Photo Recon

P‑38 Photo Reconnaissance planes (called F‑4s and F‑5s) and their pilots were the eyes of the AAF. Their only weapon was a camera. (Note the camera opening on the side in the photo below.) The F‑4 was the first version of the unarmed Lightning, and the F‑5 was an extension of that design (based on the P‑38E). The F‑5 carried from 3 to 5 precision cameras in their nose, which could be operated by…