
The P-38 represented a radical change in American fighter philosophy.
Its first flight took place on January 27, 1939, and production aircraft began arriving in October 1941, just in time for the start of the war.
One of its most notable feats was the interception and destruction of an aircraft carrying Japanese Admiral Yamamoto, resulting in his death.
The P-38L was a further development of the P-38J, allowing the P-38 to reach its full potential.
It featured self-sealing fuel tanks and armor plating for the pilot.
The aircraft was equipped with four .50-caliber machine guns and a 20 mm cannon.
It could carry 4,000 pounds of bombs or ten 5-inch rockets.
When the United States entered World War II, the P-38 was the fastest and most heavily armed fighter aircraft. The P-38L, of which 3,848 were built, was the most frequently produced model.
Dive flaps, introduced with the final block of the P-38J, were now standard.
High aileron control forces, which caused a creaking roll rate on earlier 38s, were remedied by the installation of hydraulically boosted ailerons.
Plastic model kit
- With photo-etched parts
Scale 1:32
unbuilt / unpainted
Paint and glue not included
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