Designed to a 1937 Army Air Corps request for a high performance interceptor, the Me Lockheed Model 22 first flew on 27 January 1939. The twin-engined twin-boomed Lightning was the plane of America's leading Army aces in the Pacific. Major Richard Bong, from Poplar, Wisconsin, finished the war with 40 victories flying the P-38. In addition to bomber escort. ground support, and interceptor duties, F-4 and F-5 photo recon Lightnings provided vital information to Allied commanders. P-38's disappeared from USAF service by 1949. About two dozen P-38's exist today, of 9942 built.

The Planes of Fame P-38J was delivered to the USAAF in May 1944. It was initially assigned to the 2nd Photo Recon Group, 3rd Air Force, as a trainer. Later it was reassigned to Air Training Command and served at Will Rogers Field, OK, and Coffeyville, KS. Post war the Reconstruction Finance Corporation sold it to the Hancock School of Aeronautics. Later it went to Hardwick Aircraft. From 1960 to 1987 it was with Ed Maloney's collection. Rebuilt to flying condition in 1987- 88, it returned to the air on 18 July 1988. Only six P-38's are thought to be airworthy today.