The Lockheed P38 Lightning is an American single seat twin engine fighter aircraft used during World War II. Discover Lockheed P38 Lightning aircraft for sale worldwide on AvPay. Browse active Lockheed P38 Lightning listings and find available aircraft across the USA, North America, UK, Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia and South America. Connect directly with aircraft brokers, private sellers, flying clubs, flight schools and manufacturers. Explore the full inventory of aircraft for sale on AvPay here!
Finding a Lockheed P-38 Lightning for Sale on AvPay
AvPay offers a global marketplace for Lockheed P-38 Lightning aircraft, connecting buyers and sellers across the USA, North America, UK, Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, South America and beyond. The Lockheed P-38 Lightning sits firmly in the warbird market, and buyers often compare airframe history, restoration standard and parts support as closely as performance.
Refine your Lockheed P-38 Lightning search on AvPay with our easy-to-use filters. Quickly find your perfect aircraft by condition, year, total time, location, price and seller.
As a leading aviation marketplace, AvPay features a diverse range of aircraft for sale, including the iconic Lockheed P-38 Lightning. Explore our full Lockheed selection here, or browse all aircraft from various manufacturers here.
Found your ideal Lockheed P-38 Lightning? Connect directly with sellers on AvPay via WhatsApp, private message or phone to discuss provenance, restoration records and the exact configuration of the Lockheed P-38 Lightning Aircraft For Sale.
Interesting facts about the Lockheed P-38 Lightning
✈ The Lockheed P-38 Lightning used a distinctive twin boom layout with the cockpit in a central nacelle, which gave it a recognisable silhouette and concentrated nose mounted firepower.
✈ Lockheed designed the P-38 around two Allison V-1710 liquid cooled V-12 engines with turbo superchargers, targeting high altitude performance and long range escort missions.
✈ The US Army Air Corps drove the original requirement as a high performance interceptor, which shaped the aircraft’s speed, climb and altitude focus.
✈ The P-38 served as a fighter, a fighter bomber and a photo reconnaissance platform, which is why surviving aircraft can vary widely in equipment and wiring.
✈ The P-38’s nose battery combined four .50 calibre machine guns with a 20 mm cannon, avoiding wing convergence and making it effective at longer firing ranges.
✈ Production ran from 1941 to 1945, and total output exceeded ten thousand aircraft, which helped create broad wartime spares pipelines and later restoration knowledge.
✈ Pilots encountered high speed compressibility effects in dives, and later development focused heavily on improving controllability at higher Mach numbers.
✈ The Lightning became closely associated with the Pacific theatre, where its two engine reliability and long range suited long overwater operations.
Lockheed P-38 Lightning Specifications
Information provided here is as a guide only. This information should not be used for flight planning or other aircraft operations. Aircraft model variations, custom specifications, modifications, upgrades and age will have a considerable impact on the details listed below. Please check with the seller, manufacturer or aviation authority for the precise aircraft specifications.
Length: 11.53 m (37 ft 10 in)
Wingspan: 15.85 m (52 ft 0 in)
Height: 3.91 m (12 ft 10 in)
Empty Weight: 5,806 kg (12,800 lb)
Maximum Speed: 666 km/h (414 mph)
Range: 2,100 km (1,300 mi)
FAQs About the Lockheed P-38 Lightning
Is the Lockheed P-38 Lightning a single seat aircraft?
Yes. The Lockheed P-38 Lightning is a single seat fighter, with one pilot in the central cockpit nacelle.
What engines power the Lockheed P-38 Lightning?
The Lockheed P-38 Lightning uses two Allison V-1710 liquid cooled V-12 piston engines, typically paired with turbo superchargers on operational aircraft.
What was the primary role of the Lockheed P-38 Lightning?
The Lockheed P-38 Lightning served primarily as a fighter, and it also filled fighter bomber and photo reconnaissance roles during World War II.
What should buyers focus on when inspecting a P-38 airframe?
Confirm the aircraft’s restoration documentation, structural condition and corrosion status. Pay close attention to the twin boom structure, the centre nacelle attach points and the cooling system integrity.
Why do Lockheed P-38 Lightning examples differ so much in equipment?
Wartime missions drove major configuration changes. Surviving aircraft often reflect later rebuilds, postwar storage and restoration choices, so avionics, systems and internal layouts can vary.
Get help buying a Lockheed P-38 Lightning
Can’t find the Lockheed P-38 Lightning aircraft you’re looking for? Get in touch with an Aircraft Broker to help you buy an aircraft via the Aircraft Broker Directory. Alternatively you can browse Aircraft Brokerage and Aircraft Acquisition Services through the aviation marketplace to help you with the purchase of a Lockheed P-38 Lightning Airplane.
Sell your Lockheed P-38 Lightning on AvPay
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Find Finance for buying a Lockheed P-38 Lightning
Need financing to purchase your Lockheed P-38 Lightning Aircraft? Warbird transactions often depend on restoration evidence, maintenance status and insured value alignment. Lenders may require specialist inspections, hangar and operations planning and a clear maintenance partner before approval. If you plan to fly regularly, factor engine support, propeller overhauls and parts sourcing into the finance structure from day one. A specialist aviation finance team can guide you through documentation, timelines and cross border considerations.
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Find Insurance for a Lockheed P-38 Lightning
Purchasing a Lockheed P-38 Lightning Airplane is an exciting step and specialist insurance planning matters early. Warbird policies often depend on pilot experience, training plans, display intent and the aircraft’s restoration standard. Underwriters may ask for detailed maintenance records, parts traceability and agreed value evidence before binding cover. A specialist broker can help tailor hull and liability coverage, and they can advise on display flying requirements, passenger restrictions and maintenance related conditions.
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