Erickson Aircraft: Lockheed P-38 Lighting (photo diary)

by Ojibwa for Kossack Air Force

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Friday, Apr. 26, 2024 Friday, Apr. 26, 2024 at 7:05:22am PDT

During World War II, the Lockheed P-38 Lighting served with distinction in all combat theaters. Its unique twin boom design made the most recognizable American fighter during World War II.

The P-38 Lightning first flew in 1939 and was adopted by the U.S. Army Air Corps in 1941. In addition to being used as a fighter, the P-38 also served as a night fighter, a fighter-bomber, and a long-range escort fighter.

The P-38 Lightning featured two 1,000 hp turbosupercharged 12-cylinder Alison V-1710 engines fitted with counter-rotating propellers. It was the first American fighter to use stainless steel and smooth butt-jointed aluminum skin panels. It was also the first military airplane to fly faster than 400 mph.

The P-38 Lightning was the only U.S. combat aircraft continuously manufactured during the American participation in World War II. Shown below is the P-38 Lightning in the Erickson Aircraft Collection in Madras, Oregon.

The P-38 in the Erickson Aircraft Collection in Madras, Oregon was built in 1944, delivered to the Army Air Force in 1945, and declared surplus in 1946. A total of 9,923 P-38s were produced and the Museum’s Lightning is one of only five still flying.

The name “Tangerine” was from a popular song of the day. The original Tangerine airplane was lost in combat.

According to the Museum:

“The Lightning was ideal as both a gunnery platform and a photo reconnaissance airship because everything could be consolidated in the nose. With counter-rotating propellers and no torqufe, centrally concentrated firepower, twin engine safety, hydraulically boosted ailerons and range, the P-38 was America’s first truly modern military aircraft.”