Developed for the United States Army Air Corps (USAAC) by the Lockheed Corporation, the P-38 incorporated a distinctive twin-boom design with a central nacelle containing the cockpit and armament.

Explore the Legacy of the P-38 Lightning, the iconic twin-tailed fighter aircraft that redefined aviation with its speed, innovation, and unmatched versatility.

The twin-engine design of the Lockheed P-38 Lightning and its high fuel capacity made it an ideal fighter and recon plane.

The P-38 Lightning was a distinctive and highly versatile American fighter aircraft used extensively by the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) during World War II.

Jan 14, 2013 · By late 1943 the Lockheed P-38 Lightning had proven itself in a wide veriety of missions – high-altitude fighter sweeps, bomber escort, medium altitude dogfights, ground attack missions and …

The Lockheed P-38 Lightning was originally designed as a bomber-interceptor and was never intended to be a fighter. Weight was kept to a minimum and it was far more advanced and faster than its U.S. …

Dec 18, 2025 · Manufactured only by Lockheed, the P-38 was built in significantly smaller numbers than the P-47 or P-51; just over 9,900 Lightnings of all models were produced.

The Lockheed P-38 Lightning was designed and built by Lockheed for the United States Army Air Corps during the Second World War. It is a piston-engined general fighter introduced in July 1941 and …

The versatile Lightning performed many different missions during World War II, including dive bombing, level bombing, bombing through clouds, strafing, photo reconnaissance and long range escort.

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 …