The problem is that the USAAF did not accept the Lockheed and Allison power ratings, at least on an official level. Rumors exist of a release of the power settings, but as yet, no one has produced a copy of that release. We know for certain that the power settings were used, several pilots known personally by some of us used them. We also know for certain what those settings were, and what speeds they produced. However, since the USAAF did not accept those ratings, HTC will not allow them. The Lockheed and Allison people went into the field, down to the unit level, and showed the pilots and the crew chiefs what to do and how to do it. It was used, but not acknowledged. Therefore, the P-38L only has military power, and not WEP. If you look at the ratings, you'll notice this, it is very obvious.
Bodie was a Lockheed engineer. He has access to the factory test logs. Yes, he knew Kelly Johnson personally. The Lockheed test logs show a top speed of 442MPH, according to Bodie. He also knew Kelsey as well.
Art Heiden, pilot of "Lucky Lady", whom both Widewing and I know, Widewing much better than I, stated on several occasions that the L was considerably more powerful than the J. Any number of other P-38 pilots said the same as well.
GM spent an incredible amount of money on the Allison -30 engine development program. One of the main features of the -30 was a dramaticly improved intake manifold, which provided much better mixture distribution, which not only balanced the output of the individual cylinders better, but improved that output as well, with all around better flow. Further, it for the most part eliminated the tendency for the fuel itself to separate and lose octane. All of this combined to create a substantial increase in resistance to detonation, which increased the amount of boost that could be used. Center counterweights were added to the crankshaft to reduced vibration, in both normal and 2nd order, allowing the engine to make more power with less stress, and to turn higher RPM for longer periods of time. Among the turbocharged Allison engines installed in the P-38, only the two installed in the P-38K were more powerful than the -30 in the P-38L.
Here's what Widewing wrote a few years back. I checked it all out and verified it with several sources, including Bodie himself, as well as asking a few pilots who flew both the J and the L:
The following are the CORRECT stats for the Allison V-1710F-30. Write 'em down somewhere.... Ratings [minutes] Power RPM Manifold [in.Hg] Altitude [ft] Normal (no limit) 1,100 2,600 44 30,000 Take Off (5) 1,475 3,000 54 SL Military (15) 1,475 3,000 54 30,000 WEP (5) 1,725 3,000 60 28,700 My regards, C.C. Jordan
The most commonly printed max speed numbers for the P-38L state 414 mph. How interesting. Consider that the L was fitted with the -30 Allisons, as opposed to the -17 on the J. There is a big difference, and I'll go into that a little later. The typical numbers presented for the J are 421 mph IN WEP. The typical numbers presented for the L are 414 mph IN METO. This is one of the pitfalls of using commercially available data. It usually isn't researched very well. The difference between METO and WEP is 600 hp. The -30 produced a minimum of 1,725 hp in WEP. As opposed to 1,425 hp in METO. The -17 installed in the P-38J had the same METO rating as the -30 at 1,425 hp. However, the -17 only made 1,600 hp in WEP. The additional power could push the L to speeds over 440 mph. Warren Bodie concludes the maximum speed in WEP as 443 mph at altitudes between 20,000 and 23,500 ft. Bodie obtained his data directly from Lockheed, where he was employed as an engineer on the U-2 and F-117 programs. Therefore, I tend to except Bodie as a more credible source than Green and Swanborough et al. My regards, C.C. Jordan
Max climb rate at sea level: 4,225 fpm (50% fuel, normal ammo) Max climb rate at 23,400 ft: 3,940 fpm Time to 23,400 ft: 5.94 minutes Time to 30,000 ft: 8.86 minutes Service Ceiling: 44,000 ft.
The basic performance figures for the P-38L are as follows (from Lockheed factory test logbooks): Max speed at sea level: 352 mph Max speed at 5,500 ft : 369 mph Max speed at 23,500 ft. 440 mph (WEP) 5 minutes max. Max speed at critical alt: 444 mph @ 25,800 (WEP) 5 minutes max.
I'm sure both Widewing and Dan have more, and I have to leave for work. Enjoy the day.
