What did the Japanese call the P-38 Lightning?
They once called the plane the fork-tailed devil, while the Japanese dubbed them, two planes, one pilot.
What made the P-38 Lightning special?
The P-38 was the first American fighter to make extensive use of stainless steel and smooth, flush-riveted, butt-jointed aluminum skin panels. It was also the first military airplane to fly faster than 400 mph (640 km/h) in level flight.
Was the P-38 Lightning a good plane?
Despite its flaws, the P-38 was a rare early example of a successful “heavy” fighter boasting speed, range and firepower—similar to modern multi-role fighters like the F-15 and Su-27.
How many guns did a P-38 Lightning have?
The Ultimate Weapon Hibbard and his then assistant, Clarence “Kelly” Johnson, the twin-boomed P-38 was the most innovative plane of its day, combining speed with unheard-of advances: two supercharged engines and a potent mix of four 50-caliber machine guns and a 20-mm cannon.
How many p51 Mustangs were built?
There were 16,776 P-51 Mustangs produced in various models. The P-51D model with the “bubble” canopy and Rolls Royce Merlin engine was the most widely produced variant of the Mustang. The P-51D was armed with six 50 cal. Browning machine guns with a total of 1880, 400 rounds each inboard and 270 rounds each outboard.
Did the P-38 carry bombs?
A limited number of P-38s were fitted with a bombardier’s position in the nose of the central pod; termed “droop-snoots,” these were used to lead formations of P-38s carrying two 2,000-pound (900-kg) bombs each, the entire formation dropping on the bombardier’s command.
Is the P-38 Lightning a heavy fighter?
P-38, also called Lightning, fighter and fighter-bomber employed by the U.S. Army Air Forces during World War II. A large and powerful aircraft, it served as a bomber escort, a tactical bomber, and a photo-reconnaissance platform.
How many P 38s are still flying?
26
The Lockheed P-38 Lighting is an American two-engine fighter used by the United States Army Air Forces and other Allied air forces during World War II. Of the 10,037 planes built, 26 survive today, 22 of which are located in the United States, and 10 of which are airworthy.
What was the top speed of the de Havilland Mosquito?
408 mph
Specification (B Mk XVI)
| Powerplant | Two 1,710 hp Rolls-Royce Merlin 76/77 V12 engines |
|---|---|
| Maximum Weight | 23,000 lb |
| Capacity | Two crew |
| Maximum Speed | 408 mph |
| Range | 1,485 miles |
How many me262s were shot down?
April 10, 1945 epitomized the futility of the Luftwaffe’s efforts in the face of Allied air dominance. On that date, some 60 Me 262s engaged more than 1,000 Allied bombers and fighters. Twenty-seven Allied aircraft were shot down, but 31 Me 262s, more than half the defending force, were lost.
How high can a P-51 fly?
41,900 ft
P-51 MUSTANG SPECIFICATIONS
| AIRCRAFT: | TF-51 Mustang |
|---|---|
| MAX CEILING: | 41,900 ft |
| CLIMB RATE: | 3,475 ft/ minute 7.3 min to 20,000 ft. |
| RANGE: | 2,080 miles with two 110 gal. drop tanks |
| ARMAMENT: | 6 X .50 caliber Browning machine guns 2 with 270 rounds per gun 4 with 400 rounds per gun |
Did you know these 17 little known facts about the P-38 Lightning?
Check out these 17 little known facts about the P-38 Lightning. 2) And, it was the only American fighter aircraft in production throughout the entire American involvement in WWII. 3) The P-38 was nicknamed the ‘fork-tailed devil’ by the German Luftwaffe and ‘two planes, one pilot’ by Japanese fighter pilots.
What is the ISBN for the Lockheed P-38J Lightning?
ISBN 0-7603-1343-1. ^ “WWII Aircraft Performance: P-38F Tactical Trials”. Final Report on Tactical Suitability of the P-38F Type Airplane, 6 March 1943. Retrieved: 19 January 2009. ^ Bodie 1991, p. 166. ^ Bodie 1991, p. 172. ^ Baugher, Joe. “Lockheed P-38J Lightning.” Joe Baugher’s Encyclopedia of American Military Aircraft, 5 June 1999.
How fast can a P-38J fly?
With the P-38D came self-sealing fuel tanks and armor protection for the pilot. The fastest of the Lightnings was the P-38J with a top speed of 420 mph, and the version produced in the greatest quantity was the “L”, of which 3,735 were built by Lockheed and 113 by Vultee.
What was the P-38 made out of?
The P-38 was the first American fighter to make extensive use of stainless steel and smooth, flush-riveted, butt-jointed aluminum skin panels. It was also the first military airplane to fly faster than 400 mph (640 km/h) in level flight.