This is a film I made sometime after the 2.07 update that introduced the full flaps increased drag bug in the Lightning. I've heard complaints that other than the bug, the flight model of the P-38 has been porked. I disagree with that. Other than the bug with the increased drag at full flaps, the P-38 flies like it did prior to the patch. Some consider the bug with the flaps to be a game breaker for them and I again disagree with that notion. Maybe if you were the type that thinks turn fighting is being at full flaps in a Luftberry with the enemy then I guess it would be a game breaker for that pilot but then it's not a smart way to fly the Lightning.
The bug is a pisser for sure but it's a hinderance best and definitely not a game breaker.
In the film I posted, I'm being chased on the deck by Amalfi in a Spitfire XVI. He's looking for blood since I had spent the last 15-20 minutes or so loitering off the coast near his base fighting him and another guy in a P-51D. The film starts towards the end of the run and at the beginning shows me downing the Spitfire XVI and the P-51D. I had to bug out after those two kills due to lack of fuel with Amalfi hot on my tail probably hoping to get me as I was landing. I waited until he got close enough and then turned to engage. If you can see the dials in the film, you'll see where I engage full flaps only for a second or two in order to get the angle I needed then immediately rectract them afterwards. You can also see where the fight on the deck takes place mostly at medium to low speeds, quite often in the 100mph-150mph area. The Lightning handled fine at all times at that speed zone. But then as all things YMMV.
The only reason I had started the film was to find out later on who these guys were because they'd climb up to 8k or so and then dive to the deck for their field acks whenever I would engage. But it did end up showing a good kill on the Spitfire on the deck.
P-38 vs Spitfire XVI (post 2.07 update) ack-ack