Author Topic: P38 D in combat (Read 586 times)

Delirium · « **on:** March 20, 2004, 05:06:40 PM »

Does anyone know of any P38 Ds that saw combat? If so, where? Do you know of any pictures of them at the frontline?

Guppy35 · « **Reply #1 on:** March 20, 2004, 10:56:45 PM »

Not many D's built, 36 in all I believe. The E model was the earliest version to see combat, with the 54th FS up in the Aleutians. depending on who you believe, some E models may have made it to North Africa, but I don't know that it has ever been proven.

The F was really the first combat 38 with the ability to carry long range drop tanks etc. The E's operated in the Aleutians were upgraded to something similar to this standard

Dan/Slack

Rafe35 · « **Reply #2 on:** March 20, 2004, 11:02:36 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Guppy35
Not many D's built, 36 in all I believe. The E model was the earliest version to see combat, with the 54th FS up in the Aleutians. depending on who you believe, some E models may have made it to North Africa, but I don't know that it has ever been proven.

The F was really the first combat 38 with the ability to carry long range drop tanks etc. The E's operated in the Aleutians were upgraded to something similar to this standard

Dan/Slack

The Lockheed P-38L model was better than all older model, am I correct? What about the P-38M night fighter?

BTW, Guppy, P-38D = 36 [40-774/809].

Delirium · « **Reply #3 on:** March 21, 2004, 01:51:47 AM »

From what I remember, the earlier P38s were actually faster than the later models but were more prone to compression problems and overheating of the engines.

The reason I asked about the P38D was I curious if that 37mm gun saw combat on the P38s.

SunTracker · « **Reply #4 on:** March 21, 2004, 07:23:12 AM »

I remember reading that P38Ds sunk a mini-sub either in Hawaii or off the coast of California.

Rafe35 · « **Reply #5 on:** March 21, 2004, 09:06:11 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by Delirium
From what I remember, the earlier P38s were actually faster than the later models but were more prone to compression problems and overheating of the engines.

The reason I asked about the P38D was I curious if that 37mm gun saw combat on the P38s.

I thought P-38D carry 23mm instead 37mm and P-39 only carry 37mm.

killnu · « **Reply #6 on:** March 21, 2004, 11:06:08 AM »

i read in a thread by ackack that early 38s were fitted with 37mm, but for the mass produced ones, they went with more reliable 20mm. id have to dig the thread up that had the post, was a great read actually.
~S~

Director · « **Reply #7 on:** March 21, 2004, 11:14:48 AM »

Here's a good place to start: http://p-38online.com/

It specifically notes that the P38D was the first American aircraft to score a kill against the Luftwaffe, on August 14, 1942.

Delirium · « **Reply #8 on:** March 21, 2004, 03:40:25 PM »

Was this kill the first and only by the P38Ds? Was there a P38D equipped squadron in service?

Rafe35 · « **Reply #9 on:** March 21, 2004, 06:24:42 PM »

P-38D was first to call "Lighting" in sometime 1941 and I have no clue what squadron use P-38D.

Widewing · « **Reply #10 on:** March 21, 2004, 07:22:46 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Director
Here's a good place to start: http://p-38online.com/

It specifically notes that the P38D was the first American aircraft to score a kill against the Luftwaffe, on August 14, 1942.

Unfortunately, this website is incorrect and probably guilty of using common, yet poorly researched source material. On August 14, 1942, Ezra Shahan shot down an FW 200C Condor 9 miles off the coast of Iceland. Shahan was attached to the 27th FS of the 1st FG, he was flying a P-38F-1-LO, S/N reported to be 41-7547. Shortly after, the 27th flew on to Britain, and then North Africa for Operation Torch. The 27th FS was retained in Iceland for 5 weeks during July and August of '42.

No P-38Ds ever deployed for combat outside CONUS. No P-38Ds or P-38Es were ever assigned to the 27th FS outside CONUS.

My regards,

Widewing

Widewing · « **Reply #11 on:** March 21, 2004, 07:31:34 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Rafe35
P-38D was first to call "Lighting" in sometime 1941 and I have no clue what squadron use P-38D.

The Brits named their version of the P-38 the "Lightning". The name was adopted by the Army Air Force. These were the model 322s, lacking turbosuperchargers and counter rotating engines (all per British spec, as they wanted commonality with Allison powered Kittyhawks). These changes resulted in a major loss of combat ability and the Brits rejected these fighters, which were built to their own specification over the objections of Lockheed. They were taken by the USAAF (as the RP-322) and used in P-38 training squadrons, where they were universally disliked.

My regards,

Widewing