The P-38 didn't shine flying out of England. But in the Pacific the AAF wanted every one they could get
keep in mind though they ordered them earlier they got both the P-38's and the p-51's at about the same time, with in a few months of each other anyway...granted it took a bit before they put the bigger engine in the Mustang it didnt take them that long....had they got the P38 earlier they may have been happier with it given its long legs compared to the other planes on order in '39 but by 41/42 it was less of an issue with the 51 around
