P38L loadout?

[straffo]

Originally posted by killnu
dunno, i seen that same photo in a Janes, book of ww2 planes, and it said"the standard 14 rocket loadout"  with regards to the P38L in the photo above.

Dunno I've ordered a book about the 38 some week ago but perhaps it got sunk by a UBoot in the middle of the Atlantic ...
who knows ...

Originally posted by thrila
Didn't tiffies sometimes carry 16 rockets?

Yes with 2 rocket for each rail,but in operation only 4 where added on the 2 external rail.

[Guppy35]

Originally posted by killnu
dunno, i seen that same photo in a Janes, book of ww2 planes, and it said"the standard 14 rocket loadout"  with regards to the P38L in the photo above.

Stuff I've seen says that for that loadout it required modifications to the standard P38 Wing.  The "Christmas tree" launchers were the solution used instead.

So apparently the cost of having to retool the wing wasn't worth the additional rockets and the tree was a better solution.

Warren Bodie's book on the 38 says 'few if any" rocket equipped Ls made it to the 9th AF in the ETO.

Dan/CorkyJr

[Guppy35]

Originally posted by Bodhi
Guppy,

Check your email when you get the chance.

Nothing in the e-mail Bodhi,

spit12@frontiernet.net


Dan/CorkyJr

[Murdr]

It was the original design configuration.  I could see where that would lead to the error "the standard 14 rocket loadout".  As Dan said, they found problems with that configuration and abandoned it for the rocket tree.  Cant really find anything one way or the other if any actually made it to theater with the 14 zero-lenghth rail configuration.

[bolillo_loco]

Originally posted by Guppy35
Ok finally found reference to combat use in the 49th FG history "Protect & Avenge"

Quoting the book:

"Eight late model L Lightnings had been picked up by the more fortunate Blacksheep pilots gone on leave in Hawaii and were ferried all the way back to Linguyan via Pacific route through Wake and Guam Islands.  These particular P38s were fitted with detachable underwing racks, each of which could mount 5 60 pound high velocity rockets.  The Vee-shaped racks hung down nearly 24 inches from the underwing surface and were likened to an upside down "Christmas Tree".  The 20mm cannon ammo was not carried when the six-hundred plus pounds of rockets and racks were fitted.

The rockets were only used on a few operational sorties in late April and May and proved to be very lethel.  The weapons were aimed through the standard Lockheed gunsight and were most effective at a range of up to 500 yards.  Many times 49ers found the rockets could be fired right into a cave entrance or through the side of a fortified bunker that otherwise could not be hit with dive-bombing techniques.  However the Ops people considered napalm to be tactically more effective."

Not sure how many AH drivers want to give up their 20mm for rockets

Image from the book showing an operational P38 with the rocket trees.

Dan/CorkyJr

I have the same book, glad you beat me to it you saved me the trouble.

[killnu]

soooo...ah....can we have them anyways?

[Karnak]

Originally posted by killnu
soooo...ah....can we have them anyways?

The Tempest doesn't get rockets, even though it used them post war.  The Spitfire's only get two rockets, despit the fact that in post war service it can be found with four.

So, no.

[straffo]

Originally posted by killnu
soooo...ah....can we have them anyways?

no

[killnu]

darn:(


  figured id try to sneak one by.  

[Bodhi]

Originally posted by Guppy35
Nothing in the e-mail Bodhi,

spit12@frontiernet.net


Dan/CorkyJr

Check your email now.

[SKJohn]

Originally posted by Sikboy
I think the real problem here is HTC's bias against American Aircraft.

-Sik

Then why do we have so many of them?

[Schutt]

I noticed that some aircraft in reality loaded either rockets or bombs, in ah2 they can load both.

Not sure which one, but i think the P47 is listed in a book of mine to either carry the wing bombs or rockets, in ah2 it loads up with both.

When they they they left away the ammo when loading rockets to the p38 i guess they did also not load bombs? i have no evidence of that, just a question.

[Guppy35]

Originally posted by Schutt
I noticed that some aircraft in reality loaded either rockets or bombs, in ah2 they can load both.

Not sure which one, but i think the P47 is listed in a book of mine to either carry the wing bombs or rockets, in ah2 it loads up with both.

When they they they left away the ammo when loading rockets to the p38 i guess they did also not load bombs? i have no evidence of that, just a question.

Just to put this one to rest before it gets too far

Image of a 404th FG, 9th AF P47D with a loadout of rockets and 3 bombs.  The issue was often that the Jugs or 51s were carrying drop tanks with the rockets.

These 9th AF guys were close enough to the front lines they could take the whole load with them and not worry about the range.

Photo out there somewhere that I can't find at the moment showing an N model in the Pac with 8 rockets and bombs on the hard points too as well

Dan/CorkyJr

[Guppy35]

Found it.  318th FG P47N loaded out with 10 rockets and what look to be 1000 pounders on the wings and a 500 pounder under the fuselage.

Thats a lot of firepower

Dan/CorkyJr

[Sikboy]

Originally posted by SKJohn
Then why do we have so many of them?

Lots of targets for Comrade Hitech's communist death machines!

-Sik