XP-76 Double Lightning

[kerick]

It could carry as many bombs as a B-17!
This is awesome.

[zenrat]

Wow.

[Tophe]

In 1944, when the RAF wanted to buy the Lightning PR19, the American P-76 was candidate but General Kit refused it, arguing "the huge span is very good but 4 engines is too much", so the P-38HS (HugeSpan?) was designed, and mass ordered as Lightning PR19, in 20,000 copies (before cancellation alas):

[PR19_Kit]

FANTASTIC! 

I LOVE it! 

But being a tad JMNish I think the USAAC would have called it an F-6, previous PR Lightnings being F-4s and F-5s.

Maybe an F-19? 

[Scotaidh]

In 1944, when the RAF wanted to buy the Lightning PR19, the American P-76 was candidate but General Kit refused it, arguing "the huge span is very good but 4 engines is too much", so the P-38HS (HugeSpan?) was designed, and mass ordered as Lightning PR19, in 20,000 copies (before cancellation alas):

LOL!!  I never thought of that, Tophe!    You never cease to amaze me, sir.   

[kerick]

In 1944, when the RAF wanted to buy the Lightning PR19, the American P-76 was candidate but General Kit refused it, arguing "the huge span is very good but 4 engines is too much", so the P-38HS (HugeSpan?) was designed, and mass ordered as Lightning PR19, in 20,000 copies (before cancellation alas):

LOL!!  I never thought of that, Tophe!    You never cease to amaze me, sir. 

Now fit some Griffon engines and contra rotating props! 

[Scotaidh]

In 1944, when the RAF wanted to buy the Lightning PR19, the American P-76 was candidate but General Kit refused it, arguing "the huge span is very good but 4 engines is too much", so the P-38HS (HugeSpan?) was designed, and mass ordered as Lightning PR19, in 20,000 copies (before cancellation alas):

LOL!!  I never thought of that, Tophe!    You never cease to amaze me, sir. 

Now fit some Griffon engines and contra rotating props! 

I was thinking more of  Sea Fury-esque five-bladed monsters - handed, of course.

So - who's gonna build this monster?

[PR19_Kit]

In 1944, when the RAF wanted to buy the Lightning PR19, the American P-76 was candidate but General Kit refused it, arguing "the huge span is very good but 4 engines is too much", so the P-38HS (HugeSpan?) was designed, and mass ordered as Lightning PR19, in 20,000 copies (before cancellation alas):

LOL!!  I never thought of that, Tophe!    You never cease to amaze me, sir. 

Now fit some Griffon engines and contra rotating props! 

I was thinking more of  Sea Fury-esque five-bladed monsters - handed, of course.

So - who's gonna build this monster?

Just give me time................ 

[Tophe]

There were other versions of P-76:

[Scotaidh]

There were other versions of P-76:

Ah, yes - the troop-carrying versions.     The third one was used to insert covert spy teams - they'd simply open the rear hatch of their nacelle and parachute to the ground.  In this way, two teams of four could be inserted anywhere within the aircraft's range.  With other P-38s flying night missions in the area to confuse any listeners on the ground, it was a very secure method of insertion.

[Tophe]

Thanks for this Historical explanation!
Here is a slanting view of these 3 ones:

[TheChronicOne]

Sweeeeeeeeeeet!

[comrade harps]

I really like the long nose. It adds to the excess of the whole thing. Rather like the long bonnet and long boot of a "yank tank" sedan. 

[Tophe]

It seems several P-76 were converted into P-76-II:

[andys]

Presumably the 8-engined one had a combat radius of 20 miles or so and an endurance of 15 minutes, due to the fuel consumption?