Uploaded December 2022 | Updated September 2026, 2 hours ago

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Lockheed P-38 Lightning is one of the most recognizable fighter planes of WWII. Despite famous episodes in which it participated, such as the shootdown of Admiral Yamamoto, this aircraft might be a bit underrated compared to some other fighters. For example, did you know which airplane first escorted Allied heavy bombers all the way to Germany? Which top American aces flew the P-38? Which famous writer of the 20th century was a P-38 pilot? In what unusual location did the first confirmed kill for the P-38 take place and who scored the first American kill against the Luftwaffe? Again, in a rather unusual place.

Main sources:
- John Stanaway - P-38 Lightning Aces 1942–43
amzn.to/3WxoX6J
- John Stanaway - P-38 Lightning Aces of the ETO/MTO
amzn.to/3W7fp2d
- Roger Freeman - American Eagles, Volume 2: P-38 Lightning Units of The Eighth and Ninth Air Forces
amzn.to/3HQxZYe
- Martin Caiden - Fork-Tailed Devil
amzn.to/3v2FhAu
- Warren M. Bodie - The Lockheed P-38 Lightning
amzn.to/3Vat3AD
- Der Gabelschwanz Teufel - Assessing the Lockheed P-38 Lightning
ausairpower.net/P-38-Analysis.html
- Mysteries of Flight: The Disappearance of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
planeandpilotmag.com/article/the-disappearance-of-antoine-de-saint-exupery

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#militaryaviationhistory #p38 #wwii