A55 Lockheed P-38 Lightning
Lockheed P-38 Lightning was one of America's outstanding fighters of World War II. It was slower and less manoeuvrable than the Republic P-47 Thunderbolt and the North American P-51 Mustang, but its offensive reputation was second to none: so much so that the Luftwaffe referred to the Lightning as "der gabel-schwanz tenfel" ( the forked-tailed devil).
Although the P-38 Lightning was primarly a fighter, It's limited use by the RAAF was solely in a photo recon role.Design work on the Lightning began in 1937 and the prototype XP-38 first flew on 27 January 1939. Improved versions followed and, by August 1945, a total of 9,923 Lightnings had been built. Throughout the war years, the Lightning served in many areas , but it was particularly successful in the Pacific theatre where its long-range and twin-engined capabilities proved to be most effective. In order to meet an urgent RAAF requirement for photographic reconnaissance, three P-38Es were transferred from the USAAC for service with No 1 Photographic Reconnaissance Unit. A55-1, was received on 31 August 1942, and operated successfully until it was written-off in a landing accident on 2 August 1944 at Coomalie Creek. A55-2, had a less spectacular career and operated only between 4 September 1942 and 18 December 1942, being phased out of service on the latter date. The third Lightning, A55-3 was received from the on 27 February 1943 and operated throughout the year until it was written-off in a wheels-up landing on 10 December 1943. The P-38E was not actually designed as a PR aircraft, but circumstances caused it to be used in this role by the RAAF.
General characteristics
Performance
Length: 37 ft 10 in (11.53 m)
Wingspan: 52 ft 0 in (15.85 m)
Height: 9 ft 10 in (3.00 m)
Wing area: 327.5 ft² (30.43 m²)
Empty weight: 12,780 lb (5,800 kg)
Max takeoff weight: 21,600 lb (9,798 kg)
Powerplant: 2× Allison V-1710-111/113 supercharged V-12, 1,600 hp (1,194 kW)
Stall speed: 105 mph (170 km/h)
Range: 1,100 mi combat, 2,600 mi ferry (1,770 km / 3,640 km)
Service ceiling: 44,000 ft (13,400 m)
Rate of climb: 4,750 ft/min (1,448 m/min)