Lockheed P-38H-5-LO Lightning

Nostalgistic · April 30, 2022

Welcome! This time, I am introducing the Lockheed P-38H-5-LO Lightning.

Overview

Aircraft: Lockheed P-38H-5-LO Lightning

Role: Heavy Fighter

Snapshot:

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Background

Spoiler

P-38H Lightning was an improved variant of P-38G. It featured a new 20mm M-2C cannon instead of the old M-1 cannon. It was capable of carrying 3,200 lb of underwing bombs. It was fitted and powered by 1425 hp Allison V-1710-89/91 engines with new coolant shutters, turbosuperchargers, and automatic oil radiator flaps to solve overheating problems.

Same for the P-38Gs, the performance of P-38Hs was restricted by an intercooler system integral to the wing’s leading edge, and it was an inferior cooling system designed for precedent variants’ old engines. Their engines were subjected to detonation if operated at high power for extended periods. The P-38Hs were restricted to 1,240 hp, a total loss of 370 hp which is 160 less than the P-38G. Although this was deemed to be the fact, the P-38H was reportedly to fly two mph faster than the P-38G. The restricted performance of P-38H did not allow the maneuvering flap to be used at high altitudes for dog fighting battles. Those problems were resolved by a newly designed P-38J that would replace P-38Gs and P-38Hs by August 1943 and after forward.

The P-38H was the standard version of the Lightning during the second half of 1943. It is considered an intermediate design between P-38G and P-38J. 601 P-38Hs were built with two production blocks (226 H-1s and 375 H-5s). Serials of the P-38H production run were as follows:

42-13559 Lockheed P-38H-1-LO Lightning
42-66502/66726 Lockheed P-38H-1-LO Lightning
42-66727/67101 Lockheed P-38H-5-LO Lightning

The first of 226 P-38H-1-LOs went into service in May of 1943, and these P-38Hs debuted their first operational service in England in September 1943 to escort the heavy bombers of the Eighth Air Force.

The main difference between P-38H-1-LOs and P-38H-5-LOs was that the P-38H-5-LO was fitted with B-33 instead of B-13 turbosuperchargers which gave improved high-altitude.

Specifications

General Characteristics

Crew: 1 (Pilot)
Length: 37 feet, 10 inches
Height: 12 feet, 10 inches
Span: 52 feet
Powerplant: 2x Engines, Allison V-1710-89 (on Right) and V-1710-91 (on Left)
Horsepower: 1,425, limited to 1,240
Empty Weight: 12,380 lb (5,615 kilograms)
Gross Weight: 20,300 lb (9,207 kilograms)

Performance

Speed: 402 mph at 25,000 feet
Cruising Speed: 250 mph
Minutes to Climb at 20,000 feet: 6.5 minutes
Service Ceiling: 40,000 feet
Combat Range: 350 miles
Ferrying Range w/ External Tanks: 2,400 miles.

Armament

Guns

4 x .50 cal Heavy Machine Guns (2000 Rounds)
1 x 20 mm M2(C) Cannon (150 Rounds)

Bombs

Up to 3,200 lb (up to 1,600 lb on two underwing racks)

Images

Spoiler

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Conclusion

The purpose of this suggestion is to, of course, expand WW2 aircraft content. The P-38H-5-LO would make a welcoming addition to the P-38 Lightning family in War Thunder.

In my opinion, the P-38H-5-LO could be a great addition to a folder with P-38G in the tech tree.