J-38 Jetning

[Tophe]

that engine does look like a stage from a Saturn V rocket       

yes, and the rocket engine hypothesis matches better the Moon goal, but there would be quite a range issue  

[sandiego89]

Keep the mind working Tophe- it does wonders!  All the best for you.

I made my jet P-38 with bifurcated jet pipes (Sea Hawk style) 

[kerick]

Shyly?!
I'd say that was a grand entrance! Some scalorama will be needed.

[Tophe]

Thanks kerick for these words!
and thanks sandiego89 for this inspiring model!

[Tophe]

With thanks again, according to my angles and "colors":

[Tophe]

And of course with a Tophe's touch:  

[perttime]

Thanks for the support my friends,

to be drawn later better with computer:

Back home, I am trying shyly...

Replacing the two pistons by a huge turbofan was like the maximum engine change. A witch doctor interrogated Kelly Johnson-s spirit about it, 1999, and he answered this will propel her to the Moon!

No relation with the Stipa-Caproni?

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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stipa-Caproni

[Tophe]

hehehe!

[Tophe]

This version was more asymmetric:

[Tophe]

Replacing the two pistons by a huge turbofan was like the maximum engine change.

Ahem, less change (and even more power) could come saying a P-38 must be twin-engined, so double turbofan if turbofan!
Another aspect is twin-boom classification: the P-38 has no pusher propeller, no rear door or post or jet, it had long-engine booms, this is much increased on this version:

[Tophe]

The same was possible without crazy turbofan, of course.
And it is still different from sandiego89's for the undercarriage, booms, nose...

[Tophe]

Of course, making a double-turbofan Lightning was also possible by a zwilling process from the single-turbofan one. I imagine several possible tails.

[Tophe]

Opposite to the huge turbofans were the microjets by MicroTurbo or else (used for take-off then retracted for glider flight): 

[Wardukw]

  
Kits first rule Tophe mate..needs longer wings 🪽 😋

[PR19_Kit]

 
Kits first rule Tophe mate..needs longer wings 🪽 😋

Absolutely!