這玩意的平飛速度和爬升率都很好 , 加上它是長程機種火力又強 , 被盯上了恐怕不好玩 .

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isoroku_Yamamoto
最有名的打帶跑戰績就是在南太平洋上空擊落山本五十六座機 .
1st Lt. Rex T. Barber engaged the first of the two Japanese bombers, which turned out to be Yamamoto's plane. He sprayed the plane with gunfire until it began to spew smoke from its left engine. Barber turned away to attack the other bomber as Yamamoto's plane crashed into the jungle.
One US pilot—1st Lt. Raymond K. Hine—was killed in action.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/P-38
不過請注意這段敘述
The Lightning proved surprisingly maneuverable at low altitudes, mostly due to very docile low-speed stall characteristics.
在低空閃電式戰機有令人驚訝的操縱性 , 主要是它非常溫和的低速失速特性 .

The contra-rotating props had the benefit of eliminating the effects of engine torque, and on occasion a Lightning could even out-turn smaller fighters.
(左右)對轉式螺旋槳消除了引擎的扭矩 , 有時閃電式戰機轉彎的角速度甚至可以快過比較小的戰機 .

However, maneuverability wasn't its strong suit, its major virtue in combat being a "terrific zoom climb" that would leave pursuers in the dust. 高速爬升讓追逐者落在(機後)灰塵裡 Luftwaffe pilots also quickly learned not to make head-on attacks on the P-38, since its concentrated firepower ensured mutual destruction. Although not the best dogfighter, the P-38 was a formidable interceptor and attack aircraft, and in the hands of a good pilot could be dangerous in air to air combat. 雖非最佳的纏鬥戰機 , P-38 仍是強大的攔截攻擊機 , 在空對空戰鬥中 , 如果由優秀飛行員操縱 , 它仍然是危險的對手 .

The P-38 remained a force in the Mediterranean for the rest of the war.

A growing need for long-range escort fighters in Northwest Europe to protect heavy bomber operations resulted in four groups of Lightnings being deployed to the 8th Air Force in 1943-44. Although the P-38 gained a reputation with the Luftwaffe as the "fork-tailed devil", 德國空軍管它叫做叉尾惡魔 .
its performance at frigid high altitudes was disappointing and it proved difficult to maintain. 它在寒冷高空中的性能令人失望 , 又難以維修保養 .
By September 1944 all the Lightning groups in the 8th Air Force had converted to the P-51.