Author Topic: P 38 is ruined (Read 9526 times)

Stang · « **Reply #60 on:** April 19, 2006, 05:58:56 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Krusty
If I have to get flaps out I know I'm in trouble anyways (flaps are a no-no in a fight! I mean, yes they're good but it means you screwed up if you need 'em

I guess I screw up just about every fight then.

Krusty · « **Reply #61 on:** April 19, 2006, 06:29:52 PM »

I do more than I care to admit, too

Ack-Ack · « **Reply #62 on:** April 20, 2006, 10:19:04 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by Stang
I guess I screw up just about every fight then.

actually, Krusty doesn't know what he's talking about when it comes to fighting in the P-38.

ack-ack

Krusty · « **Reply #63 on:** April 20, 2006, 11:24:03 AM »

I wouldn't say that. I would say, however, that I've not been a fan of the "US Uber Flappen" from pre-2.07, and didn't game-the-game every chance I flew one

That made me try to learn to fly without needing (absolutely needing) flaps.

Perhaps I'm better off for it. Perhaps not. Who knows.

Raptor · « **Reply #64 on:** April 20, 2006, 12:07:21 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Krusty
I'm not talking 450mph bnz from the stratosphere picks here, I'm talking dogfights, but I mean dogfights where you're paying attention to your speed and flying smart (trying to stay above 160mph) and so forth.

As for a little instability in the 38: I didn't notice any. I was pulling through stalls, through loops, I was pulling pretty tightly. I never once snap-stalled, or spun out, hell I haven't even gotten into the spin-O-death lately. I'm by no means a gentle soul on the stick, either.

He who does not know about the subject at hand should not reply thinking he does. You keep comparing P38 flaps to other US fighters. You can't do that because they are different all together.

Flatbar · « **Reply #65 on:** April 20, 2006, 05:00:04 PM »

I should have read this thread before flying a 38G last night.

Took one up to 28k on an escort flight for my squaddies BAM1 and Hand. I hadn't flown an AH 38 for months.

I was suprised how well it handeled at that alt and when a few Lala's tried to climb up to my flock they were sent back down rather easily, as it should be alt/performance wise.

The problem was with trying to land. Used to be that the 38 would hold E like crazy while on approach. So as I used to do, I started deploying flaps and using cross controls to slow down. Everything was going great untill I hit the last notch. Suddenly my airspeed dropped from 130 or so to about 90 and even with full throttle the nose dropped and I slammed into the ground 100 yds short of the runway.

So, as far as full flaps are concerned, it's horked. I just wish that there was some sort of NOTAM letting others know of the bug.

Krusty · « **Reply #66 on:** April 20, 2006, 05:44:00 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Raptor01
You keep comparing P38 flaps to other US fighters. You can't do that because they are different all together.

I fail to see how. The flaps work the same way as most US aircraft flaps. You might use them a little differently because of the torque-less setup and whatnot, but for the most part they're the same, same code, same effect.

You're saying you can't learn to use flaps in a 38 then use them the same way in a 51? And vice versa?

Far be it from me to question one who makes the 38 his main ride, but as a "casual" flyer of the 38 there's little perceived difference.

Widewing · « **Reply #67 on:** April 20, 2006, 06:02:33 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Flatbar
ISo, as far as full flaps are concerned, it's horked. I just wish that there was some sort of NOTAM letting others know of the bug.

Actually, there have been quite a few threads about the current P-38 drag/flap bug. Just limit your use to 4 notches unless special circumstances briefly require full flaps.

My regards,

Widewing

Krusty · « **Reply #68 on:** April 20, 2006, 06:24:25 PM »

So what would you guys say is the difference between 38 flaps and pony flaps? In general summary, I mean (go into detail if ya like, but I'm more curious about the general feel).

Murdr · « **Reply #69 on:** April 20, 2006, 09:12:03 PM »

Extend flaps in a pony, and you still have the same square footage of wing area that you started with, extend them in a P-38, and you have more wing area than you started with.

Krusty · « **Reply #70 on:** April 21, 2006, 12:37:56 AM »

Perhaps in real life. In AH the effect is you reduce your stall speed, I don't know how complex the game code is, but in AH what is the difference? Practically speaking?

I had it in my mind to learn more of the US rides this tour, but I've had precious little MA time. Don't get much P38 practice in T34s in Stalin's 4th either. I'd like to know what the more experience 38 pilots think about the 38 flaps compared to other USAF flaps.

Ack-Ack · « **Reply #71 on:** April 21, 2006, 10:06:27 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by Krusty

That made me try to learn to fly without needing (absolutely needing) flaps.

Perhaps I'm better off for it. Perhaps not. Who knows.

That is why I say that you don't have any experience in flying or fighting in the P-38. Flaps are necessary to successfully turn fight in a P-38 and not something that is to be used as a last resort in the Lightning, unlike most other planes.

ack-ack

Urchin · « **Reply #72 on:** April 21, 2006, 11:48:17 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by Murdr
Extend flaps in a pony, and you still have the same square footage of wing area that you started with, extend them in a P-38, and you have more wing area than you started with.

Even though the square footage is the same, the flaps still increase lift, right?

Flatbar · « **Reply #73 on:** April 21, 2006, 12:01:13 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Widewing
Actually, there have been quite a few threads about the current P-38 drag/flap bug. Just limit your use to 4 notches unless special circumstances briefly require full flaps.

My regards,

Widewing

A NOTAM posted as a MOTD was what I was refering to. Not all players cruise these boards. I would think that a bug that adversly affects the ability for an a/c to stay in the air should be announced to all players....but there I go thinking again.

Hazard69 · « **Reply #74 on:** April 22, 2006, 12:39:58 AM »

Some US planes(P40) use the split flap, where the lower half of the wing drops down increasing wing camber and thereby increasing lift.

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Most use the conventional flap(51), where the wing trailing edge surface deflects down incrasing wing camber and lift.

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P38 uses fowler flaps, where the flaps dont just move down but OUT and DOWN, increasing both wing camber and wing area.

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The difference is that for every pound of lift generated they produce a lot less drag than the conventional flaps. The split flaps are the worst in this respect btw.
This has allowed me at time to pull off landing like this one........

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