The Lockeed A-38-II Lightning Strike is a modified P-38 Lightning designed specifically for long range escort/Interdiction/Ground attack. The key differences is weapon load, as the A-38 is capable of carrying 5,000lbs of bombs on five central hardpoints, as well as eight wing hardpoints for rockets or small bombs. The A-38 was also theoretically capable of carrying torpedoes or even a total of three ASM-N-2 “Bat” radar-guided glide bombs, however this was only ground tested and never actually used in combat. Gun armament consisted of four .50 caliber MG’s and two 50mm autocannons, each holding 100 rounds. These were greatly useful for taking out enemy tanks and light vehicles. Only four aircraft were converted, and they were sent to Europe in 1943. Pilots reported that in combat the aircraft had slightly worse maneuverablity than the unmodified P-38’s they flew, however ground crews reported that they were a pain to maintain, having the same liquid-cooled engines of the Lighting. In late 1944, the A-38’s were brought back to the US and placed in reserve squadrons, and after the war they were sadly scrapped.