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She was a good multi role aircraft.
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DerAdlerIstGelandet said:The P-38 Lightning was in the ETO/MTO from the beginning of the US entry into the War I believe.
CurzonDax said:DerAdlerIstGelandet said:The P-38 Lightning was in the ETO/MTO from the beginning of the US entry into the War I believe.
Wow with the Lightning in the Great War even the Red Baron would have been easy pickings. And who said we didn't have good planes in that one! (Just kidding with ya dude!)
;{)
DerAdlerIstGelandet said:The P-38 Lightning was in the ETO/MTO from the beginning of the US entry into the War II believe.
The 1st, 14th and 82nd Fighter Groups were transferred from England to the 12th Air Force in North Africa to support Operation Torch, the invasion of North Africa in October of 1942. While en route to Algeria, 2 German Ju-88 bombers were shot down by pilots of the 82nd FG over the Bay of Biscay.
The first combat in the North African campaign for the P-38 was on November 19, 1942. P-38Fs from the 1st fighter group escorted B-17s on a bombing mission to El Aouina airfield in Tunis. The P-38s did help to establish air superiority over North African skies, but the Lightning's successes were mixed. On April 5, 1943, 31 enemy aircraft were downed by 26 P-38Fs from the 82nd FG, with the friendly losses at 6 lost. Due to the enemy tactics, the Lightnings were often forced to dogfight at 15,000 feet. In fighter engagements, the maneuverability was affected partly by the twin engines, partly by the wheel control instead of a stick. But it was highly effective against the bombers and it caused a great deal of destruction of the transports used to resupply Rommel. The transports were often attacked well out to sea, causing a complete loss of the aircraft, crew and supplies. This was one of the contributing factors to Rommel's surrender in North Africa. During the North African campaign, 37 pilots of the 12th air force had become aces. Among these, Lt. WJ Sloan of the 82nd FG had 12 kills and Lt. HT Hanna of the 14th FG downed five Ju-87 bombers in one day on October 9, 1943 to become an "Ace in one day".
The P-38F was the most common variant during the campaign in North Africa, but there were also a few G models as well.
The top ace of the MTO was a pilot of the 82nd FG, William "Dixie" Sloan. Most of his missions were escort duties for B-26 bombing runs. During these missions, he scored 12 aerial victories.