Table of Contents
How many P 38s are left?
26
The Lockheed P-38 Lighting is an American two-engine fighter used by the United States Army Air Forces and other Allied air forces during World War II. Of the 10,037 planes built, 26 survive today, 22 of which are located in the United States, and 10 of which are airworthy.
Was the P-38 Lightning any good?
When Major John Mitchell led 16 P-38s to attack and kill Japan’s Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto on April 18, 1943, the mission spanned about 420 miles (see “Death by P-38,” May 2013). The P-38 Lightning inspired young men, fought a global war and earned a reputation as one of the greatest fighters of all time.
What made the P-38 Lightning special?
First conceived in 1937 by Lockheed chief engineer Hall L. Hibbard and his then assistant, Clarence “Kelly” Johnson, the twin-boomed P-38 was the most innovative plane of its day, combining speed with unheard-of advances: two supercharged engines and a potent mix of four 50-caliber machine guns and a 20-mm cannon.
Who made P-38 Lightning?
Lockheed CorporationLockheed P-38 Lightning / ManufacturerThe Lockheed Corporation was an American aerospace manufacturer. Lockheed was founded in 1926 and later merged with Martin Marietta to form Lockheed Martin in 1995. Wikipedia
Why did P-38 have twin booms?
The Lockheed team chose twin booms to accommodate the tail assembly, engines, and turbosuperchargers, with a central nacelle for the pilot and armament.
Are any Lightnings still flying?
There are only four flying Lightnings left in the world and they’re all in Cape Town, waiting for you.
What was the fastest plane in World War II?
These Were The 10 Fastest Planes Of WWII
- 8 Heinkel He.
- 7 Messerschmitt Me. 163 Komet (624 Mph)
- 6 Dornier Do-335 Pfeil (474 Mph)
- 5 Arado Ar 234 Blitz (462 Mph)
- 4 Supermarine Spitfire Mk. 24 (454 Mph)
- 3 Vought F4U Corsair (446 Mph)
- 2 North American P-51 Mustang (440 Mph)
- 1 Republic P-47 Thunderbolt (433 Mph)
Is the P-38 hard to fly?
While the P-38 was considered no more difficult to fly than most single-engine high-performance fighters, pilots said it took about twice as much flight time to master the P-38’s full potential.
What does P stand for in P-38?
It also is possible that “38” was the number of punches (a “P” word) it took to open a ration can. All experts agree that P-38 did not derive its name from the Walther P-38 pistol used by the German military in World War II.
How fast was a P-38 in a dive?
400-mph
The P-38s 400-mph speed and 40,000-foot ceiling placed it in a pioneering role when it came to high altitude dives and the effect of compressibility. As it turned out, all World War II fighters had some trouble with compressibility, usually encountered in dives from high altitude.
What was the fastest plane in ww2?
What happened to Clarkson’s Lightning?
The Lightning was subsequently removed on the orders of the local council, which “wouldn’t believe my claim that it was a leaf blower”, according to Clarkson on a Tiscali Motoring webchat.
How fast is the Lightning jet?
Lightning fact file
| Date: | 1962 |
|---|---|
| Crew: | 1 (pilot) |
| Top speed: | 1,500 mph (2,414 km/h) |
| Range: | 800 miles (1,287 km) |
| Weapons: | 2 x 30mm Aden cannon and 2 x Firestreak air-to-air missiles or 4 x 30mm Aden cannons |
What was the slowest WW2 plane?
PZL M-15 Belphegor – Wikipedia.
How much would it cost to buy a P-51 Mustang?
An original World War II era North American Aviation P-51 fighter-bomber is now up for sale. According to Auto Evolution, this particular aircraft is located in Germany and is being offered for sale for 3.3 million euros or roughly $3.9 million.
What was the fastest ww2 plane?
How much is clarksons farm worth?
Clarkson’s farm is worth an estimated $8.2 million.
Are there any BAC Lightnings still flying?
What happened to Clarkson’s lightning?
How high can a lightning fly?
The official ceiling of the BAC Lightning was a closely guarded secret although it is said to be in excess of 60,000 ft and it is well renowned for its exceptional rate of climb at 20,000 ft per minute.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p26NYiRXm2s