Originally shared by +Fly By Photography
January 27, 1937 marks the date of the first flight of the Lockheed P-38 Lightning. The P-38, designed for the US Army Air Corps in 1937, features two booms containing the engines with a central pod making up the cockpit. The P-38 was the only US fighter aircraft that was in production when the US entered World War II to the end of the war. The Germans called the P-38 the Fork-Tailed Devil. The Japanese called it Two Planes, One Pilot.
Over 10,000 P-38s were produced. Of that total, only 5 are still airworthy. The P-38 Lightning in my photograph belongs to Fagen Fighters World War II Museum in Granite Falls, Minnesota. She arrived at Culpeper Airport on the morning of May 7, 2015 to take part in the Arsenal of Democracy Fly Over of Washington DC on May 8th, the 75th anniversary of VE Day.
"Misty Morning Arrival"
http://goo.gl/z1qsd2
Delayed by weather on the way from Minnesota, Fagen Fighter's P-38 Lighting, Ruff Stuff, finally arrives at Culpeper Airport at 7:30 am on May 7, 2015, for the Arsenal of Democracy.
#warbird #p38 #lightning #p38lightning #plane #usaaf #armyairforces #airforce #aviation #photography #canon #flybyphotography
Such a shame that only 5 P-38s are still airworthy. .
My favorite warplane.
http://www.planesoffame.org/
There's a great example in a nearby museum.
Another name I've heard the IJN call it was the twin tailed demon in contrast to what the Germans called it. Unofficially of course. I'm basing this off a veteran I talked to.
The P-38 is to me what the Tomcat is. My all time favorites.