The P-38 Lightning destroyed more Japanese aircraft than any other USAAF fighter, but it was less successful in Europe, where it experienced numerous technical problems at the higher altitudes the European air war was fought at. Not the least of these was the neccessity of chipping the poor pilot out of a block of ice when he landed, as the cockpit heating didn't work very well. Dick Bong, the leading American ace of WW2, flew a P-38.

Cool stuff for Lightning lovers:

P-38 Lightning is a brief technical history of the P-38 Lightning that showcases the marvelous technical illustrations of Rikyu Watanabe. It's not the most comprehensive book of the Lightning you will find, but it is one of the prettiest, and a steal at second-hand prices.

Check out the P-38 T-shirt in the gift shop!