The Lockheed P-38 Lightning was
used in many roles throughout the Second World War, becoming a
fighter, escort and
interceptor. It had the rare ability to fly at high altitudes
and choose when it wanted to attack.
The aircraft performed dive-bombing, level bombing, ground
strafing and photographic reconnaissance. It could fly with
great manoeuvrability at a ceiling of 12,192 meters, and at
speeds between 442 and 666 kilometres per hour. With the
addition of droppable fuel tanks, the aircraft could also fly on
long-range missions.
In the Pacific, the P-38 could fly faster, turn faster at
high altitudes, and dive faster than the Japanese Zero, even
out-performing the P-47 when it was developed and used during
the Second World War.
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