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United States' Lockheed P-38F Lightning fighter1
Design
The Lockheed P-38F Lightning had more powerful engines and could carry ordnance or drop tanks under the wings.1 The wing was strengthened and had underwing pylons.1
The cockpit was rear hinged and opened upwards.1
Production
150 of the airframes intended for the Lighting I were upgraded to be P-38Fs.1
Variants
- P-38F:
- P-38F-1:
- P-38F-5:
- P-38F-10:
- P-38F-15: Maneuverability was enhanced by a combat flap setting.1
Usage
The P-38F was used in all theaters.1
| Lockheed P-38F Lightning1 | |
|---|---|
| Type | Fighter bomber1 |
| Crew | 11 |
| Engine (Type) | 2: Allison V-1710-49/531 |
| Cylinders | V 121 |
| Cooling | |
| HP | 1,325 each1 |
| Propeller blades | 3 each1 |
| Dimensions | |
| Span | 52'1 15.85 m1 |
| Length | 37' 10"1 11.53 m1 |
| Height | 9' 10"1 3 m1 |
| Wing area | |
| Weight | |
| Empty | 12,265 lb1 5,563 kg1 |
| Loaded | 15,800 lb1 7,167 kg1 |
| Maximum load | 18,000 lb1 8,165 kg1 |
| Performance | |
| Speed @ 5,000' / 1,524 m |
346 mph1 558 kph1 |
| Speed @ 25,000' 7,620 m |
395 mph1 635 kph1 |
| Cruising speed | 305 mph1 491 kph1 |
| Climb | 2,900'/minute1 884 m/minute1 |
| Climb to 20,000' / 6,096 m |
8.8 minutes1 |
| Service ceiling | 39,000'1 11,887 m1 |
| Range | 700 miles1 1,126 km1 |
| Range with drop tanks | 1,425 miles1 2,293 km1 |
| Armament | |
| Nose | 1: 20 mm1 4: 0.5" MG1 |
| Bombs - under wings | 2,000 lb1 907 kg1 |
Sources:
- Aircraft of WWII, Stewart Wilson, 1998
