That's correct. The P-38 is documented with carrying 2-2000 lb bombs over Europe in Bodie's book 'The Lockheed P-38 Lightning' on page 202 and 203, it states that 1 droop snoot P-38 J (had a bombardier) and other regular P-38 J's carried out a bombing mission with 2 of the P-38J's carrying 4000 lbs (2-2000 lbs) of bombs. Can we get this included as part of the ordinances of the P-38 in mid war? Since this is historically correct. What say HTC?
Quoting an e-mail from a 474th pilot who I correspond with now and then. 474th flew 38s in the ETO until the end of the war in Europe.
"We even carried two 2000 lb bombs a few times. Had to use wooden sway bars that banged up the bird on bomb release
so we didn't do it often and 1k bombs were probably just as effective. Both 2k bombs had to be dropped together-on pull out,
the bomb shackle would come off from g force."
I think his comment about 1K bombs probably being just as effective, speaks to how much of a priority adding 2K bombs to the 38 should be.
And for what it's worth, the 474th history has all their mission load outs and they didn't carry 1K bombs until November 44. prior to that it was 500 pounders regularly.
So it's really not a mid-war bit, but a late in the game addition historically. 474th was a ground attack 38 group their entire time in the ETO so I'd suggest they are typical for ord carried.