Author Topic: Lockheed P-38 Lightning Ideas and Inspiration  (Read 63110 times)

Offline Weaver

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Re: Lockheed P-38 Lightning Ideas and Inspiration
« Reply #75 on: August 05, 2013, 10:19:39 AM »
If the Sea Venom and Sea Vixen could manage to land on carriers despite having a twin-boom layout then I don't see that a "Sea Lightning" should have any inherent problems.
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Offline Jeffry Fontaine

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Re: Lockheed P-38 Lightning Ideas and Inspiration
« Reply #76 on: August 05, 2013, 11:34:45 AM »
SAAF, RAAF, and RNZAF Lightnings.
The RAAF actually was an operator
http://www.adastron.com/lockheed/lightning/75sqn.htm

http://www.adf-serials.com.au/2a55.shtml

Although a total of five doesn't really count
Thanks for setting me straight.  That was five more than I was aware of.  :)

If the Sea Venom and Sea Vixen could manage to land on carriers despite having a twin-boom layout then I don't see that a "Sea Lightning" should have any inherent problems.

The Sea Venom fuselage would not look out of place replacing the same parts on a P-38 Lightning. 
« Last Edit: August 05, 2013, 11:37:19 AM by Jeffry Fontaine »
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Offline Volkodav

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Re: Lockheed P-38 Lightning Ideas and Inspiration
« Reply #77 on: August 05, 2013, 11:34:58 AM »
Forward visibility would be good, the big issue I perceive is the crash barrier, no prop in front of the pilot to catch the barrier wires

Offline Rickshaw

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Re: Lockheed P-38 Lightning Ideas and Inspiration
« Reply #78 on: August 08, 2013, 12:22:58 PM »
I think vision over the nose might actually be a bit of a problem.  The P-38's cockpit is actually pretty low set and far back on the central nacelle.  Wouldn't be as a bad as a Corsair but might need a raised seat to work.

Offline GTX_Admin

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Re: Lockheed P-38 Lightning Ideas and Inspiration
« Reply #79 on: August 18, 2013, 12:29:22 PM »
SAAF, RAAF, and RNZAF Lightnings.


The RAAF actually was an operator
http://www.adastron.com/lockheed/lightning/75sqn.htm

http://www.adf-serials.com.au/2a55.shtml

Although a total of five doesn't really count


Red Roo actually do a 1/48 conversion for these:

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Offline elmayerle

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Re: Lockheed P-38 Lightning Ideas and Inspiration
« Reply #80 on: August 18, 2013, 12:50:28 PM »
I think vision over the nose might actually be a bit of a problem.  The P-38's cockpit is actually pretty low set and far back on the central nacelle.  Wouldn't be as a bad as a Corsair but might need a raised seat to work.

Perhaps with the extended center nacelle and forward cockpit position of Lockheed's test "Swordfish" Lightning?

Offline Old Wombat

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Re: Lockheed P-38 Lightning Ideas and Inspiration
« Reply #81 on: August 18, 2013, 01:18:32 PM »
OK, I haven't looked through this entire thread so I don't know if this has been mooted or not but...

For a naval P-38 (P-38N/F38F-1?), why not keep the basic airframe layout but move the cockpit forward in the centre nacelle & the guns back, set in farings similar to the B-25 & B-26? Not sure how many guns could be fitted but I'm guessing either 4 or 6, including 2 x 20mm.

It would give excellent visibility over the nose, considerably better side vision, possibly a slightly woozy flight for the pilot (being further from the CG) & not look quite as pretty.

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Offline Rickshaw

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Re: Lockheed P-38 Lightning Ideas and Inspiration
« Reply #82 on: August 18, 2013, 02:03:06 PM »
I think vision over the nose might actually be a bit of a problem.  The P-38's cockpit is actually pretty low set and far back on the central nacelle.  Wouldn't be as a bad as a Corsair but might need a raised seat to work.

Perhaps with the extended center nacelle and forward cockpit position of Lockheed's test "Swordfish" Lightning?

Had to go and look that up.  Yes, that'd work and as a twin seater you could have a navigator and use it for long range strikes.  I could envision the RN FAA being particularly interested as it would tick their boxes.  The forward cockpit position would be excellent for landing on.

Offline Diamondback

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Re: Lockheed P-38 Lightning Ideas and Inspiration
« Reply #83 on: August 18, 2013, 03:11:31 PM »
Basically make the P-38 a "Baby Black Widow"? LOL It could work...

