P-28 L, J, or G?

[dhaus]

Which P-38 is "better" in the MA?  I had assumed it would be the 38L, but I read somewhere that the 38G and J got more kills/death.  Could be the better sticks fly those, or are they better?

[Rafe35]

Gotta luv P-38J better!

[Captain Virgil Hilts]

The J has a better K/D ratio because people use the L as a dumptruck to deliver ordnance. The G has a better K/D ratio because the hottest P-38 jocks fly it and they can get kills and survive in any ride.

The hotter P-38 guys fly the J and G, skewing the K/D ratio, because neither is as good as the L for "delivery". A lot of people who are not great sticks fly the L simply to "deliver."

As a fighter, the J has two disadvantages compared to the L. The J rolls slower the faster you go because it does not have power assist ailerons. The J does not have dive flaps.

That being said, I fly the J on fighter missions and the L on attack missions. I rarely ever fly the G because it has the same drawbacks as the J plus it has less power. I'm simply not good enough to fly the G and live.

That's as simple as I can cover it, there are more details, as there is a lot to flying a P-38.

[StarOfAfrica2]

And he does it fairly well too.  I have holes in a couple 109s to attest to it.  

[Guppy35]

Originally posted by Captain Virgil Hilts
The J has a better K/D ratio because people use the L as a dumptruck to deliver ordnance. The G has a better K/D ratio because the hottest P-38 jocks fly it and they can get kills and survive in any ride.

The hotter P-38 guys fly the J and G, skewing the K/D ratio, because neither is as good as the L for "delivery". A lot of people who are not great sticks fly the L simply to "deliver."

As a fighter, the J has two disadvantages compared to the L. The J rolls slower the faster you go because it does not have power assist ailerons. The J does not have dive flaps.

That being said, I fly the J on fighter missions and the L on attack missions. I rarely ever fly the G because it has the same drawbacks as the J plus it has less power. I'm simply not good enough to fly the G and live.

That's as simple as I can cover it, there are more details, as there is a lot to flying a P-38.

I only fly the G.  Definately not a good stick, but I really love that bird

Dan/CorkyJr

[Ack-Ack]

Over all the L is the better of the three.  Having said that, I myself prefer the J as it was the historical ride of the 479th Fighter Group before the 8th AAF stuck its collective heads up their tulips and replaced them with the P-51D.

I'm also like Savage and use the J as my primary fighter and the L for attack sorties.

The G is just fun to fly.


ack-ack

[Captain Virgil Hilts]

Originally posted by StarOfAfrica2
And he does it fairly well too.  I have holes in a couple 109s to attest to it.  

Who?

Can't be me, I can't even keep a 1.5:1 K/D ratio.

Best guys in the P-38G are probably KillnU, CPorky, and CorkyJr.
They're good in a J as well, and add Murdr to that bunch.
Add AKAK, Pellik, and a couple of others in the L.

[Captain Virgil Hilts]

Originally posted by Ack-Ack
Over all the L is the better of the three.  Having said that, I myself prefer the J as it was the historical ride of the 479th Fighter Group before the 8th AAF stuck its collective heads up their tulips and replaced them with the P-51D.

I'm also like Savage and use the J as my primary fighter and the L for attack sorties.

The G is just fun to fly.


ack-ack

The J just doesn't cut it as an attack ride. The rocket tubes are a drag, literally, and the lack of dive flaps makes it difficult to bomb from altitude at speed. It can be done, don't get me wrong, but I just don't do it.

I like the light feel of the J for fighter work, although I miss the fast roll rate at speed, and the dive flaps (I use them like a pilot from the 55th FG 8th AF told me too) of the L model. If you fight at medium or lower speeds, the lack of aileron boost doesn't hurt the J. And it has a light enough feel you don't notice the dive flaps not being there except in a terminal dive, and if you know how to handle it you can pull out anyway.

I am certain that the use of the J for an almost exclusively fighter role, and by the better P-38 sticks, skews the stats considerably.

Or maybe the reverse could be said, the average dump truck driver using the L model as an attack ride in the suicide mode skews the stats the other way.

