P38 questions: P38s in AH2

[Ack-Ack]

Originally posted by The Fugitive
From a "specs" point of view I can't help ya. Ya thats what it says on the info page, but "human error" can happen any time.

From a flight point of view, the "G" is the lightest and most nimble of the bunch. If flown well it can pretty much out turn anything. Acceleration is good, but with-out WEP it can give ya fits sometimes  

The "J" is the best of the bunch from my point of view. Its a bit heavyer feeling, but with the extra power over the "G" can get out of trouble better.

The "L" is heavyer yet, but with the added power and controls I don't think it makes up for the extra weight.

The "G" excells as a turn fighter, the "L" excells as a BnZer, and the "J" does both very well.

Reading info either here, HTC's web site, Sodas and so on is good for a nice base line, but there is no substitute for stick time to really know a plane  

Would have to disagree about the J and the L.  Performance is almost equal between the two but the edge if performance clear goes to the L.  The L is the best of the lot and the boosted ailerons and dive flaps give it the edge against the J.  The L is far easier to stall fight in than the J and in high speed maneuvers as it's not as sluggish as the J is due to lack of boosted ailerons.


ack-ack

[TalonX]

Originally posted by Raptor01
Found that out the hard way, but it is actually good to see that. Now Spits and hurricanes can't use flaps to help them turn tighter. I disagree about the L being a BnZ plane... I find it turns just as well as the J, and the powered ailerons makes it roll better. In my opinion the J and L are unnoticably different in performance other than roll rate and ordinance they carry.

What is different to prevent them from using flaps to turn tighter?

[Ack-Ack]

Originally posted by Lazerr
I used to think the J was my favorite, but I find myself hoppin in the old trusty L more than ever now.

Same...I had flown nothing but the J when since its release but this last tour have flown nothing but the L and the L is such a sweet ride.



ack-ack

[Ack-Ack]

Originally posted by killnu
Widewing, ive turned very well in 38G with full flaps and have not had an issue.  not sure what the deal is that everyone else seems to be having.  I actually like them more now.  stall fighting, full flaps, all seems better to me.  maybe it has something to do with the fact im prolly the only 38 driver that uses Combat trim all the time?  dont know.

There have been some engagements there I've been full flaps and nothing happened other than riding the edge of the stall buffet but then there was also a fight that at full flaps, couldn't bring the nose up for a shot and had to dip it, raise 1 notch and then bring my nose up for the shot.


ack-ack

[Ack-Ack]

Originally posted by Krusty
Widewing was talking about since 2.07 patch1 is out, G with flaps is a bad thing. I found this out the very hard way by taking a G into a furball. I could NOT turn at all, basically. I need to re-learn them.

I think I'll devote next tour to US aircraft, including p38s. Only way to learn is to do.

There is no reason to "re-learn" any of the P-38 models after this recent update.  If you knew how to fight in the P-38 successfully before the update then you should still know how to fight successfully in the P-38 after the update.



ack-ack

[Badboy]

Originally posted by TalonX
What is different to prevent them from using flaps to turn tighter?

None, the previous comments about the P-38 don't apply to the Spitfire, they haven't been affected in quite the same way.

Badboy

[Badboy]

Originally posted by Raptor01
Found that out the hard way, but it is actually good to see that. Now Spits and hurricanes can't use flaps to help them turn tighter.

All aircraft can still use flaps to turn tighter, particularly the Spitfires. Even the the P-38 can use its flaps to turn much tighter than it can without them. It is just that the P-38 can no longer sustain those tight turns on full flaps as well as they could before. With full flaps and wep, the P-38 can only sustain a little more than 1g. However, as Ack-Ack pointed out, the way to fight in the P-38 hasn't changed, you just need to be careful not to over use the flaps.

Badboy

[jaxxo]

i still stink in it and cant fight well against it..i think the two go hand in hand..one of u dweebs gimme a lesson with some tips instead of just punking me in the ma

[Badboy]

Originally posted by jaxxo
i still stink in it and cant fight well against it..i think the two go hand in hand..one of u dweebs gimme a lesson with some tips instead of just punking me in the ma

Hi Jaxxo,

I'd be happy to work with you in the training arena. Drop me a private message to fix up some times.

Badboy

[Hazard69]

Thanx for the responses guys......

I found out about the flap setting the hard way.......against a spit8.

Love the G.....turns like anything but not with full flaps (anymore).
Try diving in the G, damn thing just doesnt compress....chased down a couple of LAs n Yaks in it.
Lack of Wep does affect it a bit though, have to consciously force myself to turn a bit more and go a bit less vertical.

Between J and L though, I find myself that the L does handle better at higher speeds, but feel that J has a slightly better roll rate at lower speeds (may be wrong on that). J does compress like the L and without dive flaps have hit the dirt a couple of times.....

None the less I like the colouring of the J,  looks cool:aok .

So ultimately, I am right in assuming that the weight discrepancy between J and L is just a typo and not modelled in the game?

[Guppy35]

Originally posted by Widewing
If you guys haven't done any stall fighting in P-38s since the last patch, be advised that using full flaps is no longer advisable. In fact, I'd suggest that you not use full flaps for anything other than landing. Especially in the G model. You will find it nearly impossible to keep the nose above the horizon and not stall.

My regards,

Widewing

HAH!  I thought I was losing it.  Found that out the hard way when I did the old short field take off with a couple notches of flaps and full fuel and DTs.  Had to drop the DTs and keep the nose down just to get flying speed while easing up the flaps.

Still love that old G though

[eilif]

Last time i flew i chose the J of the p38 series, I dont particularily like the feel of the L, the boosted ailerons kinda ruin it for me, maybe i just got burned out from flying it too long.

[Guppy35]

Originally posted by killnu
Widewing, ive turned very well in 38G with full flaps and have not had an issue.  not sure what the deal is that everyone else seems to be having.  I actually like them more now.  stall fighting, full flaps, all seems better to me.  maybe it has something to do with the fact im prolly the only 38 driver that uses Combat trim all the time?  dont know.

50 fuel and full flaps it still turns in the furballs down on the deck.  I didn't notice any difference there.  It was with full fuel etc that it seemed to feel like mush.

I actually survived a few flights in FT in my G which I never do.

[Ack-Ack]

Originally posted by Hazard69


Between J and L though, I find myself that the L does handle better at higher speeds, but feel that J has a slightly better roll rate at lower speeds (may be wrong on that).  

Because of the boosted ailerons on the L, the J is a tad more sluggish on the rolls and at both high and low speeds requires more rudder input to help with the rolls then in the L.


ack-ack

[Ack-Ack]

Originally posted by Guppy35
50 fuel and full flaps it still turns in the furballs down on the deck.  I didn't notice any difference there.  It was with full fuel etc that it seemed to feel like mush.

I actually survived a few flights in FT in my G which I never do.

IMO the changes to the flaps and the addition of the stall buffet is in no way a major problem for the P-38.  The benefit of its gentle stall characteristics and easy stall recovery I think is more pronounced.  



ack-ack