Lockheed F5

The Lockheed F5 was the photo reconnaissance vesion of the more familiar P38 Lightning. There were about 1400 examples of the usually unarmed Lockheed F5 built. The basis of the conversion was the removal of the guns and replacing them with cameras with the appropriate clear view panels. The Lightning was designated either F4 or F5 depending upon which version of the P38 on which the conversion was based.

The PR versions were the F4 based on the P38E, which was first flown in 1941, the F4A based on the P38G, the F5A based on the P38G, and the F5B based on the P38J. The major Lightning PR variant however was the F5-E4 which was based on the P38L.

The first Lightnings to see action in the Pacific were not fighters but F4's which photographed Japanese movements in New Guinea, New Britain and Rabuaul in 1942. Other F4's and F5's operated on all fronts. Most F5's in the European theatre of war were based at Mount Farm in Oxfordshire.

Performance

A top speed of 402mph at 25,000ft
Weight: 20,300lb's fully loaded.
Powerplant: Two Allison V-1710-51/55 engines of 1325 HP each.
Armament: none