As to the G model, I KNOW that most average or worse pilots take it up ONCE, and never again, due to the lack of WEP, roll rate at high speed, and the lack of dive flaps. But the good P-38 sticks will use it to beat average pilots in late war planes like a drum. I've SEEN good P-38 pilots soundly thrash late war planes in a G model, even when outnumbered and at a speed/alt/E disadvantage. They make the G look good. I should fly it more, it would likely help my skills improve.

[dhaus]

Thanks!  As I recall, the 38 in Air Warrior had a ton of tricks tied the flaps.  (I've also been to the 479th website and read up on some of Murdr's files , among other resources )  I guess I better head back and get the views out of a J set up.

[Delirium]

I think Pellik said it best to me...

"The L is better for beating chumps and the J is better for beating aces."

Simply put, the J is a little more friendly at lower speeds and doesn't mush as bad nose high as the L. The L however, is much better at higher speed and for taking high speed snap shots.

[Captain Virgil Hilts]

Originally posted by dhaus
Thanks!  As I recall, the 38 in Air Warrior had a ton of tricks tied the flaps.  (I've also been to the 479th website and read up on some of Murdr's files , among other resources )  I guess I better head back and get the views out of a J set up.

They aren't really "tricks", it's just the ability to take advantage of the platform. The high aspect ratio wing, good power to weight ratio, and zero net torque combines with efficient flaps to give excellent maneuverability and stability. It's not a flaw in the model, its the way the plane was. But we can do things here that only the best did in real life, because we don't really die during the learning curve.

[killnu]

I prefer the G just because it is sexier...and most expect less from it.  I will use the L for attack only, awesome ord package on that baby...one of the best jabo's in game.
~S~

[Widewing]

Originally posted by Delirium
I think Pellik said it best to me...

"The L is better for beating chumps and the J is better for beating aces."

Simply put, the J is a little more friendly at lower speeds and doesn't mush as bad nose high as the L. The L however, is much better at higher speed and for taking high speed snap shots.

I have tested the P-38J and P-38L extensively, and the differences are more figment than fact. Identical speed, acceleration and climb. The L rolls much faster at medium to high speeds, and the dive recovery flaps allow for much better control at high speed. On the other hand, the J weighs a bit less than the L, and that may help in sustained turn, maybe... Everything depends on weight of fuel aboard, with the lighter aircraft having the advantage.

My regards,

Widewing

[dhaus]

Thanks.  I didn't mean to denigrate the 38's capabilities by calling them "tricks."  I just hope to learn what it can do in AH, and use it to the best of my ability.  Hope to be up tonight.

[Rino]

Originally posted by Captain Virgil Hilts
The J just doesn't cut it as an attack ride. The rocket tubes are a drag, literally, and the lack of dive flaps makes it difficult to bomb from altitude at speed. It can be done, don't get me wrong, but I just don't do it.

I like the light feel of the J for fighter work, although I miss the fast roll rate at speed, and the dive flaps (I use them like a pilot from the 55th FG 8th AF told me too) of the L model. If you fight at medium or lower speeds, the lack of aileron boost doesn't hurt the J. And it has a light enough feel you don't notice the dive flaps not being there except in a terminal dive, and if you know how to handle it you can pull out anyway.

I am certain that the use of the J for an almost exclusively fighter role, and by the better P-38 sticks, skews the stats considerably.

Or maybe the reverse could be said, the average dump truck driver using the L model as an attack ride in the suicide mode skews the stats the other way.

As to the G model, I KNOW that most average or worse pilots take it up ONCE, and never again, due to the lack of WEP, roll rate at high speed, and the lack of dive flaps. But the good P-38 sticks will use it to beat average pilots in late war planes like a drum. I've SEEN good P-38 pilots soundly thrash late war planes in a G model, even when outnumbered and at a speed/alt/E disadvantage. They make the G look good. I should fly it more, it would likely help my skills improve.

     My biggest trouble with the G is just that vis is just awful.  The
armor glass seems to reflect at just the right time to completely
pork my already horrid shooting.