Block, Siteadmin, SkipCaptcha, Upload, Automoderated users, delete, edit, Moderators, move, protect, rollback, Administrators
27,336
edits
Changes
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
Line 1:
Line 1: + − [[Image:P-38-1.jpg|thumb|280px]]+ Line 6:
Line 7: − +
added pic
[[Image:021001-O-9999G-005.jpg|right|300px|thumb|Lockheed P-38 Lightning]]
The '''P-38 Lightning''' was an American long-range fighter-bomber in [[World War II]], which served notably in both the [[Atlantic]] and [[Pacific]] theatres.
The '''P-38 Lightning''' was an American long-range fighter-bomber in [[World War II]], which served notably in both the [[Atlantic]] and [[Pacific]] theatres.
== Design ==
== Design ==
== Service ==
== Service ==
[[Image:P-38-1.jpg|thumb|200px]]
The British were the first to order the P-38, although they were only used for training purposes. The P-38F was the first model to see combat--it was used extensively in North Africa and the Southern Pacific. The P-38G and H also served notably as bomber escorts in Europe, although with the development of the [[P-51 Mustang]] and the [[P-47 Thunderbolt]] they were almost phased out. They were used throughout the Pacific theatre, as their long range, bomb capacity, and speed made them superb choices for land-based aircraft. In April 1943, 18 [[Guadalcanal]]-based Lightnings were sent on a secret mission to intercept and shoot down the [[Mitsubishi G4M|plane]] carrying top Japanese commander Admiral [[Isoroku Yamamoto]].<ref> Donald A. Davis, ''Lightning Strike: The Secret Mission to Kill Admiral Yamamoto and Avenge Pearl Harbor'' (2005)</ref>
The British were the first to order the P-38, although they were only used for training purposes. The P-38F was the first model to see combat--it was used extensively in North Africa and the Southern Pacific. The P-38G and H also served notably as bomber escorts in Europe, although with the development of the [[P-51 Mustang]] and the [[P-47 Thunderbolt]] they were almost phased out. They were used throughout the Pacific theatre, as their long range, bomb capacity, and speed made them superb choices for land-based aircraft. In April 1943, 18 [[Guadalcanal]]-based Lightnings were sent on a secret mission to intercept and shoot down the [[Mitsubishi G4M|plane]] carrying top Japanese commander Admiral [[Isoroku Yamamoto]].<ref> Donald A. Davis, ''Lightning Strike: The Secret Mission to Kill Admiral Yamamoto and Avenge Pearl Harbor'' (2005)</ref>