            HEXMEISTERS!   For your hexing pleasures,

            U.S. Aircraft and sub-types of WWII
                    part 1 of 8
                   P-38 Lightning

                     P-38

               max speed     390 mph
               cruise speed  310 mph
               ceiling       39000 ft
               rate of climb 3200 fpm
               range         825 to 1500 miles
               armament      4 .50 cal mg
                             1 37mm cannon
               30 built.
               The first production version, this variant
               was not combat worthy and was used mostly
               for training.

                     P-38D

               max speed     390 mph
               cruise speed  300 mph
               ceiling       39000 ft
               rate of climb 20000 ft in 8min.
               range         400 to 975 miles
               armament      4 .50 cal mg
                             1 37mm cannon
               36 built
               The first operational variant. Self-sealing
               fuel tanks, extra armor,flares, and an
               improved oxygen system added. Fuel reduced
               from 410 to 300 gal. to save weight.

                     P-38E

               max speed     395 mph
               cruise speed  300 mph
               rate of climb 20000 ft in 8 min.
               range         500 miles
               armament      4 .50 cal mg
                             1 20mm cannon
               210 built
               A 20mm cannon replaced the 37mm. Most of
               these were used for training. Some saw
               service in New Guinea.  The first variant
               converted to F-4 Photo-Recon aircraft.


                   P-38F

               max speed     395 mph
               cruise speed  305 mph
               rate of climb 20000 ft in 8.8 min.
               range         3100 miles
               armament      same

               543 built
               The first variant to see service in Europe,
               ferry flights beginning in June, 1942.
               It also had pylons installed for 165 gal.
               Drop tanks or 2 1000lb bombs. Many of these
               were transferred to Africa with the 14th
               FG.
                     P-38G

               Same as P-38F except no superchargers
               built for British who refused it.
               Renamed P-322, Re-engined and used by the
               US Army, mostly for training.
               524 built, production split between P-38F,
               P-38G, and P-322

                     P-38H

               max speed     402 mph
               cruise speed  300 mph
               rate of climb 2600 fpm
               range         300 to 2400 miles
               armament      same
               601 built, also 128 built as F-5C photo
               recon.
               Pylon weight increased to 3200lb.
               Increasing bombs to two 1600lb bombs.
               Better superchargers added, increasing
               power above 25,000 ft. Began service with
               55FG in England.

                     P-38J

               max speed     414 mph
               cruise speed  290 mph
               rate of climb 2860 fpm
               range         450 to 2600 miles
               armament      same
               2,970 built including photo recon versions
               Different radiators used changing look of
               engine intake also adding increased power.
               Added fuel tanks bringing capacity back to
               410 gal. Dive flaps added to control speed
               in steep dives. Improved heating and de-
               icing. These began showing up in Italy and
               England in early 1943. First to become
               "Droop Snoot".

                     P-38L

               max speed     414 mph
               cruise speed  290 mph
               rate of climb 2860 fpm
               range         450 to 2635 miles
               armament      same
               3,810 built
               Baically same as J but with rocket
               connections standardized. Also other minor
               improvements. Some factory modified as B-
               38, or Droop Snoot Lightning. This had no
               armament with the guns replaced by a
               plexiglas nose housing a bombadier. This
               would lead an element of normal P-38's
               which would drop their bombs on his order.

                     P-38M
               Modified P-38L into a nightfighter due to
               delay of the P-61's production. Extra
               cockpit added behind pilot with AN/APS-4
               radar. Also blast muzzles on guns.
               75 built

               Next: P-39 and P-40
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