P-38/F-5E Lightning. ITALERI 2681

The Lockheed P-38 Lightning was without a doubt one of the most original aircrafts of the 2nd World War. It was a revolutionary heavy bomber for its twin-boom fuselage, in which two Allison V engines were installed, with the pilot accommodated in an advanced cockpit at the centre of the aircraft. The Lockheed P-38 was very sturdy, reliable and stable thanks to its engines which “rotated” in the opposite direction. From the famous twin-engine bomber was born the version destined for reconnaissance and strategic tactics called the F-5E of which more than 500 samples were made. Substantially deriving from the P-38J or the P-38L, the Lockheed F-5E was equipped with two Allison 12 cylinder V turbo compression 1.475 hp engines which propelled the plane to over 660 Km/h. L’F-5E was equipped with as many as 6 cameras with different filming angles ideal for air reconnaissance. Its reconnaissance role was carried out in an outstanding way also thanks to the aircraft’s operative ceiling. The high altitudes which it could reach made it difficult to be intercepted by enemy bombers.