P-38L Lightning

FlyingIron Sims

WARBIRD

4.7/5 (677)

Unmistakeable. Terrifying. Master of the skies: The fork-tailed devil.

With over 10,000 built between 1941-1944 (and nearly 4000 of these as the P-38L), the P-38 Lightning is an iconic American Warbird, easily distinguished by its unique twin-boom and central nacelle design. The "Fork-tailed devil" inspired terror across Europe & the Pacific as not only a fighter, but a highly effective fighter-bomber, night fighter and long-range escort.

The Lightning is capable of speeds up to 414 mph and an excellent rate of climb, powered by its powerful twin Allison V-1710 Engines. The Allison engines drive a 3-bladed Curtiss Electric Constant-speed propeller, counter-rotating to eliminate yaw tendencies, generating up to 1600 HP in each engine at a 2:1 gear reduction ratio. Dogfight performance is improved drastically with the addition of innovative technology for its time, such as the hydraulically powered Aileron Boosters, Manoeuvre Flaps and Dive Flaps.

Our simulation aims to bring to life each facet of the incredible P-38; from the unique flight dynamics excellently captured by GotGravel (our newest FlyingIron Team Member), the muffled roar of the twin engines; from the finesse of managing the complex engine & cooling systems down to the minute details of the electrical system.

KEY FEATURES High-quality, extensively detailed and accurate 3D Model & texturing brings to life every rivet, screw & oil streak of the P-38L Immersive Wwise Sound design built from professional recordings of a real P-38 and Allison V-1710. Highly dynamic sound design captures each detail of flight in stereo; dynamic wind noise, drag & buffer sounds, high-g effects, airframe stress & so much more! 9 included liveries, including Richard Bong’s iconic livery. Professional quality nose art included in many liveries. Detailed & Extensive simulations of the Lightnings core systems, including accurate, code-driven replications of the Lightnings Fuel, Engine, Cooling and Electrical Systems. Incredibly realistic Flight Model created by our newest team member, the highly respected GotGravel! Custom code-driven heat & thermodynamics modelling, extensive engine management simulation Realistic Engine Start-up modelling (don’t forget your checklists!) Optional Drop Tanks Custom damage modelling & failures, including heat damage & operating limits 3D GNS 430 fully integrated into the cockpit (optional) Modern Radio / Transponder Unit Inclusion of FlyingIron's UI Tablet (optional). The tablet incorporates many useful GUI features and puts them in an easily accessible and realistic in-cockpit Touchscreen Tablet. Interactive checklists available to guide you through start-up and flight procedures

Not: Guns are not modelled in the Marketplace edition of the P-38L. Weapons are completely non-functional in both versions.

The P-38L Lightning is a single-seat, twin-engine, multi-role military aircraft produced by the Lockheed Corporation of the United States. The distinctive twin-boom Lightning, which took its fist flight on January 27, was introduced in July of 1941 and proved to be one of the most lethal and effective fighters throughout World War II for the Allies.

The Lightning performed a number of critical missions, including interceptor, light bomber, general attack, escort, night fighter, and photoreconnaissance platform. Lockheed built just over 10,000 Lightnings between 1941 and 1945, and the airframe served the United States until 1949, when the Air Force retired it.

The P-38L features a main wing with a span of 52 feet, 0 inches, retractable tricycle landing gear, and a twin-boom fuselage with a wing-mounted central nacelle housing the cockpit. The empennage consists of a horizontal stabilizer mounted between the tail ends of the fuselage booms and twin vertical stabilizers, one on the end of each fuselage boom. The P-38L is powered by twin Allison V-1710 V-12 liquid-cooled engines that each produce up to 1,600 horsepower and turn counter-rotating 3-blade Curtiss constant-speed propellers. The engines are boosted with a special turbo-supercharger that gives the Lightning excellent performance at all altitudes, notably high altitudes. The P-38L cruises at 275 miles per hour, has a maximum speed of 414 mph, and a range of 1,300 miles. It climbs at an impressive 4,750 feet per minute and has a service ceiling of 44,000 feet above sea level.

Unmistakable in appearance and legendary in performance, the Lockheed P-38L Lightning is one of history’s greatest aircraft. This is an aviator’s dream—from within the cockpit, roar down the runway, pull back on the yoke, and tear into the sky to experience blazing levels of twin-engine excitement in the heights.

VERSION 1.1.2 RELEASED MARCH 26, 2024

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VERSION 1.0.0 RELEASED SEPTEMBER 30, 2021

VERSION 1.0.1 RELEASED OCTOBER 13, 2021

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VERSION 1.0.2 RELEASED DECEMBER 21, 2021

Update 1.0.2 focuses on fixing small bugs, improving sound, thermodynamics & the FlyingIron Tablet.

VERSION 1.0.3 RELEASED FEBRUARY 1, 2022

VERSION 1.1.0 RELEASED MARCH 16, 2022

We are proud to introduce Update 1.1.0 which is a major update that includes a complete rewrite of code to ensure Xbox compatibility, improved FPS and superior systems simulation, as well as the inclusion of the much-anticipated new propeller physics simulation. It also includes various sound, art and tablet improvements and fixes.

For the full changelog, please visit https://flyingironsimulations.com/blogs/news

VERSION 1.1.1 RELEASED OCTOBER 11, 2022

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Engine and Propeller

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