P-38J request: 1,600 pound bombs

[LePaul]

I was reading about my most recent favorite ride over to this site and they mention the P-38J could carry the 1,600 pound bombs.  




Armament consisted of one 20-mm Hispano M2(C) cannon with 150 rounds plus four 0.50-inch Colt-Browning MG 53-2 machine guns with 500 rounds per gun. In addition two 500, 1000, or 1600-lb bombs or ten five-inch rockets could be carried on underwing racks.


Can we, please please

[Raptor]

Couldnt the P38L carry 2 2000lb bombs or torpedos?

[Tails]

It was tested with torps but never used the capability in active combat. I dont know if they were used with 1600 or 2000 lbs bombs, although, again, the capability was there.

[FuBaR]

The p38L could carry up to 3,200 lbs of bombs.

[Furball]

not 3,200lb.

32,000lb and 75 rockets.  it would still outclimb everything and outrun everything as it was the best fighter ever built.

[Captain Virgil Hilts]

Originally posted by LePaul
I was reading about my most recent favorite ride over to this site and they mention the P-38J could carry the 1,600 pound bombs.  




Armament consisted of one 20-mm Hispano M2(C) cannon with 150 rounds plus four 0.50-inch Colt-Browning MG 53-2 machine guns with 500 rounds per gun. In addition two 500, 1000, or 1600-lb bombs or ten five-inch rockets could be carried on underwing racks.


Can we, please please

The J model we have does not have the rocket trees. I THINK the earliest J model with rocket trees carrying 10 rockets is the P-38J-20-Lo, that is NOT the P-38 we have.

The P-38J could carry 2 2K bombs, but most J models could only carry the "bazooka tube" rockets like the J model we have.

SOME of the earlier P-38s were retrofitted to carry the rocket trees. The trees not only allowed more rockets to be carried, but caused a lot less drag both before AND after the rockets were fired.

[LePaul]

Which J variant is ours?

[Captain Virgil Hilts]

Originally posted by LePaul
Which J variant is ours?

I THINK Pyro said it was the J-10-Lo or MAYBE the J-15-Lo.

The J-20-Lo had either boost ailerons or dive flaps, I think,
I don't have my reference books handy.

The J-25-Lo was basically identical to the L models. Earlier
J models did not have dive flaps or boosted ailerons, and
also did not have the rocket trees. The earliest J models
got the flat armored windscreen, the chin mounted intercoolers,
improved engines (1600HP WEP), and improved electrical
systems and controls. With the new intercoolers came improved radiators and oil coolers.

They also had added fuel tanks in the leading edges of the outer wings where the old intercoolers
were.

[LePaul]

Thanks for the info.  Its become one of my favorite rides as of late.  Im mostly into bombers (Lancs, Ar234) but this model P-38 seems to be the most fun for me.