Which 38 Is Which?

[Magic Zach]

Quite simply, I look up pictures of a P-38L, but I can't help but notice that the air intakes look different. Some are just gaped, others divided into thirds, and one intake was just two separate holes, though I believe that was a racing 38. Which is which? What variant has what intake, or any other visible differences?

[SVgamer72]

Your best bet is to get a book on the P-38, or google around to learn about the differences. The "J" model was the first with the deep chin radiator openings under the props.

 

http://acepilots.com/planes/p38_lightning.html has some of the info you are looking for.

[Echo38]

There were only two different intake setups across all of the mass-produced U.S. P-38 models. Prior to the J, they had the early setup. The J and L had the later setup. Anything else would be either a prototype or a post-war modification.

 

Not sure about the British "castrated" Lightning. They gutted the supercharger, so that might've had a different intake.

[Art-J]

^ British ones flew with C-series Allisons, so they did have lower prop line and different cowlings, but even these had almost the same, "early style" intakes like US ones.

 

Anyway, Echo is right - 3 holes is a standard setup for anything post H version. Anything else (Red Bull's Lightning being the most prominent exception I suppose) is a modification.

[Magic Zach]

Thanks guys. I would have put pictures up, but it's weird with Tapatalk. I just searched "P-38L" and went to images. Guess this is similar to when I search "P-51D Mustang" and a Ford Mustang comes up!