Army P-38E Lockheed “Lightning”

Aeroplane identification poster, published 1942

63 x 47 cm

A particularly unusual style of aeroplane identification poster, owing to the very arty images. Most such posters rely on very plain silhouettes, this series – and we have several in this series; view them here – have a much more arty approach to the task with shading and an interesting angle view.

The Lockheed P-38 Lightning was an American single-seated, twin piston-engined fighter aircraft that was used during World War II. The Lightning was originally designed as a bomber-interceptor and was never intended to be a fighter. Weight was kept to a minimum and it was far more advanced and faster than its U.S. counterparts, the Bell P-39 Airacobra and Curtiss P-40 Warhawk (original Airacobra and Warhawk posters from the same 1942 series are also available in our storefront). It caught the attention of the US Army Air Corps (USAAC) very quickly. The Lightning shot down more Japanese aeroplanes than any other fighter during World War II.

When first introduced in 1939, the Lightning was able to fly a steady course at 413 mph (665 km/h), making it the fastest production aeroplane in the world. It remained one of the fastest climbers right up to the end of the WW II.

Condition: generally very good.

If you are interested, please email info@manningfineart.co.uk or call us on 07929 749056.