The Lockheed XP-58 Chain Lightning was an American long-range fighter developed during World War II.
Although derived from the successful P-38 Lightning, the XP-58 was plagued by technical problems with its engines that eventually led to the project’s cancellation.
One only built.
Specifications
Crew
Two
Length
49 ft 5.5 in (15.07 m)
Wingspan
70 ft 0 in (21.34 m)
Height
16 ft 0 in (4.88 m)
Wing area
600 sq ft (55.7 m2)
Empty weight
31,624 lb (14,344 kg)
Max take-off weight
39,192 lb (17,777 kg)
Powerplant
2 × Allison V-3420 24 cylinder liquid-cooled engine, 3,000 hp (2,238 kW) each
Performance
Maximum speed
436 mph (702 km/h, 379 kn) at 25,000 ft (7,620 m)
Cruise speed
283 mph (455 km/h, 246 kn)
Range
2,650 mi (4,265 km, 2,304 nmi)
Service ceiling
38,200 ft (11,645 m)
Rate of climb
2,582 ft/min (13.1 m/s)
Armament
Guns
(proposed)
4 × 37 mm (1.46 in) M4 cannons or 1 × 75 mm (2.95 in) M5 cannon and
2 × .50 in (12.7 mm) Browning heavy machine guns in interchangeable nose
(proposed)
4 × .50 cal (12.7 mm) Browning heavy machine guns in two remotely controlled flexible turrets in the rear.
