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Description
| Manufacturer: | Lockheed | |
| Base model: | P-38 | |
| Designation: | P-38 | |
| Version: | J | |
| Nickname: | Lightning | |
| Designation System: | U.S. Air Force | |
| Designation Period: | 1925-1947 | |
| Basic role: | Pursuit | |
| Crew: | Pilot | |
Specifications
| Length: | 37' 10" | 11.5 m | |
| Height: | 12' 10" | 3.9 m | |
| Wingspan: | 52' 0" | 15.8 m | |
| Wingarea: | 328.0 sq ft | 30.4 sq m | |
| Empty Weight: | 12,380 lb | 5,614 kg | |
| Gross Weight: | 19,500 lb | 8,843 kg | |
| Max Weight: | 20,300 lb | 9,206 kg | |
Propulsion
| No. of Engines: | 2 | ||
| Powerplant: | Allison V-1710-89/91 | ||
| Horsepower (each): | 1425 | ||
Performance
| Range: | 350 miles | 563 km | |
| Cruise Speed: | 250 mph | 402 km/h | 217 kt |
| Max Speed: | 402 mph | 647 km/h | 349 kt |
| Climb: | 3,076 ft/min | 937 m/min | |
| Ceiling: | 40,000 ft | 12,191 m | |
Known serial numbers
Examples of this type may be found at
| Museum | City | State |
| Planes of Fame Air Museum | Eden Prairie | Minnesota |
| The Air Museum "Planes of Fame" | Chino | California |
P-38J on display
The Air Museum | The Air Museum "Planes of Fame" |
Recent comments by our visitors
| Ted Taylor Austin, TX | My dad flew the reconnaissance version of the P-38, known as the F-5. He commander the 28th PRS. He died last week (June 17, 2007) and I am preparing his eulogy as I write this note. A great man, he was. There are some really hairy stories about these Lightning jocks. I'll try and return shortly and recount a tale or two.
Thanks for your website! Ted 06/24/2007 @ 20:27 [ref: 16934] |
| Gary Clinton Louisville, KY, KY | I have recently heard you have recieved the Glacier Girl
P-38 from Middlesboro KY. I have followed that plane since 2000, I will miss not being able to see it, glad its found a good home. I understand its making a trip to England, If its going to refueling near KY please let me know. Good luck, take good care of Glacier Girl 04/30/2007 @ 11:15 [ref: 16359] |
| Ralph Munyan Kansas City,, MO | Has anyone cataloged how many P-38s are flying today and where they are located?
Thanks. 11/05/2006 @ 15:38 [ref: 14671] |
| ernest wolpert sylmar, CA | 1940 TO 1944 I PLAYED IN THE LOCKHEED BAND DURING LUNCH .
ON A SPECIAL ASSEMBLE OF ARMY OFFICALS THAT WERE ACCEPTING THE FIRST P38`S ,3 P38S BUZZED THE CROWD, AS THEY CLIMBED THE TAIL SECTION FLEW OFF ONE OF THE P38S .THE PLANE CRASHED IN BURBANK.AT THE TIME IT WAS QUITE A SHOCK AND I THOUGHT THIS WILL BE THE END OF THE P38 PROGRAMN.LUCKERLY IT WAS NOT. 06/29/2006 @ 13:32 [ref: 13617] |
| doug sperling , BC | When I was a boy there was a p38 in prince george being used as a photography plane,the pilot apparently had a few drinks and was out hot dogging around pg he flew over us so close we could see a boy in the glass bombay waveing to us they flew really low around town and then right at the cut banks north of town and straight up the face and clipped a tree with left wing,he was running full throttle trying to get the nose up as he came around in a tight arc and drove it into a ravine and a big plume of smoke came up...The largest peice of that air craft was about 6 ft long it was a piece of one of the fuselage..I had heard earlier that this plane was up at the air port and had gone up to admire it,so the was a hard thing to watch..This event was back in the 50s...... 03/18/2006 @ 18:15 [ref: 12850] |
| James Humberd , CA | For a true story about a
Lockheed P-38, And A Horse Race go to http://www.travel-tidbits.com/tidbits/003083.shtml comments please Jim 10/21/2004 @ 23:14 [ref: 8485] |
| James Humberd , CA | For a true story about a
Lockheed P-38, And A Horse Race go to http://www.travel-tidbits.com/tidbits/003083.shtml comments please Jim 10/21/2004 @ 23:13 [ref: 8484] |
| Brandon Silverton, OR | I really like your website!!! kEEP UP THE GOOD WORK. 11/01/2001 @ 13:34 [ref: 3539] |
| soon to be a pilot (hopefully) , MA | Oh, Hedy Lamar is a beautiful gal,
and Madeleine Carroll is too, but you'l find if you query, a different theory amonsgt any bomber crew For the loveliest thing of which one could sing (this side of the Pearly Gates) Is no blonde or brunette of the Hollywood set But an escort of p-38's Yes in the days that have passed, when the tables were massed With glasses of scotch and champagne Yes it's true that the sight was once a thing to delight Us, intent on feeling no pain. But no longer the same, nowadays, in this game When we head north from the Messina Straits Take the sparkling wine- every time just make mine an escort of P-38's Byron, Shelly, Keats run a dozen dead heats Describing the view from the hills, of the valleys in May when the winds gently sway In the airs a different story; We sweat out our track through fighter and flak We're willing to split p the glory Well, they wouldn't reject us so Heaven pretect us and, until all the shooting abates, Give us the courage to fight'em- and one other small item, An escort of P-38's by Anonymous bomber radioman 08/28/2001 @ 16:48 [ref: 3051] |
| A1C Michael Becker Elmendorf AFB, AK | I'm an avionics technician in 12th FS, previously the 54th FS at Elmendorf. Both squadrons have previously flown the P-38 and recently an 38 was discovered on the coast of an island in the Aleutian island chain. It was supposedly shot down in air battle over the bering strait. The Lieutenant who was flying it bailed out and safely made it home. The plane is currently being repainted and refurbished and will be a static display at Heritage Park on Elmendorf AFB, Anchorage, AK as of July 26, 2000. 05/07/2000 @ 23:52 [ref: 160] |
Recent photos uploaded by our visitors
