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United States' Lockheed P-38H Lightning fighter1

Lockheed P-38H Lightning fighter:
United States' Lockheed P-38H Lightning fighter

Design

The Allison engines were rated at 1,425 HP but were restricted to 1,240 HP.1 There were cooling problems with the engine.1

Production

The first flight of the P-38H was in September 1942.1

  Lockheed P-38H Lightning1
Type Fighter bomber1
Crew 11
Engine (Type) 2: Allison V-1710-89/911
Cylinders  
Cooling  
HP 1,425 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 12,380 lb1
5,616 kg1
Loaded 16,300 lb1
7,394 kg1
Maximum weight 20,300 lb1
9,208 kg1
Performance  
Speed @ 5,000' /
1,524 m
345 mph1
555 kph1
Speed @ 25,000'
7,620 m
402 mph1
647 kph1
Cruising speed 300 mph1
483 kph1
Climb 2,800'/minute1
853 m/minute1
Service ceiling  
Range with drop tanks 1,950 miles1
3,138 km1
Maximum ferry range 2,200 miles1
3,540 km1
Armament  
Nose 1: 20 mm1
4: 0.5" MG1
Bombs - under wings 4,000 lb1
1,814 kg1

Sources:

  1. Aircraft of WWII, Stewart Wilson, 1998
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