Lockheed P-38 Lightning

 was an United States fighter design widely used during World War II.

Background
A Lockheed design created in response to a 1937 specification by the Army Air Corps, the P-38 Lightning was an unique design from its inception. Using twin booms for the tail assembly, engines, and superchargers and a single central nacelle for the pilot and armament, the P-38 avoided the usual problem of wing-mounted guns by clustering them in one place and firing straight ahead, greatly increasing weapon range. Additionally, it offered excellent speed and performance, particularly in later, more mature versions.

The P-38 was introduced in July 1941, and went to fight on all fronts of the war, from Pearl Harbor to the end of the Pacific War, with over 10,000 fighters produced in numerous configurations. It has the distinction of being the only American fighter aircraft in high-volume production throughout World War II.

Models

 * Dogfighter
 * Dogfighter (SD2)
 * P-38 Lightning Dogfighter (Fr)
 * Heavy bomber
 * P-38 Lightning Heavy Bomber (US) (SD2)
 * P-38 Lightning Heavy Bomber (Fr)
 * Light rocket
 * P-38 Lightning Light Rockets (US) (SD2)
 * P-38 Lightning Light Rockets (Fr)
 * Medium bomber
 * P-38 Lightning Medium Bomber (US)
 * P-38 Lightning Medium Rockets (US)
 * Tank buster
 * P-38 Lightning Tank Buster (US)