I havnt been able to catch one on film yet, but the P38 is prone to almost instantly (without warning) going into a tail round spin when pulling intermediate Gs out of a nose down dive at under 300 mph. This happens regardless of flap setting.
In AH1 this spin was only slightly tail-round an appeared almost like aileron rolls from the cockpit pov, and it was usually non-terminal.
Under AH2 it is so quickly and violently tail-round it takes alot more time to recover than is usually availible.
It used to be an annoyance, but now it is becoming a problem many are experiencing. I see no caution of accelerated stalling causing an instant spin...to the contrary....
Hanger Flying, Issue 2 Published by Lockheed Aircraft Corp, written by Lockheed P38 test pilots
The '38 is a pilot's dream-come-true when it comes to the stall characteristics. They are unusually good and-although not generally used-are worthwhile investigating so that in an emergency you will know what performance to expect from your ship. We have discovered that the power stall occurs at about 70 M.P.H. with about a 50-foot loss of altitude. The counter rotating propellers eliminate torque and there is no tendency for either wing to dip or fall away. You will find "she" is just as steady in a power off stall with gear and flaps retracted or extended.
One of the finest characteristics of the '38 is the accelerated stall. Such stalls, accompanied by normal buffeting, occur on any ship when the angle of attack is increased to the point that the airflow over the wing becomes turbulent.
As you know, this can happen in sharp turns, pull-outs or other severe maneuvers. The '38 is designed to take the buffeting of the stall and has no tendency to fall off on either wing at any altitude. If combat necessitates, you can hold it in the accelerated stall as long as you can take the buffeting -- the ship will take it much longer. To get out of an accelerated stall immediately, ease up on the stick, permitting the airflow to reestablish normal lift.
I really dont believe it is accurate for the P38 to go instantly into a maple seed spin when an accelerated stall happens in the nose down verticle. I hope the issue will be looked at.
