Ligthning

Known by the German Luftwaffe as "Der Gabelschwanz Teufel" -- "The Forked Tail Devil," the P-38 Lockheed Lightning was light years ahead of its time. Designed in 1937 as a high-altitude interceptor, the first one built made its debut on February 11, 1939, by flying from California to New York in seven hours.

Because of its unorthodox design, the airplane required several years to perfect it for combat.

Late in 1942, it went into large-scale operations.

Contrary to what some think, the P-38 was not just a fighter -- it also carried high explosive and incendiary bomb loads, competing with the early WWII bomber aircraft (with bomb loads of up to 4000 pounds). It was the fighter of choice for pilots.

Approximately 10,000 P-38's were built, and they flew in every combat theatre, around the world during WWII.

The P-38 did everything a fighter aircraft could do:

Long-range, high- and low-altitude bomber escort
Air-to-air combat
Dive bombing
Skip bombing
Night fighter
High altitude level bombing; using a bombardier with bomb sight
Ground support bombing and strafing
Day and night air reconnaissance (photographic & visual)

Operated in the every imaginable weather condition

Bad weather areas: the Aleutians and Alaska
Hot, humid areas: the Pacific, Central America, Far east, China, Burma, India, Panama and the Philippines)
Impossibly muddy and dusty conditions: North Africa and Italy

Army Air Corps Twin-Engine Fighter (World War II)

The Lockheed P-38 Lightning had a wingspan of 52' and a length of 37', 10", with an overall height of 11' 6"
Speed was "well over 400 mph" and she could reach an altitude of eight miles.
In combat the P-38's wing flaps were extended to tighten turns.
The plane cost $125,000

More about the P 38 Lockheed Ligthning: Books