Though the P-38 struggled on the European front, the Lightning more than made up for any shortcomings as it dominated the skies over the Pacific, earning its place as one of the most successful fighters of the Allies in WWII.
Production of the fastest variant of the P-38 aircraft, the P-38J high-altitude interceptor, began in 1943. P-38Js served as long-range escort fighters and performed many roles, such as dive-bombing, level bombing, ground strafing (attacking ground targets from low-level flight), and reconnaissance during World War II.
During its time in service, the P-38 enjoyed several firsts: first fighter with speeds over 400 mph; first fighter with tricycle landing gear; first aircraft to employ power-boosted flight controls; first turbo-supercharged fighter; first American plane to use butt-jointed, flush-riveted, all-metal external surfaces; and first twin- engine interceptor to enter service in the US Army Air Corps.
Even though P-38s were never stationed at Hill, the installation performed maintenance on this aircraft’s engines during World War II. The Lighting’s legacy as a formidable fighter lives on today at Hill Air Force Base in the form of the US Air Force’s newest fighter aircraft, the F-35 Lightning II.
The aircraft on display was manufactured in 1943 and served with the 54th Fighter Squadron of the 343rd Fighter Group, on the island of Attu in the Aleutians. It crash landed on 2 February 1945, on Buldir Island—where it remained for over 50 years until the Aerospace Heritage Foundation of Utah funded a recovery expedition. The Hill Aerospace Museum acquired it for display in 1996 after the aircraft’s full restoration.
During the North African campaign of World War II, German Luftwaffe (aerial warfare branch) nicknamed the P-38 “The Fork-Tailed Devil” for its unusual split- engine design and prowess in combat.
This aircraft is a part of the USAF Heritage Program collection
Serial Number: 42-67638
Manufacturer: Lockheed Aircraft Corporation
Primary Function: Escort Fighter, Fighter Bomber
Crew: One
Engines: Two Allison V-1710-89/91 inline, 12-cylinder, liquid cooled; 1,425 horsepower each
Wingspan: 52 ft
Length: 37 ft 10 in
Height: 9 ft 10 in
Weight: 12,780 lbs (empty); 21,000 lbs (maximum takeoff weight)
Speed: 290 mph (cruising); 414 mph (maximum)
Range: 350 miles
Service Ceiling: 44,000 feet
Armament: One 20mm cannon, four .50 cal. machine guns
Payload: 4,000 lbs ordnance
Cost: $97,147 (average P-38 cost of unit as of 1944)
Years of Service: 1943 – 1945
Even though the P-38 was never stationed at Hill Air Force Base, the installation performed maintenance on this aircraft’s engines during World War II.
The aircraft on display was manufactured in 1943 and assigned to the 54th Fighter Squadron of the 343rd Fighter Group, 11th Air Force, on the island of Attu in the Aleutians. It crash-landed on February 2, 1945, on Buldir Island, where it remained until 1994 when the Aerospace Heritage Foundation of Utah recovered the aircraft. It was acquired by Hill Aerospace Museum for display in 1996 after the aircraft’s full restoration.
Though the P-38 struggled on the European front, the Lightning more than made up for any shortcomings as it dominated the skies over the Pacific, earning its place as one of the most successful fighters of the Allies in WWII.
Considered to be as difficult to fly as any other fighter, pilots estimated the Lightning required nearly double the flight time to truly master the heavy fighter’s full potential.
German pilots referred to the P-38 as the “Twin-Tailed Devil,” while the Japanese referred to it as “Two Planes, One Pilot.”
Among the American aces or pilots who shot down the most aircraft, the P-38 was flown by both the first and second place pilots. Richard Bong, with 40 confirmed enemy kills, and Thomas B. McGuire with 38, were both Lightning pilots.
In 1944, the per unit cost was $97,147, which translates to approximately $1.3 million dollars today.