Lockheed P-38 Lightning

The ‘Cadillac’ of USAAF fighters in World War 2, the Lightning was a highly innovative design produced by Lockheed of Burbank California, in response to a challenging requirement for a long range, high speed and high altitude fighter to escort the AAF’s rapidly expanding B-17 and B-24 heavy bomber fleets. To meet the Criterion laid down in the requirement, the company adopted a revolutionary twin boom layout and supercharged Allison Engines. The latter initially proved troublesome, but the gremlins were eventually sorted out and the type went on to see much action in Europe, North Africa, the Mediterranean, the Pacific and the CBI. Using the best Lockheed official and private archival black and white photographs available, combined with period color advertisements, a double page cutaway drawing and scale plans, this volume reveals all facets of the Lightning’s construction and frontline use.