Chain Lightning

barnbstormer · **Posted:** Thu Dec 18, 2008 4:36 pm

I was just looking for a photo file I used to have and can't find right now. It had a number of P-38 Lightning factory photos and wartime press releases etc. But I remember a couple of press release photos with text for the Chain Lightning. Can anyone tell me what the difference was-if any?
Bet Jack has some photos...

Randy Wilson · **Posted:** Thu Dec 18, 2008 5:26 pm

The Lockheed XP-58 was called the Chain Lightning, if that's what you are asking about. Here is a link with a bit of info on the USAFM site. Hope that helps.

http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=2262

Randy

wls3 · **Posted:** Thu Dec 18, 2008 5:40 pm

XP-58 Chain Lightning
Looks kinda like a P-61 to me or...
it was special made for Mudge with a seat in back :shock:

262crew · **Joined:** Thu Nov 15, 2007 7:24 pm **Posts:** 877

Oink! What a pig!

SPECIFICATIONS:
Span: 70 ft. 0 in.
Length: 49 ft. 3 in.
Height: 16 ft. 0 in.
Weight: 31,306 lbs. empty/38,874 lbs. gross
Armament: Designed for one 75mm cannon and two .50-cal. machine guns OR four 37mm cannons; two rear-firing power turrets with two .50-cal. machine guns each
Engines: Two turbo-supercharged Allison V-3420-11/13 engines of 2,600 hp each

Jack Cook · **Posted:** Thu Dec 18, 2008 6:20 pm

I thought this was about the Humphrey Bogart movie.
Jack the disappointed

barnbstormer · **Posted:** Thu Dec 18, 2008 7:01 pm

Thanks guys. Now I know why I can't find that folder. Those photos are too embarrassed to show themselves. They kinda gave a beauty queen, a beer belly with that design...

n5151ts · **Posted:** Thu Dec 18, 2008 8:20 pm

I believe the first one crashed and burned they designed it around an allison experimental engine that never really materialized or lived up to expectations. interesting idea though

The Inspector · **Posted:** Fri Dec 19, 2008 3:08 am

The ALLISON W-3420, two ALLISONS side by side with two cranksha----aw! just think of it as the American DB-610 (and darned near as sucessful too) Also tried on the XB-39 , the XP-75, and post war, Edgar Kaiser ran them in one of his Unlimited hydros named 'SCOOTER TOO' ( U-10) the SCOOTER spent half its career on a tow rope or filling up with race course it was on-
Olympia Air Museum has one, Curtiss, can ya show us a photo?

Mgawa · **Posted:** Fri Dec 19, 2008 7:01 am

I have few images of this plane and also somewhere color profile [reserved for one publication]. Feel free to contact me if you need any image.

One apologize- some time before I promise to one gentleman a image of MiG-15 in USA, image is from 1956. To regret I have failed to send this image. I ask this gentleman to contact me again and I will send image. I am very sorry for this problem, definitely caused by me.

Cheers

AIRIC · **Posted:** Fri Dec 19, 2008 7:03 am

wls3 wrote:

XP-58 Chain Lightning
Looks kinda like a P-61 to me or...
it was special made for Mudge with a seat in back :shock:

Eric

Mudge · **Posted:** Fri Dec 19, 2008 1:53 pm

All who have remarked disparagingly about this a/c will be dealt with at my convenience. Sleep with one eye open. :gib:

Mudge the vengeful :twisted:

ps...I'm not sure that rear cockpit is, in fact, tall enough. :roll:

The Inspector · **Posted:** Fri Dec 19, 2008 2:00 pm

Looking @ the picture reminds me of the AC-DC song 'Whole lotta Rosie" and, how's the view from the back seat Mudge?

gary1954 · **Posted:** Fri Dec 19, 2008 2:12 pm

Remember,
that In the Land of Blind People
the Man With One Eye
Is King

barnbstormer · **Posted:** Fri Dec 19, 2008 2:51 pm

quote="The Inspector"]The ALLISON W-3420, two ALLISONS side by side with two cranksha----aw! just think of it as the American DB-610 (and darned near as successful too) Also tried on the XB-39 , the XP-75, and post war, Edgar Kaiser ran them in one of his Unlimited hydros named 'SCOOTER TOO' ( U-10) the SCOOTER spent half its career on a tow rope or filling up with race course it was on-
Olympia Air Museum has one, Curtiss, can ya show us a photo?

[/quote]

I used to have one of those W-3420s, a while back. had to get rid of it because we could not get our trucks & aircraft trailers in the double wide doors-as it took up so much room. We had 175 (mostly) pre-WWII aero engines; 48 were WWI and earlier, and 19 were the only ones Known of their type. Now most are in replicas, restorations or museums. We got the 3420 from one of the guys who were planning to use it in the tractor pull events. But more importantly, from the same guy we got a couple of New Allisons for the P-39s, complete with the long shafts, & gearboxes etc.

The Inspector · **Posted:** Sat Dec 20, 2008 12:46 am

Barnstormer,
Thanks for the head on of the Indiana anchor-

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