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United States' Lockheed P-38J Lightning fighter1
Design
Due to cooling problems in previous version of the P-38, the P-38J had a reorganized cooling and turbo charger intercooling systems.1 The nacelles had a different shape and deeper intakes.1
The engines were no longer limited.1 Emergency boost was 1,600 HP.1
Production
The first P-38J was delivered in August 1943.1
Variants
- P-38J:
- P-38J-25: Had a flat windscreen.1 The instrument panel was revised.1 There were dive or compressibility flaps under the wings.1
- P-38J "droop snoot": Bomb aiming lead ships.1 Had larger nose installed.1 A navigator / bombardier would operate a Norden bombsight through a plexiglass section.1
| Lockheed P-38J Lightning1 | Lockheed P-38J-25 Lightning1 | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Fighter bomber1 | |
| Crew | 11 | |
| Engine (Type) | 2: Allison V-1710-89/911 | |
| Cylinders | V 121 | |
| 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 | 12,780 lb1 5,797 kg1 |
|
| Loaded | 19,800 lb1 8,981 kg1 |
|
| Maximum load | 21,600 lb1 9,798 kg1 |
|
| Performance | ||
| Speed @ 5,000' / 1,542 m |
360 mph1 579 kph1 |
|
| Speed @ 25,000' 7,620 m |
414 mph1 666 kph1 |
|
| Cruising speed | 186 - 290 mph1 299 - 467 kph1 |
|
| Climb | 3,670'/minute1 1,118 m/minute1 |
|
| Climb to 20,000' / 6,096 m |
7 minutes1 | |
| Service ceiling | 43,800'1 13,350 m1 |
|
| Range with 3,200 lb 726 kg bombs |
725 miles1 1,167 km1 |
|
| Maximum ferry range | 2,260 miles1 3,637 km1 |
|
| Armament | ||
| Nose | 1: 20 mm1 4: 0.5" MG1 |
|
| Bombs - under wings | 4,000 lb1 1,814 kg1 |
Sources:
- Aircraft of WWII, Stewart Wilson, 1998
