Lockheed Lightning I production

[Jay Flynn]

Several sources seem to point to significant pre-PH production of Lightning Is that the British Purchasing Commission refused to accept due to performance. Anyone have info on this?

 

[tomo pauk]

No performance for the Lightning I (as it can be expected for the aircraft ordered in early 1940, a few being shipped in winter of 1941/42 in the same shape) -> too late; it was also too expensive for 1941-42 (cash and carry contract).
Most of the non-turboed Lightnings were delivered to the USAAF, had the engines changed and were used as trainers.

 

[Vincenzo]

For the statistical digest early P-38 production, actually acceptances, was
1 in september '40
1 in january '41
2 in march '41
4 each in april, may and june '41
23 in july '41
26 in august '41
12 in september '41
3 in october '41
74 in november '41
52 in december '41

 

[FLYBOYJ]

I was told many years ago that the British purchase of the P-38 was actually a ploy to help Lockheed keep the production line open as there was a gap between 2 US government contracts. The production of the British P-38s filled that gap. I heard this on 2 occasions from 2 pretty reliable sources.

 

[Jay Flynn]

For the statistical digest early P-38 production, actually acceptances, was
1 in september '40
1 in january '41
2 in march '41
4 each in april, may and june '41
23 in july '41
26 in august '41
12 in september '41
3 in october '41
74 in november '41
52 in december '41

Thank you, interesting data, but I assume that those numbers are USAAF acceptances, not RAF production numbers. Does anyone know when P-322s were acquired?

 

[mjfur]

Lightning I for RAF

Lockheed P-38 Lightning

 

[Jay Flynn]

So, the phrase I ran across was that "in the days after PH" or "in the chaos after PH" or something like that 40 Lightning Is at the Lockheed factory were pressed into operational service on the west coast

 

[Vincenzo]

I can add the acceptances of '42, monthly
32, 113, 80, 100, 100, 85, 170, 60, 132, 145, 124, 124

 

[GregP]

Here's what I have for US Fighter Production.

 

[Vincenzo]

For the P-38 they are the same of the Statistical Digest only Dean add the recce variant that in the Statistcal Digest have a separate entry, and are ever acceptances