Author Topic: Question about the P38G (Read 558 times)

SunKing · « **on:** January 29, 2005, 02:24:36 PM »

Simple question. Why does the P38G have armour glass in front of the pilot. Was there a particular reason to have armour in front rather than behind the pilot? Did the P38 specialize in head on attacks?

gwshaw · « **Reply #1 on:** January 29, 2005, 02:28:25 PM »

Pretty much all the US/RAF/Luftwaffe fighters had armor glass windscreens or inserts. It wasn't just the P-38G.

Greg Shaw

SunKing · « **Reply #2 on:** January 29, 2005, 02:32:53 PM »

What was the reason for? Ground fire or air to air?

Captain Virgil Hilts · « **Reply #3 on:** January 29, 2005, 02:49:19 PM »

The reason it is there on the G model is that the H and earlier P-38's did not have a flat panel armored glass windscreen. All the early models had a rounded windscreen that was not made of armored glass. It was switched because it obstructed the forward view, AND because the rounded glass distorted forward vision. Since the later models had a flat piece of armored glass for a windscreen , they did not need the piece inside the cockpit.

By the way, you made a nice fire and such last night with the new fancy graphics.

SunKing · « **Reply #4 on:** January 29, 2005, 03:54:17 PM »

That's what I get flying that pig into a horde.

Widewing · « **Reply #5 on:** January 30, 2005, 09:29:48 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by SunKing
That's what I get flying that pig into a horde.

It's not a pig, but it is a big target. I have flown several sorties in the P-38G and it can handle just about anything you will run into. Just remember that the P-38G is a 1942 vintage fighter (first deliveries being in early June of 1942).

Put it up against the aircraft of that time period and it can hold its own. In the hands of someone who knows how to exploit it, the P-38G is quite lethal.

My regards,

Widewing

Bison · « **Reply #6 on:** January 30, 2005, 01:32:10 PM »

The P-38G is a nice aircraft. But all the planes offered are nice if you know how to use them. This holds true for the G most of all.
Compared to its vintage era planes the G is impressive, but you will not be just be facing similar era planes so become familiar with the G model in order to hold your own against later period planes.

Bison