Lockheed P-38D Lightning

Nostalgistic · April 29, 2022

Welcome! This time, I am introducing the Lockheed P-38D Lightning.

Overview

Aircraft: Lockheed P-38D Lightning

Role: Heavy Fighter

Snapshot:

Um6lqqv7_cez0LlUdbcd81ZhG0FhzcwAM_4l9C3u

Background

Spoiler

The P-38D is the second production variant after the P-38 as the initial production aircraft. There were 36 P-38Ds built, and their main role was to work out the flaws and give the US Army Air Force experience with the P-38s. The P-38D differed from the initial production variant in having low-pressure oxygen, self-sealing fuel tanks, a retractable landing light, and provision for flares. It also had a modified tailplane incidence with a redistribution of elevator mass balances, provided an advantage of elevator control, and eliminated air disturbances during the dive recovery. The P-38D was installed with an armored windshield. Those features became standard on all subsequent production variants. The guns on P-38D’s nose were arranged symmetrically, and this was changed to staggered in the P-38E and later variants. The first P-38Ds began to reach the air service in August 1941. The P-38 series was considered named “Atlanta;” however, the P-38D and later variants were officially given “Lightning” by the US Army Air Corps. P-38Ds were among P-38s that participated in September 1941 Army-Navy joint maneuvers in Louisiana. By December 1941, there were only 69 P-38 and P-38D fighters available for combat uses. Changes were taking place so fast that the changes introduced on the P-38D led to restricting the P-38Ds to non-combat roles. They were redesignated RP-38Ds as the R prefix stood for non-combat roles, and they were used strictly as combat trainers for the remainder of the war.

Specifications

General Characteristics

Crew: 1 (Pilot)
Length: 37 feet, 9 13/16 inches
Height: 9 feet, 9 ¾ inches
Span: 52 feet
Powerplant: 2x Engines, Allison V-1710-27 (on Right) and V-1710-29 (On Left)
Empty Weight: 11,700 lb (5,307 kilograms)
Gross Weight: 14,900 lb (6,758 kilograms)

Performance

Speed: 390 mph at 25,000 feet
Service Ceiling: 39,000 feet

Armament

Guns

4 x .50 cal Heavy Machine Guns (800 Rounds)
1 x 37 mm M4 Cannon (15 Rounds)

Images

Spoiler

FcRmHf54WGPfAxL-Vgc0ENRoatBDGFcyg4lT41I6

2eu_FReyESZ7b4BslYLEXEdn0Cq-JIQGfEzYWUnq

7Wx7HhKaYmWtussZrxa6M4eOAEOUg0oPNsNT9Ryw

Conclusion

The purpose of this suggestion is to, of course, expand WW2 aircraft content. The P-38D would make a welcoming addition to the P-38 Lightning family in War Thunder.

In my opinion, the P-38D, as the regular tech tree aircraft, could be a great opportunity for us to use its 37mm cannon, given that the YP-38 with 37mm cannon is premium.