Lockheed P-38 Lightning Models

During World War II, the Lockheed P-38 Lightning was a single-seat, twin piston-engined fighter aircraft that served in the United States Army Air Corps (USAAC). It was developed by Lockheed Corporation and featured a unique twin-boom design with a central nacelle that housed the cockpit and armament. Apart from being a general fighter, the P-38 was also utilized in several aerial combat roles, such as an efficient fighter-bomber, a night fighter, and a long-range escort fighter when fitted with drop tanks.

Moreover, the P-38 was employed as a bomber-pathfinder, guiding medium and heavy bombers, or even other P-38s equipped with bombs, to their targets. In the aerial reconnaissance role, the P-38 accounted for 90 percent of the aerial film captured over Europe. Although it was not officially designated as a heavy fighter or a bomber destroyer by the USAAC, the P-38 filled those roles and more. It was nimble enough to compete with single-engine fighters, unlike heavier German Zerstörer designs crewed by two or three airmen.

The P-38 was most effective in the Pacific Theater of Operations and the China-Burma-India Theater of Operations as the aircraft of America’s top aces, including Richard Bong (40 victories), Thomas McGuire (38 victories), and Charles H. MacDonald (27 victories). Until the introduction of large numbers of P-51D Mustangs towards the end of the war, the P-38 was the primary long-range fighter of the United States Army Air Forces in the South West Pacific theater.

In an early-war fighter design, both engines of the P-38 were equipped with turbosuperchargers, which made it one of the earliest Allied fighters capable of performing well at high altitudes. Furthermore, the turbosuperchargers muffled the exhaust, making the P-38’s operation relatively quiet. The Lightning was highly forgiving in-flight and could be mishandled in numerous ways. However, the rate of roll in early versions was low relative to other contemporary fighters. This issue was addressed in later variants with the introduction of hydraulically boosted ailerons.

The P-38 was the only American fighter aircraft that was in large-scale production throughout the United States’ involvement in the war, from the Attack on Pearl Harbor to Victory over Japan Day.

 

LOCKHEED MARTIN, associated emblems and logos, and body designs of vehicles are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Lockheed Martin Corporation in the USA and/or other jurisdictions, used under license by Squadron Nostalgia LLC.

Honey Bunny P-38 Lightning Model
Lockheed® P-38 Lightning® Honey Bunny, 18″ Mahogany Scale Model

Honey Bunny P-38 Lightning Model Fly Honey Bunny in this handcrafted P-38 Lightning Model. Each piece is carved from wood and handpainted to provide a piece you’ll love. 18 inches. The Lockheed P-38 Lightning is a World War II-era American … Read More

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Putt Putt Maru P-38 Model
Lockheed® P-38 Lightning® Putt Putt Maru, 18″ Mahogany Scale Model

Putt Putt Maru Lockheed P-38 Model Fly in the classic Putt Putt Maru Lockheed P-38 Model in this hand crafted recreation. Each model is carved from wood and hand crafted to provide a piece you’ll love. Length – 13.5 inches … Read More

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SCAT III P-38 Lightning Model
Lockheed® P-38 Lightning® SCAT III 18″ Mahogany Scale Model

SCAT III P-38 Lightning Model Fly SCAT III in this handcrafted P-38 Lightning Model. Each piece is carved from wood and hand painted to provide a piece you’ll love. 18 inches. The Lockheed P-38 Lightning is a World War II-era … Read More

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Glacier Girl P-38 Lightning Model
Lockheed® P-38 Lightning®, Glacier Girl, Mahogany Scale Model

Glacier Girl P-38 Lightning Model Back from the ice, in this hand crafted recreation of the Glacier Girl. Each piece is carved from wood and hand painted to provide a piece you’ll love. Glacier Girl is a Lockheed P-38F-1-LO Lightning … Read More

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Pudgy P-38 Lightning Model
Lockheed® P-38 Lightning®, Pudgy, 18″ Mahogany Scale Model

Pudgy P-38 Lightning Model Fly ‘Pudgy’ in this handcrafted P-38 model. Each piece is carved from wood and hand painted to provide a piece you’ll love. 18 inches The Lockheed P-38 Lightning is a World War II-era American piston-engined fighter … Read More

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Tangerine P-38 Lightning Model
Lockheed® P-38 Lightning®, Tangerine, 18″ Mahogany Scale Model

Tangerine P-38 Lightning Model Fly Tangerine again in this handcrafted P-38 Model. Each piece is carved from wood and hand painted to provide a piece you’ll love. The Lockheed P-38 Lightning is a World War II-era American piston-engined fighter aircraft. … Read More

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Thoughts of Midnite P-38 Lightning
Lockheed® P-38 Lightning®, Thoughts of Midnite, 18″ Mahogany Scale Model

Thoughts of Midnite P-38 Lightning Fly the ‘Thoughts of Midnite’ in this handcrafted P-38 Lightning model. Each piece is carved from wood and handpainted to provide a piece you’ll love. 18 inches The Lockheed P-38 Lightning is a World War … Read More

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80th Fighter Squadron, 8th Fighter Group Maiden Head P-38H Model
Lockheed® P-38H 80th Fighter Squadron, 8th Fighter Group Maiden Head, 18″ Mahogany Model

80th Fighter Squadron, 8th Fighter Group Maiden Head P-38H Model Fly with the 80th Fighter Squadron, 8th Fighter Group Maiden Head in this handcrafted P-38H Model. Each piece is carved from wood and painted to provide a one of kind … Read More

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