Lockheed P-38 Lightning (Osprey Production Line to Frontline 3) by Michael O'Leary

Osprey Production Line to Frontline #3

by Michael O'Leary

The 'Cadillac' of USAAF fighters in World War 2, the Lightning was a highly innovative design produced by Lockheed of Burbank, California, in response to a challenging requirement for a long range, high speed and high altitude fighter to escort the AAF's rapidly expanding B-17 bomber fleet. To meet the criterion laid down in the requirement the company adopted a revolutionary twin boom layout and supercharged Allison engines. The latter initially proved troublesome, but the gremlins were eventually sorted out and the type went into action both in Europe and the Pacific.

Paperback

First published May 1, 1999

About the author

Various authors
For the New Zealand poet & author, see https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...

Reviews

[Martin Koenigsberg · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is another gem of a book about a WWII Aircraft - in the Osprey "Production Line to Frontline"Series- covering the Lockheed P-38 Lightning- the "Fork-Tail Devil" that shot down so many Axis aircraft. Again- the focus is on the development and production of the plane- although there is more than enough combat coverage elsewhere so you won't miss it. There is fascinating information on the type - other shortlived variants, some important improvements during production, other engines considered, information about the lesser known PhotoRecon models (1/8th of production!)- as well as an article on Dick Bong- the type's top Ace - and a great photo collection of the P-38 Aces. There's more -but its all on point and well narrated and illustrated.

This was another type first ordered by the British- but of course they were also developing the "wooden Wonder" the Mosquito- perhaps the only better allied two engine fighter. But the early teething issues that turned the Brits off were solved by good old american Ingenuity - and the Lockheed Design legend "Kelly" Johnson- who would go on to design the U-2 and the SR-71! The result was a fast, quick, durable long distance fighter- the perfect killer weapon to say, -fly a few hundred miles and shoot down a Japanese Legendary Admiral- as was done in 1943- to Yamamoto- the architect of Pearl Harbour. This book shows you how the whole P-38 Program got started- how it improved- and how it was used. I found it compelling in understanding how the "Arsenal Of Democracy" really worked in this case.

This is a fine book for any Junior reader over about 10-11 years old, with no adult themes or injury discussions. For the Gamer/Modeller/Military Enthusiast- a total score. Well there's not that much for the gamer- but the modeller/enthusiast gets just a plethora of shots of interiors, cool exteriors, and very interesting information on how they were put together. The Colour plates are lovely period ads- getting you in that WWII mood. There are lots of great Diorama ideas on every third page, and wonderful line drawings of key variants. A strong rec for the WWII/Aviation reader.

[Stephen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't know what the previous reviewer was babbling about, "for the junior reader", and he looks abit old for a gamer. I'm getting on abit myself, I found this book to be a great read and informative to a degree, given the slim size of the book.l also have fw 190 book, would like to get the p 51 book some day if it turns up in a local secondhand bookshop and the rest of the series perhaps. Highly recommended !