Military Propellor Planes
Lockheed Martin P-3 Orion
ICAO: P3
Overview
The Lockheed P-38 Lightning stood out from every other fighter of its era with its distinctive twin-boom design and central cockpit nacelle. Developed before World War II, it became one of the United States’ most versatile combat aircraft, serving as a fighter, interceptor, reconnaissance platform, and ground-attack aircraft across multiple theaters.
Specifications
Units
- Engine
- 2 × Allison V-1710-111/113
- Engine type
- Piston
- Power
- 2 × 1,600 hp · 1,193 kW
- Avionics
- —
- Wing tips
- No winglets
- Seats
- 1
- Crew
- —
- Cabin width
- —
- Cabin height
- —
- Cabin length
- —
- Exterior length
- 37 ft 10 in · 11.53 m
- Tail height
- 12 ft 10 in · 3.90 m
- Fuselage diameter
- 3 ft 3 in · 1.00 m
- Wing span
- 52 ft 0 in · 15.85 m
- Baggage volume
- —
- Gross weight
- —
- Empty weight
- —
- Max takeoff weight
- 21,600 lb · 9,800 kg
- Max landing weight
- 17,500 lb · 7,950 kg
- Max payload
- 3,950 lb · 1,800 kg
- Fuel capacity
- 1,160 gal · 4,400 L · 3,200 kg (AvGas)
- Max cruise speed
- 360 kt · 414 mph · 667 km/h
- Maximum speed
- —
- Cruise speed
- —
- Approach speed
- 91 kt · 105 mph · 169 km/h
- Range
- 1,995 nm · 2,300 mi · 3,690 km
- Fuel burn
- —
- Ceiling
- 44,000 ft · 13,400 m
- Rate of climb
- 4,750 ft/min · 24 m/s
- Takeoff distance
- 2,200 ft · 670 m
- Landing distance
- 2,300 ft · 700 m
Gallery
(/)
tap to zoom
(/)
Operational Context
Lockheed P-38 Lightning — speed, range, and firepower in a radical design
The Lockheed P-38 Lightning first flew in 1939 and entered operational service in 1941. Designed by Lockheed’s engineering team under Kelly Johnson, it featured an unconventional twin-boom layout that housed its twin Allison V-1710 liquid-cooled engines. This configuration allowed the aircraft to carry heavy armament concentrated in the nose, improving accuracy compared to wing-mounted guns.
The P-38 was one of the first U.S. fighters capable of exceeding 400 miles per hour. Its turbo-supercharged engines gave it strong high-altitude performance and extended range, making it well suited for long-distance escort missions in the Pacific Theater. The aircraft’s endurance proved particularly valuable in operations over vast ocean distances.
Armed typically with four .50 caliber machine guns and a 20 mm cannon mounted in the nose, the P-38 delivered significant firepower. It also carried bombs and rockets for ground-attack missions. The Lightning was used effectively in Europe, the Mediterranean, and the Pacific, where it played a key role in intercepting enemy aircraft and supporting ground forces.
Several variants were produced, including the F-4 and F-5 reconnaissance versions, which conducted high-speed photo missions. The P-38 was also the aircraft used in the 1943 mission that resulted in the interception and death of Japanese Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto.
The P-38 Lightning remains one of the most distinctive fighters of World War II. Its innovative design, long range, and versatility secured its place as one of the most important American combat aircraft of the conflict.
Sources and references used for research and fact-checking.