Thus equipped, the aircraft (sometimes called the pathfinder) would lead formations of P-38s armed with bombs to their target, and after taking sightings, the bombardier would signal the rest of the formation to drop its bombs all at once, a technique that proved quite successful. These could carry a bombardier with a Norden Bombsight in the modified glazed nose, which was missing the usual machine guns. Various versions of the P-38 were produced throughout the war and included the J and L two-seater models. In addition, it could carry up to 4,000 pounds of bombs or ten 5 inch rocket (R.P.) projectiles under wing. 50 caliber Browning machine guns all in the nose.
Roosevelt Library.Īrmament for the P-38 included one 20mm Hispano AN-M2C cannon, and four. Photo from the Collection FDR-PHOCO: Franklin D. The biggest of the single seat fighters, the P-38 had a fifty-two foot wingspan and was equipped with two turbo-charged 1,600 hp Allison V-1710-11/113 in-line piston engines.įactory work in progress in the installation of machine guns in the nose of a new Lockheed P-38 Lightning in 1942. Proving to be quite versatile, it also was used as a fighter-bomber, a night fighter, for photo reconnaissance and was experimentally fitted to carry torpedoes, although I did not find evidence that it ever carried torpedoes in combat.Īlthough USAAC specifications were given in 1937 for a a high-altitude interceptor, the aircraft did not enter service until 1941, as the P-38D model.
#WWII TANK BUSTER AIRCRAFT INSTALL#
Its twin tail booms were so distinctive that the Germans gave it the nickname of Gabelschwanzteufel, which translated means Fork-Tailed Devil.Īdvantages of the twin-boom was the ability to install armament in the nose which was free of propellers and with the raised cockpit, the pilot had an excellent, unobstructed view. The P-38 Lightning was Lockheed's first military aircraft and became one of the most effective fighters of World War II.Ī long range, twin engine turbo charged, twin boom fighter, it was easily identified by friend and foe alike, earning it the job of fleet protection in the Normandy landings on D-day (the Navy did not shoot down a single Lightning on D-day, not so for other Allied aircraft).
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