P-38J Lightning (oz3124)

About this Plan

P-38 Lightning. Scale control line model twin boom fighter. 1963 Nationals Winner.

Quote: "The prototype XP-38 designed to meet Army Air Force requirements for a high altitude, high speed interceptor, was ordered in June of 1938. The Lockheed design team, headed by Hall Hibbard, considered six different configurations before selecting the radical twin engine, twin-boom layout. This configuration was deemed necessary because no single engine was available at that time which would give sufficient power to meet the design requirements. This unusual aircraft was the first single seat-twin engine fighter, first fighter equipped with turbo superchargers and first with counter rotating propellers.

Flown for the first time in January 1939, the XP-38 was an immediate success and was ordered into large scale production before the first Y models were even test flown. Production rate was extremely slow in building up due mainly to the complexity of the ship. It was the summer of 1941 before planes were coming off the assembly line in any great number.

The Lightning underwent many design modifications during its production history and the last model, the P-38M night fighter was still in production on V-J Day. Altogether, more than 10,000 P-38's were built.

Used in every World War II theater, P-38's were destined to bring down in aerial combat more Japanese aircraft than any other Allied plane in the war. Both the first and second ranking American fighter aces of World War II flew P-38's. Major Richard Bong had forty aerial victories and Major Thomas Mc-Guire thirty-eight.

Without doubt the most versatile fighter plane of the war, the P-38 was used as a bomber escort, fighter-bomber, high altitude bomber (with a bombardier in the nose), night fighter, photo-reconnaissance plane, and even as a personnel transport.

Of the many variations of the P-38, the J model was the fastest and the one produced in the largest numbers. Making its first appearance in August 1943, the J model introduced a beard radiator under each engine prop shaft giving the plane its distinctive, deep, bathtub cowling that was characteristic of all subsequent models. The P-38J was powered by two 1,425 hp Allison V-1710-89/91 V-12 liquid-cooled engines, giving it a maximum speed of 414 mph at 25,000 feet with a rate of climb of 2,500 feet per minute. It was armed with four 50 caliber machine guns and one 20 mm cannon.

After the war many surplus Lightnings were stripped down and refitted for racing. Lockheed test pilot Tony LeVier was perhaps the best known and most successful P-38 racing flier, making an excellent showing in both the 1946 and 1947 Thompson Trophy Races.

The model presented here is of the J version mentioned earlier. It was selected because the deep cowlings made it possible to completely cowl-in the engines. Several months were spent on the ground-work, especially in the design of the gear retraction mechanism before any actual construction was begun. This was to be a labor of love as the P-38 had long been the author's favorite airplane.

Retractable landing gear, throttle control, operating position lights, and cockpit detail were to be included in the model. A great deal of time was spent searching through old model magazines and library books, collecting information that would be useful in the construction of the model. Snap-shots taken of a privately owned P-38 at the local airport were extremely useful during construction of the model.

A few years after the model was completed, a beautiful set of P-38 plans in 3/4 in to the foot scale became available from Superscale, Arlington, Texas. These plans drawn by LeRoy Weber, would be most useful to any modeler building a P-38 in any scale.

One inch to the foot scale was decided upon because of its handy size allowing .29 or .35 cubic inches displacement engines to cowl in completely and is not too small for extreme cockpit detail. 35 size engines were chosen due to their greater horsepower output for practically the same physical size, and it is wise to have an abundance of power in any scale ship. K&B Torpedo 35's with intake throttle controls were selected because one was already on hand and it throttled well. Another was ordered from the K&B factory; this one with the crankshaft ported for reverse rotation because the P-38 had counter rotating propellers. This seemed to be a natural place to acquire additional scale operating points and a feature that isn't seen every day on a model.

Nothing detracts so much from an otherwise nice scale job as non-scale propellers. and it is therefore recommended that three-bladed propellers be used. Original model had three blade 11 in diameter 6 in pitch propellers which are very close to scale in size and appearance while causing very little if any reduction in the flying ability of the ship. Although these propellers take a little time to make, the final result is well worth the effort. The left, clockwise rotating propeller was carved from birch using templates made from the right one. Carve a spare propeller while you are at it. If you have a spare you probably won't need it so it's good insurance.

Paint the propellers flat black with yellow lips and make sure they are still balanced after painting. The right hand prop is made from 11 x 6 power propellers cut apart at the hub and spliced together as shown on the plan. Three propellers can be cut apart to make two three-bladed ones.

A few words about the retractable landing gear system used in the ship. While it really adds that extra professional touch to the model it also was the greatest problem in building and flying the plane. It was also extremely time consuming, taking up an extra six months in design and construction. The first landing gear system was operated by the single servo in the center pod with bellcranks and pushrods running out to the main gear. That system proved unreliable so the plane was refitted with one additional servo on each main gear. Due to space limitations and long operating throws, the servos must, of necessity, be specially designed and constructed, which is no small chore.

If you wish retracting gear you may follow the details set forth here but a superb model may still be built from these plans without the retractable landing gear at a saving of much time and about one pound in weight. Decide which way you are going before beginning construction. The same holds true for the throttles, lights, and other operating extras shown on the plans..."

Update 15/05/2014: Replaced this plan with a clearer version, thanks to JJ.

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