P38G and P38J and a reworked P38l

[Ack-Ack]

Originally posted by Captain Virgil Hilts


There is much arguement about what the flaps were capable of, and what the pilots did with them. Pilots I know said that even above 25K, they'd drop the dive flaps and chase an enemy right on down to the deck if they wanted, without any worries of compressing and diving into the ground. Many will dispute this vehemently.

Didn't Levier show this in a flight demo he did when the late model Js and L models were starting to roll out to convince pilots that the P-38 can infact dive safely?



ack-ack

[Captain Virgil Hilts]

Originally posted by Ack-Ack
I heard the F was the best of the turners but the worst in the vertical.  


ack-ack

The F was somewhat underpowered, due to the inefficiencies of the intercoolers and the radiators, not to mention the engines themselves just could not make as much power. I'm not sure the F is enough lighter than either the G or H to make it turn better, and with lower power the sustained turn may not be as good.

[eilif]

the g is lighter than the f, there were some engine tweaks with the release of the g but im not sure what they did, if anything hp wise.  and the f sure stinks in the verticle vs zeros, that i can vouch for! bleeds e rediculously bad.

[Captain Virgil Hilts]

Originally posted by Ack-Ack
Didn't Levier show this in a flight demo he did when the late model Js and L models were starting to roll out to convince pilots that the P-38 can infact dive safely?



ack-ack

Levier did a bunch of demonstrations, all over the place. It is quite possible he did one or more demonstrations of the improved dive capabilites as well. Just thumbing through Levier's report on his trip to Europe in early 44, I see not mention of the dive demonstration specifically. However, Art said they didn't get their P-38J-25-Lo's until April or so. Levier's report was for a visit in February and March.

However, Levier had plenty to say about screw ups in the manual and in the command staff. Very little was being done correctly, and most of that was being done only by a few. What he found is EXACTLY what was wrong with the 8th AF with regards to the P-38.

[Guppy35]

My eyes start to glaze over when the data starts to fly.

I'm going to die alot in the G model cause I think the early model small intake 38s are the best looking of the Lightnings.

That and those early model 38 drivers were the ones taking on the vets of the LW and Japanese whether it be in North Africa up through Sicily and Italy, or over Rabaul etc.

Sometimes flying a plane in AH has more to do with what it represents to the person flying it.

It isn't always about having the one that goes the fastest, turns the best, flies the highest or has the best guns.

It doesn't have to be uber to be fun

Dan/Slack

[BUG_EAF322]

Flying lightning is flying with style.

[Guppy35]

Originally posted by Captain Virgil Hilts
Levier did a bunch of demonstrations, all over the place. It is quite possible he did one or more demonstrations of the improved dive capabilites as well. Just thumbing through Levier's report on his trip to Europe in early 44, I see not mention of the dive demonstration specifically. However, Art said they didn't get their P-38J-25-Lo's until April or so. Levier's report was for a visit in February and March.

However, Levier had plenty to say about screw ups in the manual and in the command staff. Very little was being done correctly, and most of that was being done only by a few. What he found is EXACTLY what was wrong with the 8th AF with regards to the P-38.

From Bodie's book on the Lightning

"Unfortunately, during the Levier tour, a Douglas C54 that was carrying more then 200 sets of dive-flap retrofit kits to be installed on virtually all P38J-10-LO through -20-LO fighters in the UK was shot down by an overzelous RAF pilot who mistook the Skymaster for a FW200 Condor."

It also mentions that Levier did do demonstrations in a P38J-10-LO that had been modfied with all the P38J-25/L retrofit changes that brought it up to P38L standards.  Levier's 38 was named "Snafuperman".

He did do dive tests against P47s with this 38 and had no trouble with it.

Dan/Slack

[ccvi]

Originally posted by Kweassa
Only 3 degrees???

Some time ago someone posted some source that said it would pull out the plane with 4 g...

[Gixer]

Originally posted by Ack-Ack
It's the only thing that is keeping me from cancelling my account.  I just wonder which of the J models we'll be getting.  I hope an early model J as the late model J would be a little redundant since we have the L model.


ack-ack

Cancel your account? Cripes I thought you were hard coded into the thing.  



...-Gixer

[Nilsen]

Originally posted by Guppy35
It isn't always about having the one that goes the fastest, turns the best, flies the highest or has the best guns.

It doesn't have to be uber to be fun

Dan/Slack

bingo!

[Sikboy]

I'm jazzed about the addition of the "G"

I'm really hoping we get a Ki-43, or A6M3 to go with it

Hellooooo New Guinea!

-Sik

[TheDudeDVant]

LoL I have not flown since before the ki43.. I have not even d/l'd that update yet..

I now have 2 reasons to come back to AH soon! glllleeeeeeeeeee

[Urchin]

Originally posted by Guppy35


Sometimes flying a plane in AH has more to do with what it represents to the person flying it.

It isn't always about having the one that goes the fastest, turns the best, flies the highest or has the best guns.

It doesn't have to be uber to be fun

Dan/Slack

Boy do I see some heartache in your future...  

I think the time will come when you get sick of handicapping yourself vis a vis the horde.  Comes around for me every 2 or 3 months or so.

[Guppy35]

Originally posted by Urchin
Boy do I see some heartache in your future...  

I think the time will come when you get sick of handicapping yourself vis a vis the horde.  Comes around for me every 2 or 3 months or so.

Nah

If you listen in long enough, you notice that guys like Honch, who never leaves his P40, seem to have the most fun as they could care less about the K/D and get their kicks out of doing more with less so to speak.

If I end up getting that frustrated, I can always hop back in a Spit V and turn and burn for a while

I cant bring myself to fly the late war uber rides anyway.  It's the principle of the thing

Dan/Slack

[Honch]

I just figure, If I'm gunna wreck a plane, I may as well wreck one noone uses much.  Save the La7s and Spits for the good pilots who know how to use 'em.