P-38J Lightning
Lockheed P-38J 'Lightning', CL-T 'Stinger'
338th F.S. 55th F.G. 8th USAAF ETO, Early 1944.
Scale 1:144 Wingspan 4.4" (111 mm)
Base size 4.84" (123 mm) square (No. 3)
Weight not including base 3.1 ozs (75 grams)
Total number of models produced 83
This rugged twin engined fighter was powered Allison turbosupercharged engines
giving excellent high altitude performance and long range. It was armed
with 4 x .50 in machine guns and 1 x 20 mm cannon, had a tremendous rate
of climb and a top speed of over 400 mph. More than 10000 P-38 Lightnings
were manufactured during WW II, however it was much more successful outside
the European Theatre of operations, particularly in the Pacific. This aircraft
named 'Stinger* was operated by the 55th Fighter Group (The Panthers) as
a member of the 8th USAAF from September 1943 to July 1944. The 55th was
the first Fighter Group to escort B17's to Berlin and back using only onboard
fuel.
