The first P-38 Lightning flew in 1939, but it was not until 1941 that full scale production was started. When the USAAF first accepted delivery, the Lightning was the fastest fighter in the Air Corps. Over the years of its production, there were over a dozen model variants built. The changes were mainly in armament or increased load-carrying capacity. The P-38L was the most built model, 3923 in all. The final variants of the Lightning design, the F-4 and F-5 were photo-reconnaissance aircraft and were used in both the European and Asian theatres of operations. Some of P-38Ls were converted for Pathfinder operations with the installation of radar in the nose. Counting all variations of the P-38, there were a total of 10,037 built in all. Only seven are believed airworthy today.

The P-38 incorporated many firsts into its design. It was the first to use a tricycle landing gear, the only mass-produced single seat twin engine fighter in WWII and it was the first fighter with the ability of flying across the North Atlantic for delivery to Europe with its non-stop un-refuelled range of over 3000 miles when fitted with drop tanks.

The P-38 was powered by two 1475hp Allison V-12 turbo-charged engines. While its empty weight was 12,800 lbs., it could takeoff with 80% of its weight, at 21,600 lbs. which gave it claim to another first, being able to carry two torpedoes. With a length of 37ft 10in, its wingspan was 52 ft. Maximum speed at 25,000 was 414 mph with a service ceiling of 44,000 ft. Its rate-of-climb exceeded that of any German or Japanese fighter, which gave the Lightning the enormous advantage of always being able to fly above the enemy.

The P-38 served with distinction in all theaters of operation through the war. It was responsible for primary escort duty in the early stages of the daylight bombing campaign in Europe. It was the primary fighter in the Mediterranean Theater, where it gained the nickname of "The Fork-tailed Devil" from Luftwaffe pilots and performed with excellent results in North Africa and the invasion of Italy. It even operated in the harsh conditions of the Alaskan Aleutian Islands against the numerically superior Japanese during the early part of the war.

However, the P-38 will be forever linked to the South Pacific. Japanese ships and aircraft were constantly being savaged under the guns of skilled American pilots. The Japanese were never able to be on the offensive and were usually on their heels. The P-38 routinely destroyed bombers, fighters and ships without many losses. In fact, the average kill ratio was over 10 to 1. For every ten confirmed kills, only one P-38 was lost to all causes (this includes being shot down, lost at sea and mechanical failures).

Without any doubts, the P-38 was able to perform many roles with tremendous success. No other aircraft can boast this ability. The P-51 was a better air-to-air fighter, but it was not as effective in ground strikes and was unable to perform adequate reconnaissance. The B-17 and the B-24 were superior long-range level bombers, but the P-38 was almost able to carry the same bomb load and would turn into fighters as soon as the bombs were dropped. The P-38 was modified to carry torpedoes, transformed into a night fighter, was able to dive/level bomb and was the main reconnaissance aircraft in the American air forces.

Pilots loved the airplane for its maneuverability, high-altitude capabilities and long flight endurance, which could reach over 11 hours with full drop tanks. One of the most famous P-38 pilots was Major Richard Bong who scored 40 aerial victories making him the top American ace of WWII.

One of the many stories of the Lightning is one about the Phantom P-38. Damaged Flying Fortresses returning from bombing missions in the Mediterranean theatre that were straggling behind the main formations, were being lost to a P-38 that would fly alongside, waggle his wings and wave leading the bomber crew to believe that the fighter was going to provide cover on it's return flight. The bomber's gunners would relax, the Phantom P-38 would take up a defensive position above and aft of the bomber, then suddenly dive and shoot down the Flying Fortress. This happened a number of times before Command gave the story any credence, but then intelligence found out that a P-38 believed lost over the Mediterranean Sea, had actually made it safely to an airport in Sardinia. There the pilot was taken prisoner, but the aircraft itself was taken over by an Italian pilot who was able to master the P-38 and started his career as the Phantom Lightning. His career was ended when a heavily armored and armed Fortress trapped him into thinking he had another easy picking and as he went to take up his usual pre-attack position, the Fortress opened up fire and shot him down. He managed to bail out and was rescued. An interesting footnote is that he later attended the funeral of the Fortress pilot whose transport aircraft had crashed during the Berlin Airlift.

Michael Russell Your Independent guide to Aviation