Built with flaws that nearly doomed it, the P-38 Lightning found its true purpose in the Pacific, excelling in long-range combat, relentless interception, and one of the war’s most daring missions.

Summary and Key Points: The Lockheed P-38 Lightning, the first aircraft produced by Skunk Works under Clarence “Kelly” Johnson, played a pivotal role in World War II. Some experts declare it the best ...

The Lockheed P-38 Lightning is an aircraft that opted to pen its name in capital letters in the annals of war flight. Modeled as a high-altitude fighter, this aircraft not only displayed phenomenal ...

Key point: Despite its flaws, the P-38 was a rare early example of a successful “heavy” fighter boasting speed, range, and firepower—similar to modern multi-role fighters like the F-15 and Su-27. In ...

In the time between World War I and World War II, fighter planes underwent rapid changes. During the first World War, the Sopwith F.1 Camel was known as one of the best combat planes around. It had a ...