighter Squadron.”Arkansas Traveler” Nose Art. Clastres airfield (A-71) France 12 October 1944.

Clertrac Aircraft Tug Tows P-38 Lightning at Manila Docks 1945

P-38F Lightning Capt Newbury and Crew 1st FG Nose Art

P-38F Lightning, pilot Capt Newbury and ground crew 1st Fighter Group, 27th Fighter Squadron . “Dear John” Nose Art

Lockheed P-38J Lightning 1st FG Nose Art

Lockheed P-38J Lightning 1st Fighter Group Nose Art

Pilot by Cockpit of His P-38 Fighter Plane

P-38 Lightning 49th Fighter Group 24 Kills ace Lt Col Gerald Johnson 1944

P-38 Lightning, of the 49th Fighter Group, 24 Kills ace Lt Col Gerald Johnson 1944

P-38 Lightning Jandine IV, ace Major Jay T. Robbins

Lockheed F-5 reconnaissance aircraft frontal view

P-38 1944 Italy 42-104076 14th FG 48th FS

Lockheed P-38J-15-LO Lightning, 1944 Italy, 42-104076 14th Fighter Group 48th Fighter Squadron

Lockheed P-38H Lightning

Lockheed F-5B 42-66258

Lockheed P-38J-15 Lightning “Grizelda”

P-38L Lightning Capt Watson 1st FG 2

Lockheed P-38 Lightning 9 Gracie

P-38L Lightning 1st FG with rockets 16

Lockheed P-38J “Bar Fly” nose art

P-38 “Bat Out of Hell” of the 94th FS, 1st FG flown by Lt James Hagenback

P-38 Lightning Orlando AAB Florida 1943

P-38L 100 Putt Putt Maru pilot Charles MacDonald

P-38L Lightning, #100 Putt Putt Maru, 44-25643, pilot Col Charles H. MacDonald, 475th Fighter Group

P-38 Lightning 455th BG Italy 1944

The cockpit interior of a Lockheed P-38 Lightning

Lockheed P-38H and F-4A

F-5 8th Photo Squadron Leyte Philippines Little Lorraine

F-5 of the 8th Photo Squadron Leyte Philippines “Little Lorraine”

8th Photo Recon Squadron F-5 Line Clark Field Luzon

Lockheed P-38J 10 42-68161

P-38F Lightning Capt Charlie Sullivan 39th FS New Guinea 1943

P-38F Lightning pilot Capt Charlie Sullivan, 39th Fighter Squadron, New Guinea 1943

8th Photo Recon Squadron F-5 Leyte Philippines

Lockheed P-38 Droop Snoot Europe

P-38J Lightning Capt Lindol Graham 20th FG 79 FS Nose Art Susie at Kings Cliffe England February 1944

P-38J Lightning, pilot Capt Lindol Graham, 20th Fighter Group 79 Fighter Squadron, Nose Art “Susie” at Kings Cliffe England February 1944

P-38 Lightning Guadalcanal 12th Fighter Squadron, #200

P-38 Lightning Sentimental Traveler

F-5G Photo Recon Lightning Europe

Lockheed F-5 pilot 37th Photo reconnaissance Squadron 15AF

49th FG P-38 Lightning pilot

P-38J 20 Lightning #420 18th FG, 77th FS Nose Art Philippines 1945

P-38J-20 Lightning, 420, 18th Fighter Group 77th Fighter Squadron, Nose Art Philippines 1945

Lockheed P-38 Lightning Tail Art Photo

Lockheed P-38 Lightning in flight during World War II

Lockheed P-38 Tail Insignia 8th Photo

Lockheed F-5 Lightning 27th PRS D-Day Stripes

Lockheed F-5 Lightning of the 27th Photo Reconnaissance Squadron D-Day Stripes

P-38L PUDGY IV 131 pilot Maj Thomas McGuire 475 FG

P-38L PUDGY IV, 131, pilot Maj Thomas McGuire 475 Fighter Group

P-38J-15 44-23139 Pathfinder with AN/APS-15 radar.

