Lockheed P-38 Lightning Design Info

One of Japan's leading aces who survived the war said in an interview here on YouTube that the P38 was the hardest US aircraft he went up against to shoot down, the reason he gave was it's twin boom design, they preferred to attack aircraft from above from a dive and when he'd fire on the P38 the rounds would pass through the open area between boom's, he said something like "There was nothing to hit!!! The bullets just passed right through!!!".

"YIPPEE", shown in the title picture, was the 5000th P-38. The whole plane was painted a bright vermillion.

I had a friend who flew F5's (photo recon P38) from the Marianas for BDA, because his flights would often be canceled he had lots of free time. He got the medical crew to teach im how to take X-rays and by the time he left the service he was grandfathered in to become a licensed X-ray tech. He was one of the few Army air corps pilots who wore wings of gold as he did his training at Pensacola FL with the navy pilots. He was in the same class as Joe Walker who was killed in the B70 crash flying the F104. He also flew the C124 with the twin bubble canopy. He was also one heck of a X-ray tech. He got pictures when others had no idea how to position the patient to get what the Dr. wanted. He told me some great stories of flying. Greg keep up the great work, you bring these world war II planes back to life with each episode.

“Why a twin boom design?” Because it looks cool, duh.

I've been reading stuff about the P-38 since I first discovered WW2 airplanes about 60 years ago. The twin boom configuration is always rationalized as a solution to maneuverability in a twin engine airplane or improved aerodynamic efficiency, neither of which really made much sense to me. I always thought it was more likely a packaging thing, and a very logical one. You are the first person that's stated that in simple terms. I'm looking forward to more in this series on the P-38.

It's what we've come to expect from you Greg - a thorough look at an aircraft based on your considerable research, which really helps us understand some of the design points of this beauty. Many thanks as always and great value for money!

P-38 is a beauty and its great its getting a full breakdown.

This guy puts most other airplane guys on YouTube to shame.

Ah! My favorite WWII American fighter! I still remember how much I enjoyed building a Monogram 1/48 P-38 over 50 years ago, and I know have the lovely Tamiya kit in my stash. Episode One in this series was informative and as always, I learned a lot. Thanks so much.

Finaly the start of the P-38 Series, many Thx Greg

Twin booms aside, the push-pull engine configuration AND a requirement for space for a pilot and weapons and superchargers and fuel and methanol-water injection and/or nitrous oxide seems to result in quite the sizeable plane, case in point the Do335. Makes one appreciate how compact a design the P38 actually is.

I’ve always loved the Lightning and my family has a special connection to it. On my mom’s side, my grandpa had an engineering job at Lockheed in Burbank and helped develop some of the systems for the late model P-38s. On my dad’s side, my great uncle flew P-38s in Europe before his squadron transitioned to P-51s, mostly on ground attack sorties since this was mid to late 1944.

Thanks Greg, The P-38 is my favorite plane of WW2. When I saw how awesome and informative your P47, Fw190, and Bf 109 videos were I was really hoping you’d do a P38 series. Thanks again

The P-38 is one of those planes that just looks the part. You know? You catch sight of those twin booms in classic profile and it just sort of makes you stop and admire it for a moment.

Favorite aircraft channel. I could watch it all day.

Thank you Greg! I am always intrigued and fixated by the engineering solutions and human heroics of the WWII Era in particular. They often open a keen window into what we are truly capable when pressed to the precipice. War has driven us to so much innovation and unfathomable acts of will. When you talk about oil cooler placement and blast tunes I see young engineers working around the clock in sweaty clothes getting in arguments with the mechanics trying to actually build what is on the plans. Then an innovation that ends up saving .5 gals of fuel per hour in the P47 and tips the needle in the fight for air superiority in Europe. For the sweaty mechanic and engineer,,,,,no glory,,,,,but they are more than fulfilled. Glory was never what they were committed to. Very appreciative! Thanks!

The P-47 was the first WW2 aircraft I fell in love with (figuratively speaking). Then I learned about the P-38 it became and still is my favorite WW2 aircraft. I got to get my mitts all over one at the EAA AirVenture Show in Oshkosh several years ago. The pilot, who wasn't the owner, said it was okay and we had a nice chat about her and what it's like to fly one. THAT was a great day for my son and I.

Greg, you sir are creating the definitive WW2 aircraft video series. Nothing else is even close.

Ace of Aces Richard Bong was from Wisconsin. There is a Bong Recreational area that people mistake for other uses.

As a kid I used to love reading the WWII era "Flying Magazine"s that my Dad had kept from that time. The color photography in them was great as was the ad artwork.