PHOTO RECONNAISSANCE

Surveillance is key in any battle, and many P-38Ls were converted to camera-equipped F-4s and F-5s (affectionately called "Foto Jo") for this purpose.  The F-5G carried five powerful aerial cameras which could take pictures vertically and obliquely. (View a close-up of the side camera.)  What they didn't have, however, were guns.  Photo Recon pilots were unarmed and alone.  These planes were much faster than their fellow P-38s because they had no heavy armament, ammo or ordnance.  They were used in critical missions for photographing troop movements, airfields and potential targets or, most importantly, bomb-damage assessment.  Early photo recon planes were painted blue to better camouflage them in the air (as the one in the photo on the left - click to enlarge the view), but the paint was later discontinued because it added weight to the aircraft. The "Lightning Legends" video has some great photo recon missions.
 

NIGHT FIGHTER (P-38M)

The P-38M, known as the "Night Fighter," was equipped with a state-of-the-art radar system, (an AN/APS-4 AI radar pod mounted under the nose on a modified bomb pylon) which was operated by a guy crammed in behind the pilot under the bubble canopy. Learn all about the Night Fighters here.  To see a "Night Fighter" model, click here.
 

DROOP SNOOT

The P-38J (so-called "Droop Snoot"), was typically the lead plane on level bombing missions.   The Droop Snoot was equipped with a Plexiglas nose and (replacing the more well-known P-38 fire power of machine guns and cannon) an ultra-secret Norden bomb sight.  The bombardier was in the nose.  The original color scheme was olive-drab-over-gray camouflage, and was most often associated with the 8th AF in Europe -- although they were also flown in the CBI theater. "American Eagles" covers many of the P-38 variances, including the Droop Snoot.

PATHFINDER

The Pathfinder was yet another unique variation of the P-38.  It was a P-38J (or L) modified with special ground-mapping radar and served as the lead plane for P-38 formations who were bombing through cloud-covered targets.  It could often pick out targets and checkpoints which would otherwise be obscured by weather.  The operator was housed in the forward part of the gondola with a large side window, but did not have any forward visibility, which a Droop Snoot bombardier would have.  Very few P-38s were modified as Pathfinders.