P-38 Lightning in Service The versatile Lightning performed many different missions during World War II, including dive bombing, level bombing, bombing through clouds, strafing, photo reconnaissance and long range escort. It first went into large-scale service during the North African campaign in November 1942, where the German pilots named it Der Gabelschwanz Teufel ("The Forked-Tail Devil"). When the Lightning began combat operations from England in September 1943, it was the only fighter with

Fast, powerful, and deadly—the P-38 Lightning helped protect Allied bombers, strike enemy oil refineries, and dominate the skies in both Europe and the Pacific. By war’s end, it had downed more Japanese aircraft than any other Allied plane. See this icon up close today ⚡ #HistoricAircraft #WWIIPlanes #WarbirdNation #AirMuseum | Warhawk Air Museum

Huge shoutout to Ezell Aviation for their incredible work on the restoration of our P-38J Lightning “Jandina III”! #FHCAM #P38Lightning #WWIIAircraft #WarbirdRestoration | Flying Heritage & Combat Armor Museum