P-38L Lightning Capt Watson 1st FG and Jeep

Lockheed F-5 Lightning “Double Take” South Pacific

P-38J Lightnings 1st FG Formation 42-104428

Lockheed P-38J Droop Snoot

Lockheed P-38 “T” of the 8th Fighter Group and USAAF ground crew

P-38L Lightning 18th Fighter Group Engine Change

P-38 Lightning on Guadalcanal 1943 Shark Mouth, #33

P-38L Lightning Capt Watson and crew 1st FG

P-38 Lightning Nose Art Charlcie Jeanne Pilot Lt. James Watkins

P-38E Lightning Nose Art 41 2221 Aleutian Islands Alaska

Lockheed P-38 Lightning training in the USA

P-38G Lightning Nose Art Lt Seidman 14th FG

P-38G Lightning Nose Art, pilot Lt Seidman 14th Fighter Group

F-5E Lightning 27th Photo Reconnaissance Squadron

F-5E Recon Plane “RUNAWAY” Pacific

P-38L Lightning 18th Fighter Group in combat

Lockheed P-38 “Q” of the 8th Fighter Group and USAAF ground crew

The twin-engine, twinboom Lockheed P-38 Lightning was designed to meet a 1937 requirement for a high-altitude interceptor. Lightning was used in a number of roles, including dive bombing, level bombing, ground-attack, night fighting, photoreconnaissance missions, and extensively as a long-range escort fighter.
Total production: 10037.

General Specifications

Type: Twin-engined, single-seat fighter or fighter-bomber.

Wings

Configuration: Mid-wing cantilever monoplane with a taper in chord and thickness, featuring a dihedral angle of 5°40′.
Construction: All-metal, primarily 24ST Alclad. Comprises a main box spar, front and rear shear members, and fuel cell compartments. Includes all-metal hydraulically-operated Fowler-type trailing-edge flaps, and electrically-operated dive flaps.

Nacelle

Construction: All-metal structure built of bulkheads with flush-riveted smooth metal skin.

Tail Booms

Structure: Semi-monocoque, built from bulkheads and rolled sheet covering, reinforced internally. Houses turbo-superchargers, main landing gear units, and coolant radiators.

Tail Unit

Configuration: Monoplane type with fins and rudders at the extremities of tail booms and a single-piece tailplane and elevator between the booms.
Construction: Mainly aluminum-alloy with statically balanced control surfaces and trim-tabs.

Landing Gear

Type: Retractable tricycle type with hydraulic retraction. Main wheels retract into tail booms, and nose wheel retracts into the central nacelle.

Power Plant

Engines: Two 1,520 h.p. Allison V-1710 twelve-cylinder Vee liquid-cooled engines.
Propellers: Oppositely-rotating Curtiss Electric constant-speed full-feathering airscrews.
Supercharging: General Electric turbo-superchargers, with intercoolers and controlled air ducting for cooling and induction.

Fuel and Oil Systems

Fuel: Separate systems for each engine, with self-sealing tanks in the wings and center-section, and options for droppable fuel tanks.
Oil: Each engine nacelle contains an oil tank with dual oil coolers and a thermostatically-controlled temperature regulator.

Accommodation

Cockpit: Located in the central nacelle over the leading edge of the wing. Equipped with bullet-proof glass, armor plating, oxygen equipment, and provisions for emergency exit.

Armament

Guns: One 20 mm cannon and four 0.50 cal machine-guns mounted in the nose of the central nacelle.
Bombs/Other: Racks under the center-section for bombs (up to 1,600 lbs), drop tanks, or chemical tanks. In the reconnaissance variant (F-5), the armament is replaced with cameras.

Dimensions

Span: 52 ft. (15.86 m)
Length: 37 ft. 10 in. (11.53 m)
Height: 12 ft. 10 in. (3.9 m)
Wing Area: 327.5 sq. ft. (30.4 sq. m)

Weights

Empty Weight: 12,700 lbs. (5,766 kg)
Normal Loaded Weight: 15,341 lbs. (6,865 kg)
Maximum Loaded Weight: 18,000 lbs. (8,172 kg)

Performance

Maximum Speed: Over 414 mph (662 km/h) at 25,000 ft (7,625 m)
Service Ceiling: Over 35,000 ft (10,680 m)
Range (without drop tanks): 460 miles (736 km)

This aircraft’s design includes advanced features for its time, such as all-metal construction, turbo-supercharging, and versatile armament, making it capable of performing in various combat roles including fighter and bomber missions.

