The P-38 is the ALL TIME Best WW2 Fighter (PICS & VID)

Tue May 30, 2006 7:04 pm

I'll say it again. The Lockheed P-38 Lightning is the all time Best World War 2 Fighter.

Just thought I would throw that out there and d@mn the Nay Sayers.

Borrowed for Joe Baugher's awesome website:

"The Lockheed P-38 Lightning racked up an impressive series of "firsts"--it was the first Lockheed-designed military aircraft to go into series production, it was the first twin-engined interceptor to serve with the USAAC, it was the first production fighter powered by the Allison V-1710 in-line engine, it was the first modern fighter equipped with a tricycle landing gear, it was the first American plane to use butt-jointed flush riveted external surfaces, it was the first to make extensive use of stainless steel, it was the first fighter to use a bubble canopy right from the start, it was the first fighter with speeds over 400 mph, it was the first US twin-boom fighter to go into production, it was the first USAAF fighter to shoot down a German aircraft, it was the first USAAF fighter to carry out an escort mission to Berlin, it was the first USAAF plane to land in Japan after that country had surrendered, it was the heaviest US single-seat fighter of World War 2, it was the only American fighter in production at the time of Pearl Harbor to be still in production at the war's end, and it accounted for more Japanese aircraft destroyed in combat than any other US fighter.

A total of 10,037 Lockheed Lightnings were built."

Shay
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Semper Fortis :twisted:

Last edited by Shay on Wed May 31, 2006 7:03 am, edited 1 time in total.

Tue May 30, 2006 7:17 pm

For your viewing pleasure: :wink:

Shay
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Semper Fortis

Wed May 31, 2006 9:17 am

I'll take everyone's silence as an exceptance of the truth. :lol:

Just kidding lot's of great designs came out in that era on either of the many sides of the war. Just thought I would take the moment to share my pictures of Glacier Girl.

Shay
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Semper Fortis

Wed May 31, 2006 9:36 am

I may be getting a chance to visit the Museum this summer, I really look forward to seeing GG. I hoped to get to see it fly, I still have that hope but not for this year.

Tim

Wed May 31, 2006 10:44 am

Yeah I'm really not sure what lie's in the future for GG.

Shay
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Semper Fortis

Wed May 31, 2006 11:54 am

Thanks Shay! I still like the Mustang as my personal favorite.

Wed May 31, 2006 12:26 pm

I can't disagree. (Although I can't get into the back seat. Or did you already know that?)

Mudge the large

Wed May 31, 2006 2:09 pm

I am really hopeful that, in the year or so, the recovery of the remaining 5 P-38s in greenland will come to fruition. GG is one of my all time favorite recoverys and I would love to see the others come out. Definatly will be an awesome adventure to be sure.

Shay
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Semper Fortis

Wed May 31, 2006 2:22 pm

Shay...You know you're talking tens of millions, don't you?

Mudge the accountant

Wed May 31, 2006 5:20 pm

What is "Tens of Millions" in Euros?

Anyways the recovery team in Europe is calling the shot it's their money. I'm just on the sidelines calling the score. Actually I'm not quite conviced that it would cost 10s of Millions. Glacier Girl was recovered for under 1 million, if I recall correctly in the area of $800, 000. Regardless I hope that the team covers the recovery as it happens. It was really nice to watch the Lake Murray B-25 be recovered live Via webcam. I'd like to see the same thing happen with the Greenland recoveries.

Shay
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Semper Fortis

Wed May 31, 2006 5:22 pm

The P-38 has always been my favorite fighter.......

Wed May 31, 2006 6:52 pm

I just seem to remember hearing that Glacier Girl had about $10 million invested in her as of the day Steve Hinton first flew her.
(10 million Euros is $12.8 million US.)

Mudge the accountant

ps. How did this thread get 3 feet wide? :shock:

Wed May 31, 2006 6:59 pm

OK, let's separate sex appeal from real world experience. As a son of one who knew, although I too love the 38, the Mustang, and the razorback P-47 (in reverse order) Dad flew 40's, 38's and 47's while in China and "his alltime favorite" to his death was the Jug. He hated the 38 for it's nasty traits yet his best buddy was just the opposite. So, is there a best? Only in the eyes of the beholder, me thinks.

Wed May 31, 2006 9:03 pm

Shay,

any chance of sending the vid files ?? I am having trouble with the link and I always like to see GOOD vid of lightnings !

Paul

Wed May 31, 2006 9:56 pm

I went out to MAPS Air Museum tonight for an airshow meeting (June 17-18th) Much to my surprise the P-38 was already there sporting it's fresh paint scheme. If any of you are in the area stop in, scuttlebut is that it will be hangered here for a couple of months. So here's my P-38 contribution to this thread.