When World War II began, the Lockheed P-38 Lightning stood out in American service. It had twin engines on slim booms, a central pod for the pilot and guns, and could fly farther and higher than ...

Key point: Despite its flaws, the P-38 was a rare early example of a successful “heavy” fighter boasting speed, range, and firepower—similar to modern multi-role fighters like the F-15 and Su-27. In ...