The Lockheed P-38 Lightning was one of the most successful United States fighters of World War Two. They were particularly successful in the Pacific Theatre and most of Americas top fighter aces flew them there.

The Lockheed P-38 was designed in 1937 to meet a requirement for a high speed, high altitude interceptor.

It had many innovations including the twin tail layout, all guns mounted in the nose and tricycle undercarriage.

The prototype first flew on 27 January 1939 and they began entering service in April 1942.

The P-38 was the only US fighter to be produced for the duration of that country’s participation in the war and 10,037 were manufactured.

The P-38F was the first truly combat capable version and 527 were manufactured between February and June 1942.

This model represent a P-38F in service with the 39th Fighter Squadron, 35th Fighter Group, at Port Moresby in January 1943.

RS Models 1/72 kit completed by Leigh Edmonds in November 2021.