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Re: Lockheed P-38 Lightning Ideas and Inspiration
« Reply #84 on: August 18, 2013, 03:18:07 PM »
I do like the Swordfish Lightning:


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Offline Rickshaw

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Re: Lockheed P-38 Lightning Ideas and Inspiration
« Reply #85 on: August 18, 2013, 05:05:44 PM »
The Swordfish Lightning has that degree of fineness about it which transforms the IMO "dumpy" P-38 into something quite good looking.

Offline Cliffy B

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Re: Lockheed P-38 Lightning Ideas and Inspiration
« Reply #86 on: August 19, 2013, 01:29:33 AM »
I agree Rick  8)

That rear seat and canopy arrangement just screams for a rear-seat gunner IMO!
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Re: Lockheed P-38 Lightning Ideas and Inspiration
« Reply #87 on: November 16, 2013, 04:28:33 AM »
Have a laugh:

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Offline PR19_Kit

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Re: Lockheed P-38 Lightning Ideas and Inspiration
« Reply #88 on: November 16, 2013, 05:10:49 AM »
That looks like Tophe's work............  ;) :)
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Offline elmayerle

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Re: Lockheed P-38 Lightning Ideas and Inspiration
« Reply #89 on: November 16, 2013, 05:41:48 AM »
OK, I haven't looked through this entire thread so I don't know if this has been mooted or not but...

For a naval P-38 (P-38N/F38F-1?), why not keep the basic airframe layout but move the cockpit forward in the centre nacelle & the guns back, set in farings similar to the B-25 & B-26? Not sure how many guns could be fitted but I'm guessing either 4 or 6, including 2 x 20mm.

It would give excellent visibility over the nose, considerably better side vision, possibly a slightly woozy flight for the pilot (being further from the CG) & not look quite as pretty.
Cockpit forward puts the pilot over the nose landing gear turnnion, much like the student pilot position on the two-seat trainers the Italians modified late in WW II or soon there-after.  It would teach one very smooth landings.
« Last Edit: November 16, 2013, 02:34:40 PM by elmayerle »

Offline Daryl J.

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Re: Lockheed P-38 Lightning Ideas and Inspiration
« Reply #90 on: November 16, 2013, 05:44:16 AM »
I haven't quite got the complete mental picture of it yet but hope someday to build up the Academy F-5 as a Lightning-meets-Burt Rutan and serves with the CIA.
kwyxdxLg5T

Offline finsrin

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Re: Lockheed P-38 Lightning Ideas and Inspiration
« Reply #91 on: November 16, 2013, 11:37:08 AM »
Six engine P-38  :-*
Be a fun kitbash......

Offline Volkodav

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Re: Lockheed P-38 Lightning Ideas and Inspiration
« Reply #92 on: November 16, 2013, 01:43:07 PM »
That looks like Tophe's work............  ;) :)
Exactly what I was thinking

Offline ysi_maniac

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Re: Lockheed P-38 Lightning Ideas and Inspiration
« Reply #93 on: December 26, 2013, 01:04:19 PM »
I DO love this conventional twin


Offline finsrin

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Re: Lockheed P-38 Lightning Ideas and Inspiration
« Reply #94 on: December 26, 2013, 02:53:33 PM »
I DO love this conventional twin


Me too  :-*

Offline ysi_maniac

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Re: Lockheed P-38 Lightning Ideas and Inspiration
« Reply #95 on: December 27, 2013, 02:41:41 AM »
Single boom twin tail P-38


Offline GTX_Admin

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Re: Lockheed P-38 Lightning Ideas and Inspiration
« Reply #96 on: December 27, 2013, 03:58:34 AM »
I DO love this conventional twin




I like!
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Offline The Big Gimper

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Re: Lockheed P-38 Lightning Ideas and Inspiration
« Reply #97 on: December 27, 2013, 06:17:36 AM »
Work in progress ::

I am giving up listing them. They all end up on the shelf of procrastination anyways.

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Offline GTX_Admin

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Re: Lockheed P-38 Lightning Ideas and Inspiration
« Reply #98 on: May 17, 2015, 05:59:15 AM »
Images of the floatplane proposal:



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Offline elmayerle

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Re: Lockheed P-38 Lightning Ideas and Inspiration
« Reply #99 on: June 25, 2016, 10:23:32 AM »
Odd thought - Late model P-38 re-equipped Allisons and four-bladed props from F-82.