Lockheed XP-58 Chain Lightning

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pampa14

Airman 1st Class
126
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May 14, 2013
The XP-58 was the largest version of the series of aircraft based on the P-38. The "Chain Lightning" was initially designed as a long-range bomber escort, but was redesigned as a low-altitude ground attack aircraft and finally retro-designed back to a bomber escort/attack aircraft. Engine and supercharger problems caused the project to be canceled after one aircraft was built. A compilation of photos of the prototype, can be found in the link:

Aviação em Floripa: Lockheed XP-58 Chain Lightning


Hope you enjoy and thanks for visiting!
 
I figured it was a Lightning variant due to its design and obviously the name but it looks very similar to the P-61. Interesting
 
Some from my files.
 

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No, the P-58 was NOT a development of the P-38.

The P-58 was for a request for what was referred to as a "Destroyer" aircraft, a two-engine, heavily-armed aircraft designed to be a Bomber Destroyer. It went through a number of considered iterations, including as a heavy escort for bombers and also as a possible attack aircraft.

My thought is that it followed a design concept that happened to be in favor at Lockheed at the time - that of the twin-boom aircraft. Many manufacturers go through "spurts" where their aircraft designs all seem to follow the same basic philosophy and kinda look related. One company that really DID try to base everything on one design was Curtiss, who kept pitching "new" fighter aircraft that basically dated back to the original P-36 design. Yes, there were other designs submitted, like the P-62, etc, but if you look at all the "variations on the theme of P-36 or P-40" you can one of the major items that killed Curtiss as a provider of aircraft.

AlanG
 
Hi Alan.

From Wiki...

"The XP-58 was a Lockheed Aircraft Company funded initiative to develop an improved Lightning..."

Micheal O'Leary in an old Air Classics magazine makes a point that the Army gave Lockheed "permission" to build Lightnings for the British provided they build an improved Lightning at no cost to the Army.
The deal with Britain went pear-shaped - so I guess in the end Lockheed regretted the time, money and effort they had to put into the XP-58?
 
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