AT A GLANCE: Lightning Variants

XP-38

Advanced long-range interceptor with two Allison V-12 engines, propellers rotating towards fuselage pod with provision for four .50-cal guns and one 23mm weapon in nose hut not installed. Aircraft quickly set records when first flown during January 1939 Mit single prototype destroyed in crash on 11 February. Highlypolished natural metal finish. Lockheed Model 022-64-01.

YP.38-LO

Thirteen pre-production service test examples (Lockheed Model 122-62-02). Delivered in polished natural metal and sprayed aluminum finish. Allison engine equipped with outward rotating propellers. Armament, often not installed, of two .50-cal, two .30-cal, and one 37mm weapon.

P.38-LO

First production variant (222-62-02) with 30 huilt. Limited annor protection and four .50-cal guns, one 37mm cannon. Delivered in Olive Drah and Neutral Gray camouflage. Most used for training.

XP.38A.LO

Experimental conversion of P-38-LO 40-762 to test pressurized cockpit (622-62-10).

P-38D.LO

Model 222-62-08. Basically same as P-38-LO hut with more military equipment added including self-scaling tanks and extra armor. Flares also added along with low-pressure oxygen system. Thirty-six huilt, all in Olive Drah and Neutral Gray camouflage.

P-38E-LO

Basically same as P-38D but with reworked hydraulic system. The 37mm cannon replaced with more reliable 20mm Hispano weapon. Some had Curtiss Electric propellers and most had SCR274N radio. 210 built, some converted to F-4-1-LO.

P-38F-LO

Mtxjel 222-60-09. Variants of the F received new model numbers: F-I was Model 222-60-15, F-5 Model 222-60-12; other models became 322-60-19. F had pylons inboard of the engines for the carriage of 2000-lbs of bombs or external fuel tanks. The F-15 saw introduction of modified Fowler flap.

P-38G-LO

Basically the same as the F except for new engines (V-1710-51/55) and revised internal radio gear. The G was Model 222-68-12 (G-13 and G-15 were 322-68-12; these machines were RAF Mk. Hs not delivered).

P.38H-LO

Model 422-81-20. Two Allison V-1710-89/91 with automatic oil radiator gills for improved cooling. Underwing carriage of bombs or fuel increased to 3200-lb. 601 built and 128 finished as F-5C-LO.

P.38J-LO

Model 422-81-44 covered the J-1 and J-5; 422-81-22, the J-10; 522-81-22, the J-15 and -20; and 522-87-2?, the J-25. The J introduced the most distinctive physical change in the Lightning scries, the large chin radiators for improved cooling. All J variants, except J-1, had more fuel capacity. With the J-10, a flat, optically perfect bullet-proof windshield was finally introduced. The J-15 had the new jive brakes and power assisted ailerons. The majority of these aircraft were delivered in natural metal finish. Total of 2970 built including F-5E/F-5F photo recon variants.

P-38K-LO

One aircraft only, Model 422-85-22. Basically same as P-38J but Allison V-1710-75/77 engines were equipped with paddle-blade propellers. Earlier XP-38K-LO was a P-38E modification.

P-38L-LO/VN

Model 422-87-2). Basically same as P-38J but with V-1710111/112 engines. Landing light in port wing. 381OJ-LOs built with 113 L-VNs constructed at the Vultee plant connections for ten 5-in rockets under the wings.

P-38M-LO

Mixlel 522-S7-23 was a conversion of basic P-38L airframe into a two-seat night fighter (75 built) with radar mounted in a nose pod. Most delivered in solid black finish.

XFO-1

Five F-5B-LOs assigned to US Navy in North Africa with Bureau Numbers 01209 through 01212.

F-4-1-LO

Unarmed photo recon version of P-38E with four K17 cameras and autopilot. Model 222-62-12,99 aircraft with serials 41-2098/2099, 2121/2156, 2158/2171, 2173/2218, 2220. The F.4A-1-LO used the P38F as basic airframe and 20 built (41-2362/2381 ). Most delivered in Haze camouflage.

F-5A-LO

F-5A-LO used the P-38G modified for photo recon (Model 22268-16, s/n 42-12667/12686). F-5A was Model 222-62-16 (s/n 412157); F-5A-3 Model 222-68-16 (s/n 42-12767/12789); F-5A-10 was Model 222-68-16 (s/n 42-12967/12986, 42-1 3067/131266, 42-13267/13326). Most delivered in Haze camouflage.

F-SB

Adaptation of P-38J-10-LO to photo recon. Model 422-81-21, 200 built (s/n 42-76312/67401,42-68192/68301).

F-5C

Model 222-68-16, modification of P-38H to photo recon with 123 built.

XF-5D

Model 222-68-16. Rebuild of F-5A-10-LO with plexiglass nose cone and prone observer's position. Two .50-cal guns and vertical camera fitted.

F-5E

Photo recon mod of the P-38J. F-5E-2-LO was Model 422-8122 (P-38J-15-LO) with 100 built; F-5E-3-LO Model 522-87-23 conversion of 105 J-25-LOs; F-5E-4-LO Model 422-87-23 conversion of 500 L-1 -LOs.

F-5F-3-LO

Model 422-87-23 photo recon conversion of the P-38L-5-LO.

F-5G-6-LO

Model 422-87-23. Basically same as F-5F-3-LO but different cameras.

Model 322

Lightning for the RAF. 243 Mk. Is were ordered ( AE978/999, AF100/220), but majority taken over by USAAF as P-322 and tlown as advanced trainers. Order for 524 Mk. Us cancelled. Mk. 11s had serials AF221/744 assigned.

Copyright Challenge Publications Inc. Jun 2005
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