                The Lockheed P-38F "Lightning"

It was in North Africa that the P-38 earned its nickname of
"der Gabelschwanz Teufel" (forked-tail devil) from the
Germans.  The P-38E was the first of the Lightnings to
replace the 37mm cannon in the nose with a 20mm.  The P-38F
followed soon after, and was the main model that fought in
North Africa, starting in November 1942.  The P-38F
introduced a 1,325 hp Allison V-1710-49/53 engine, underwing
bomb racks for up to 2,000 pounds of bombs, and maneuvering
flaps (the high wing loading was a disadvantage in combat,
and the flaps improved the turn rate over earlier
Lightnings.)  Top speed was 395 mph at 25,000 feet, crusing
speed was 305 mph, with a ceiling of 39,000 feet and a range
of 425 miles (without drop tanks).  Total production was 527
planes.
The P-38G was essentially the same as the F model, except
for slightly better engines (1,325 hp V-1710-51/55s) minor
detail changes, and a 200 pound drop in weight.  Production
of the P-38G was 1,082 planes.

The next step forward from the G model was the P-38H, which
is covered in the SWOTL Tour of Duty for the P38.
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