What was the armament on a P-38 Lightning?

Part of the specification also called for the fighter to be substantially armed and the P-38 was thusly fitted with a base armament of 1 x 37mm cannon (later downgraded to a 20mm caliber) and a battery of 4 x 12.7mm Browning machine guns, all mounted in the nose.

What guns did the P-38 have?

The P-38J, in service by the spring of 1944, had a top speed of 414 miles (666 km) per hour and a ceiling of 44,000 feet (13,400 metres); it was armed with a 0.8-inch (20-mm) automatic cannon and four 0.50-inch (12.7-mm) machine guns.

Did the P-38 carry bombs?

P-38 variants were used as pursuit fighters, bomber escorts, ground-attack fighters, radar-equipped night fighters, light bombers, and target-marking pathfinders. The Lightning could carry a two-ton bomb load – as much as some medium bombers – drop its bombs, and immediately convert to a ground attack role.

Who shot down most planes in ww2?

While serving in Germany’s Luftwaffe in World War II, Erich Hartmann flew more than 1,400 missions in the Messerschmitt Bf 109, enabling him to score an astonishing 352 kills. How did Hartmann get so good at dominating the skies over the Eastern Front?

Why is it called a P-38 can opener?

This 1.5-inch tool was designed to open C-Rations during WWII. The “P” may stand for puncture and “38” for the number of cuts it took to go around the can. The hole in the P-38 was used to dip it in boiling water to sterilize after use. Many consider it the most perfect tool ever designed for combat.

What was the most feared bomber in ww2?

Junkers Ju87 Widely known as the “Stuka”, the Ju87 was one of the most feared aircraft during World War Two. It had a fearsome siren which terrified those who heard it. Lockheed Hudson Useful aeroplane. The wooden lifeboat was designed to be dropped by Hudsons to rescue airmen who had ditched.

What is the difference between a P-38 and p51 can opener?

The P-51 is the larger version of the P-38 and was often used by mess hall cooks to open the big trays and large cans of chow. The P-51 is a full 2″ long. The added length affords more leverage and doesn’t require as much thumb pressure to use.

What was the most successful fighter plane of ww2?

The P-51
The P-51 is widely regarded as the finest all-around piston-engined fighter of World War II to have been produced in significant numbers. Approximately 1,500 Merlin-powered Mustangs were used by the RAF for daylight duties over Europe, and the plane was produced under license in Australia toward the end of the war.