Originally posted by Karnak
So it will out turn the Yak-9U, Spitfire Mk XIV and Ki-84 (speaking of the G and L, not the J in regards to the Ki-84)?
Well, the P-38G accelerates rather leisurely when compared to the other two P-38s. Likewise, climb rate is about 25% less. However, the G will easily out-turn a Yak-9U. Likewise, the SpitXIV pilot who decides to turn fight the G is foolish. Tha Spit, more than the SpitIX, is best used as an energy fighter, where its acceleration and climb can be best used.
Above 150 mph, the Ki-84 will have its hands very full with any P-38, but the J and L especially. Between 150 and 250, the P-38 has flaps deployed and will turn inside the Ki-84 with relative ease. If the Ki-84 survives long enough to get his flaps out (150 mph and less) he gets the advantage. But, by then the P-38 would have unloaded and extended. I'm assuming this fight occurs on the deck. Go up a several thousand feet and the P-38J/L accelerates as well or better than the Ki-84, and climbs a bit better too. At 10k or above, the Ki-84 is at a significant disadvantage in every category but very low-speed turning.
I recently checked actual acceleration times.
At all altitudes, the P-38J accelerates faster than the Yak-9U. Moreover, it climbs considerably faster as well. At sea level, the P-38J requires 36.57 seconds to accelerate from 200 mph to 300 mph. The Yak needs 37.40 seconds
As for the Ki-84, at sea level it needs 35.96 seconds to do the same. However, at 5k the P-38J accelerates a bit better than the Hayate. At 10k, the difference is significant. At 20k, the difference is huge, with the P-38J getting to 300 mph almost 15 seconds sooner. In fact, at 20k, the P-38J is the fastest accelerating prop fighter in the plane set, bar none. The Yak is far behind as well. Even the SpitXIV falls short, losing by 1.4 seconds.
Don't discount what a reasonably skilled pilot can do with the P-38J/L, it's easily in the top ten for all-around performance.
As an aside:
Tonight I did some speed runs with the faster fighters. Using E6B, I checked max speed at three altitudes, 28.5k, 25k and 20k.
Results are as follows.
28.5k
F4U-4: 445 mph
SpitXIV: 444 mph
109G-10: 436 mph
P-51D: 433 mph
P-38J: 412 mph
Fw 190D-9: 410 mph
25K
F4U-4: 446 mph
109G-10: 443 mph
P-51D: 441 mph (a bit faster than expected)
SpitXIV: 441 mph
Fw 190D-9: 421 mph
P-38J: 420 mph (within 0.5 mph of the Eglin Field tests, @ 420.5)
20k
109G-10: 444 mph
F4U-4: 439 mph
Fw 190D-9: 426 mph
P-51D: 425 mph
SpitXIV 420 mph
P-38J: 405 mph
My regards,
Widewing