Unusual among Allied fighters of World War II because of its twin tails, the P-38 Lightning was one of the mainstays of the USAAF's fighter inventory. Deployed in all theatres, Lightnings excelled in most, being one of the few American fighters armed with cannon.

Subject to lengthy development throughout the war, the P-38 exemplified the technical peak reached by aeronautical engineers in the 1940s. This well-illustrated book presents the complete technical and service history of this famous aeroplane.