Lockheed P-38 Lightning
The Lockheed P-38 Lightning is an American single-seat, twin piston-engined fighter aircraft that was used during World War II. Developed for the United States Army Air Corps by the Lockheed Corporation, the P-38 incorporated a distinctive twin-boom design with a central nacelle containing the cockpit and armament. Along with its use as a general fighter, the P-38 was used in various aerial combat roles, including as a highly effective fighter-bomber, a night fighter, and a long-range escort fighter when equipped with drop tanks. The P-38 was also used as a bomber-pathfinder, guiding streams of medium and heavy bombers, or even other P-38s equipped with bombs, to their targets. Used in the aerial reconnaissance role, the P-38 accounted for 90 percent of the aerial film captured over Europe.
Specifications
General Characteristics
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- Wingspan 46.0ft (14.0m)
- Length 37.9ft (11.5m)
- Height 12.6ft (3.8m)
- Empty Weight 12,881lbs (5,842kg)
- Loaded Weight 15,677lbs (7,111kg)
Performance
- Horse Power/Weight Ratio 0.637
- Wing Loading 42.4lbs/ft2 (207.1kg/m2)
- Wing Area 369.6ft2 (34.3m2)
- Drag Points 5625
Parts
- Number of Parts 209
- Control Surfaces 9
- Performance Cost 866