Lockheed P-38J Lightning 114″ Wingspan

Designer: Ziroli

Wing Span: 114”

Length:   83”

Wing Area: 1590 sq. in.

Weight: 38 to 42 lbs.

Engines: (2) 2.2 to 3.7 cu. In gas

One of the many successes of designer “Kelly Johnson”. The P-38 was designed and first flew in 1939.  Unique in it’s design with center pod with pilot and armament and twin booms with the two V-12 supercharged engines. It was also the  first American fighter with tricycle, landing gear, twin booms, flush butt joint aluminum skins with flush rivets.  The P-38 began it’s entry into WWII with mixed reviews. Early versions did not have the supercharged Allison engines and were not considered acceptable to the British. As improvements continued and the J model (this kit) entered production and delivery, the P-38 had become the fastest and largest of US manufactured fighters with impressive speed, climb rate and distance. Overall, the P-38 scored more kills than any other US fighter and the two highest scoring US Aces.