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Originally conceived as a high-altitude interceptor to meet a 1937 Army Air Corps requirement, Lockheed's Model 22, designated P-38 Lightning, was to become one of the most successful fighters of World War II. The P-38 was the only type flown by the top two American aces of the war, Major Richard Bong and Major Thomas McGuire, Jr. Its most famous mission was the shoot-down of Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto's transport in 1943. The Lightning was the only American fighter type to remain in production for the entire duration of the war.
The most distinguishing feature of the P-38 was its podded fuselage and unusual twin-boom tail assembly. Initially an innovative approach to the original Air Corps twin-engine interceptor specification, it later would prove ideal for the long, over-water flights required in the Pacific Theater. Operating in all major theaters, the design was highly flexible. The P-38 was adapted to photo-reconnaissance, fighter-bomber, and night fighter roles and excelled at each. As a fighter, P-38 armament typically consisted of four .50-caliber machine guns and a 20mm cannon.
The final production version of many was the P-38L. Equipped with more powerful engines and other upgrades, it was considered by many to be the best of the breed. Of approximately 10,000 P-38 airframes produced, over 3,800 were L-models. A later noteworthy P-38 variant was the P-38M two-seat night fighter, which was converted by Lockheed from P-38L airframes. This was one of the first radar-equipped U.S. fighters and was distinctive in having an elevated rear seat and an extended rear canopy for a second crew member. Its top speed exceeded that of the Northrop P-61A Black Widow by over 30 mph.
The Museum's P-38 is one of the last Lightnings produced. Originally manufactured as a P-38L, it was converted to the P-38M configuration for delivery to the U.S. Army Air Forces. It later served with the Honduran Air Force in the 1950s, then had several private U.S. owners through the 1970s. In 1983, Doug Champlin acquired it from Cecil Harp and Bob Ennis of Modesto, California. Afterwards, it was converted to its present single-seat P-38L configuration. It is now displayed in the markings of Captain John Purdy of the 475th Fighter Group, operating from New Guinea and the Philippines.
Originally conceived as a high-altitude interceptor to meet a 1937 Army Air Corps requirement, Lockheed's Model 22, designated P-38 Lightning, was to become one of the most successful fighters of World War II. The P-38 was the only type flown by the top two American aces of the war, Major Richard Bong and Major Thomas McGuire, Jr. Its most famous mission was the shoot-down of Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto's transport in 1943. The Lightning was the only American fighter type to remain in production for the entire duration of the war.
The most distinguishing feature of the P-38 was its podded fuselage and unusual twin-boom tail assembly. Initially an innovative approach to the original Air Corps twin-engine interceptor specification, it later would prove ideal for the long, over-water flights required in the Pacific Theater. Operating in all major theaters, the design was highly flexible. The P-38 was adapted to photo-reconnaissance, fighter-bomber, and night fighter roles and excelled at each. As a fighter, P-38 armament typically consisted of four .50-caliber machine guns and a 20mm cannon.
The final production version of many was the P-38L. Equipped with more powerful engines and other upgrades, it was considered by many to be the best of the breed. Of approximately 10,000 P-38 airframes produced, over 3,800 were L-models. A later noteworthy P-38 variant was the P-38M two-seat night fighter, which was converted by Lockheed from P-38L airframes. This was one of the first radar-equipped U.S. fighters and was distinctive in having an elevated rear seat and an extended rear canopy for a second crew member. Its top speed exceeded that of the Northrop P-61A Black Widow by over 30 mph.
The Museum's P-38 is one of the last Lightnings produced. Originally manufactured as a P-38L, it was converted to the P-38M configuration for delivery to the U.S. Army Air Forces. It later served with the Honduran Air Force in the 1950s, then had several private U.S. owners through the 1970s. In 1983, Doug Champlin acquired it from Cecil Harp and Bob Ennis of Modesto, California. Afterwards, it was converted to its present single-seat P-38L configuration. It is now displayed in the markings of Captain John Purdy of the 475th Fighter Group, operating from New Guinea and the Philippines.
