What are the unusually-enlarged wing sections on this P-38 Lightning?












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Halfway through this video of the Lockheed P-38 Lightning, there's an unusual-looking example. Notice the enlarged wing sections outboard of the engine bodies, and also how the cockpit fairing extends further aft than usual.



No other P-38 in that video has those features.



What were these devices (and their purpose)?



Also, what is all that gadgetry at the trailing edge of the port wing at its root (with respect to the port engine body), and also that L-shaped thing trailing behind?



enter image description here










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    15












    $begingroup$


    Halfway through this video of the Lockheed P-38 Lightning, there's an unusual-looking example. Notice the enlarged wing sections outboard of the engine bodies, and also how the cockpit fairing extends further aft than usual.



    No other P-38 in that video has those features.



    What were these devices (and their purpose)?



    Also, what is all that gadgetry at the trailing edge of the port wing at its root (with respect to the port engine body), and also that L-shaped thing trailing behind?



    enter image description here










    share|improve this question









    $endgroup$















      15












      15








      15


      1



      $begingroup$


      Halfway through this video of the Lockheed P-38 Lightning, there's an unusual-looking example. Notice the enlarged wing sections outboard of the engine bodies, and also how the cockpit fairing extends further aft than usual.



      No other P-38 in that video has those features.



      What were these devices (and their purpose)?



      Also, what is all that gadgetry at the trailing edge of the port wing at its root (with respect to the port engine body), and also that L-shaped thing trailing behind?



      enter image description here










      share|improve this question









      $endgroup$




      Halfway through this video of the Lockheed P-38 Lightning, there's an unusual-looking example. Notice the enlarged wing sections outboard of the engine bodies, and also how the cockpit fairing extends further aft than usual.



      No other P-38 in that video has those features.



      What were these devices (and their purpose)?



      Also, what is all that gadgetry at the trailing edge of the port wing at its root (with respect to the port engine body), and also that L-shaped thing trailing behind?



      enter image description here







      fighter feature-identification wwii lockheed






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      asked Apr 1 at 0:35









      pr1268pr1268

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          $begingroup$

          It was a test bed that was looking into laminar flow on the wings.




          was converted in 1942 as a two-seater, with an elongated central
          nacelle extending aft of the wing trailing edge, intended as a
          research vehicle to find ways of reducing drag, and was the only P-38
          to have have a full dual set of flight controls. Later it was modified
          with enlarged laminar-flow wing sections outboard of the engine booms,
          complete with slots and boundary layer control by means of exhaust
          bleed air.




          There is some discussion on it here as well.






          share|improve this answer









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            1 Answer
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            active

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            active

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            22












            $begingroup$

            It was a test bed that was looking into laminar flow on the wings.




            was converted in 1942 as a two-seater, with an elongated central
            nacelle extending aft of the wing trailing edge, intended as a
            research vehicle to find ways of reducing drag, and was the only P-38
            to have have a full dual set of flight controls. Later it was modified
            with enlarged laminar-flow wing sections outboard of the engine booms,
            complete with slots and boundary layer control by means of exhaust
            bleed air.




            There is some discussion on it here as well.






            share|improve this answer









            $endgroup$


















              22












              $begingroup$

              It was a test bed that was looking into laminar flow on the wings.




              was converted in 1942 as a two-seater, with an elongated central
              nacelle extending aft of the wing trailing edge, intended as a
              research vehicle to find ways of reducing drag, and was the only P-38
              to have have a full dual set of flight controls. Later it was modified
              with enlarged laminar-flow wing sections outboard of the engine booms,
              complete with slots and boundary layer control by means of exhaust
              bleed air.




              There is some discussion on it here as well.






              share|improve this answer









              $endgroup$
















                22












                22








                22





                $begingroup$

                It was a test bed that was looking into laminar flow on the wings.




                was converted in 1942 as a two-seater, with an elongated central
                nacelle extending aft of the wing trailing edge, intended as a
                research vehicle to find ways of reducing drag, and was the only P-38
                to have have a full dual set of flight controls. Later it was modified
                with enlarged laminar-flow wing sections outboard of the engine booms,
                complete with slots and boundary layer control by means of exhaust
                bleed air.




                There is some discussion on it here as well.






                share|improve this answer









                $endgroup$



                It was a test bed that was looking into laminar flow on the wings.




                was converted in 1942 as a two-seater, with an elongated central
                nacelle extending aft of the wing trailing edge, intended as a
                research vehicle to find ways of reducing drag, and was the only P-38
                to have have a full dual set of flight controls. Later it was modified
                with enlarged laminar-flow wing sections outboard of the engine booms,
                complete with slots and boundary layer control by means of exhaust
                bleed air.




                There is some discussion on it here as well.







                share|improve this answer












                share|improve this answer



                share|improve this answer










                answered Apr 1 at 1:28









                DaveDave

                68.5k4131248




                68.5k4131248






























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