After its first CD dedicated to the 109, here the second volume covering the well known  P-38 Lightning, based on an airplane reconstruction. Seven chapters are engraved on the first support, the second, on DVD present interviews of 11 drivers of  the “forked tail devil”, all in English, illustrated  with video clips and images. For foreigners who are not used with this international language, it is I must admit the less interesting part of the combo. The first chapter display logically the development of  the P-38.The 18 sections start with a presentation of the XP/YP-38, P-38D/E/F/G/H/J/L/M, F5A/B/E versions, and the experimental ones.

This pack is covered by 110 photographs (including 29 in color) with text. The WWII unit’s badges reviewed count 45 patches, before approaching P-38 through the advertising images and the propaganda (41 posters including 33 in color). An insert dedicated to the utilisation by the civilians after WWII is present, with the curious use of the auxiliary tanks as racing body cars! But the photographs of the operational theatres are not forgotten with 171 pics (including 13 in color), most already known. What remains in these days from this graceful bird? It is the topic of the second chapter  which classify 40 survivors from the state of wreck to flying condition. 315 more current photographs  and Internet links will enable you to continue the discovery out of the CD. Then 2  long slideshows present us the rescue and the resurrection of the P-38E Glacier Girl recovered from ice by The Lost Squadron, and an another airplane actually in restoration by Classic Jet Fighter Museum from South Australia.

Our hobby is an other great part with a review of kits and documentation.17 models (mainly in the 1/48 and 1/32 scale) are displayed in 152 photographs, and I count 68 models made of wood, paperboard and plastic, without forgetting 48 "all assembled" in metal. The decals and accessories rise temporarily 38 articles to buy, but the end is not yet known. The author counts 50 books and 3 vidéos, without wanting to be exhaustive. The maintenance and flight manuals  which are not so easy to find around the world are partially included. 121 pages are extracted from the "Allison Service Handbook", and the "F4/F5/P-38 Pilot Manuals" (this last with Acrobat Reader in pdf).

The back bone  of the study now arrive in the same way as the first volume. This time it is the rebuilding of P-38 Glacier Girl which is proposed (a P-38E). One reaches the zones of the plane while clicking on a profile  which open on explicit windows. We approach here the 639 photographs in color  which plunge you in the entrails, or extirpate difficult elements to reach on a flying aircraft (i.e pedals).

The list is long and it should be seen to believe it, the dreamed  walk-around  for this type (minus the armament as the plane is civil, and some original equipments). Amongst other things one discovers for the cockpit; the cabin floor, L/R walls, the control column, instrumentation, pedals, the seat, and levers. For the fuselage, the booms, the nacelle, the nose, the tail. The engine is open with dismounted Allison, the tanks, the supports, the coolers, the drains, the propellers and the turbos. The wing is peeled and exposes mobile surfaces, the flaps, the tanks, the pylons and the various panels. The gear covers the auxiliary and principal elements with bays. All in all it is not far from 1700 items which turn around one of the most beautiful WWII legend airplanes. The post WWII is ignored (but, who really used them?, hum France, as far as I know). But the documentation listed will engage you to look forward and prospect by yourself. Once again it is a good "concentration" of information on a tiny place. If you like the Peter Three Eight, you’ll by it! Recommended.

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