Lockheed XP-38 prototype 37-457
Lockheed XP-38 prototype 37-457 was the first Lightning airframe. Air Corps test pilot Lieutenant Benjamin S. Kelsey flew it for the first time from March Field, California, on 27 January 1939, beginning the development path to the P-38 family.
Identity
- Aliases
- 37-457XP-38First P-38 prototype
- Name
- Lockheed XP-38 prototype 37-457
- Status
- retired
Details
- Description
- Lockheed XP-38 prototype 37-457 was the first Lightning airframe. Air Corps test pilot Lieutenant Benjamin S. Kelsey flew it for the first time from March Field, California, on 27 January 1939, beginning the development path to the P-38 family.
- First Flight Date
- 1939-01-27
- Manufacturer
- Vehicle Family
Links
Assets & Meta
- Creation Time
- August 1, 2026 at 09:23:32 UTC
- Updated Time
- August 1, 2026 at 09:23:32 UTC
Other
- Vehicle Code
- 37-457