Bibliography

Bert Kinzey: P-38 Lightning in detail & scale, Part 1 XP-38 through P-38H, D&S Vol. 57 – Squadron/Signal Publications
Bert Kinzey: P-38 Lightning in detail & scale, Part 2 P-38J through P-38M, D&S Vol. 58 – Squadron/Signal Publications
Lockheed P-38 Lightning, Famous Airplanes of the World 30 (japanese)
John Stanaway: P-38 Lightning Aces of the ETO/MTO – Osprey Aircraft of the Aces 19
Steve Blake: P-38 Lightning Aces of the 82nd Fighter Group – Osprey Aircraft of the Aces 108
John Stanaway: P-38 Lightning Aces 1942-43 – Osprey Aircraft of the Aces 120
John Stanaway: P-38 Lightning Aces of the Pacific and CBI – Aircraft of the Aces 14
Frederick A. Johnsen: Lockheed P-38 Lightning, Warbird Tech Volume 2
Donald Nijboer: P-38 Lightning vs Ki-61 Tony – New Guinea 1943-44 Osprey Duel 26
Ernest R. McDowell: Lockheed P-38 Lightning in USAAF, French, Italian, Chinese Nationalist Service, Osprey Aircam Aviation Series No. 10
Roger A. Freeman: Lockheed P-38, F-4 & F-5 Lightning U.S.A.A.F., E.T.O. & M.T.O., 1942-1945 – Camouflage & Markings No 18
Robert Peczkowski: Lockheed P-38 J-L Lightning – Mushroom Yellow Series 6109
Roger Freeman: American Eagles P-38 Lightning Units of The Eighth and Ninth Air Forces – USAAF Colours 2
Larry Davis: P-38 Lightning in action – Aircraft Number 109, Squadron/Signal Publications
Larry Davis: Walk Around P-38 Lightning – Walk Around Number 30, Squadron/Signal Publications
P-38 Lightning at War – Kagero Topcolors 10
Aviation Classics 14: Lockheed P-38 Lightning
Jerry Scutts: Lockheed P-38 Lightning – Crowood Aviation Series
Michael O’Leary: Lockheed P-38 Lightning – Production Line to Frontline 3
Joe Christy, Jeffrey Ethell: P-38 Lightning At War
Pilot training manual for the Lightning P-38 – United States. Army Air Forces
Greg Goebel: The Lockheed P-38 Lightning
Martin Caiden: Fork-Tailed Devil The P38
Steve Blake, Dayle L. DeBry: P-38 LIGHTNING Unforgettable Missions of Skill and Luck
Andrzej Sadlo: P-38 Lightning at War Part 2 – Kagero Mini Topcolors 33
Terry A Fairfield: The 479th Fighter Group in World War II in Action Over Europe with the P-38 and P-51 – A Schiffer Military History Book
Steve Pace: Lockheed P-38 Lightning – Warbird History
Jeffery L. Ethell: P-38 Lightning in World War II Color – Enthusiast Color Series
J. Kozlovsky: Twin Dragons P-38 Lightnings over Burma
Martin W. Bowman: FIGHTER BASES OF WWII US 8TH ARMY AIR FORCE FIGHTER COMMAND USAAF 1942-45 -P-38 Lightning, P-47 Thunderbolt & P-51 Mustang Squadrons in East Anglia, Cambridge, Northamptonshire
Jay Jones: The 370th Fighter Group in World War II in Action over Europe with the P-38 and P-51 – A Schiffer Military History Book
Lockheed P-38 Lightning – Aero-Detail 28 (japanese)
Rene J. Francillon: Lockheed Aircraft Since 1913
Various Authors: United States Army and Air Force Fighters 1916-1961, Harleyford Publications 1961
Christopher Shores: USAAF Fighters Units MTO 1942-45 – Osprey Aircam/Airwar 12
Victor G. Archer, Robert D. Archer: USAAF Aircraft Markings and Camouflage 1941-1947: The History of USAAF Aircraft Markings, Insignia, Camouflage, and Colors – Schiffer Publishing 1997