The Lockheed P-38 was one of the most recognizable and deadliest aircraft in World War II. It was originally conceived to meet a U.S. Army requirement in 1937 for a high-altitude fighter capable of 360 mph at 20,000 ft. and be capable of full-throttle endurance of one hour at this altitude. Lockheed’s winning design utilized a radical twin-engine, twin tail boom, tricycle landing gear configuration. Designed as a fighter that could fly faster and higher than any other fighter at the time, it was capable of carrying out several types of missions. It could perform as a bomber, a reconnaissance plane, and an escort. However, where it excelled was in the roll of a fighter. It had great success in the China-Burma-India and Pacific Theaters. It also played a vital role in the skies over North Africa and the European Theater. Many pilots became an ace flying the P-38. The subject of this review tells the story of the 82nd Fighter Group and its pilots as they fought across North Africa and Italy.

Osprey Publishing has released another book in its excellent Aircraft of the Aces series. The title of their latest release is P-38 Lightning Aces of the 82nd Fighter Group, by Steve Blake. The author leads the reader on the chronological journey taken by the pilots of the 82nd Fighter Group. Chapter One begins with the formation of the unit and their training. The next three chapters cover their actions as they moved across North Africa to the Mediterranean Islands and on to the Italian mainland. Chapter Five details their actions as long-range escorts to the strategic bombing effort. The last chapter tells us about the FGs actions in the last eight months as the war wound down.

All along the way, we are treated to not only the story of the 82nd FG, but also to stories of the men who flew the missions. Many of these stories are told in their own words. To help supplement the accounts, the author has provided approximately 100 B&W photographs, many possibly never published before. A block of text explaining what is depicted accompanies each photograph. Of special interest are the 34 color plates depicting P-38s flown by the 82nd FG’s pilots from June, 1942, to June, 1945. A detailed history of each plane is found in the Appendix. This section of the book alone makes for absorbing reading.

By the end of the war, the 82nd FG was one of the most successful groups of the war, accounting for 548 confirmed enemy aircraft destroyed, 126 locomotives, and 9 ships. In the process, 23 pilots became aces and the group was awarded three Distinguished Unit Citations. These achievements did not come without sacrifice, as approximately 250 of the group’s pilots were either killed in action or became POWs.

This book is full of stories – some sad, some humorous – but all fascinating. This is one book I can easily recommend to the modeler or historian alike. You will not be disappointed you bought it.

My sincere thanks goes to Osprey Publishing for providing this wonderful book to IPMS/USA and to the folks at IPMS/USA for allowing me to review it.