"No, the P-38 had MORE range than the P-51. PERIOD. First Allied fighters over Berlin? P-38's, on consecutive missions, the 55th FG on one, and the 20th FG on the other, before a P-51 ever graced the skies of Berlin. Weeks before a P-51 went to Berlin."
The Berlin missions were in March of 1944, by which time 4 FGs were using the P-51B.
Secondly, it wasn't a question of what USAAF fighter 1st flew over the capital, and I dont recall stating the P-38 was short ranged.
As far as ranges, there are endless quotes for both types, based on all sorts of different manifold and alt settings, combat range, ferry range, ect ect ect, so im not even touching that. Suffice to say, the P-51 easily outranged the P-47, and was comparable to the P-38, while being a single engined fighter.
Lastly, the choice for the Merlin P-51, as I said, was primarily its range, and the performance of its powerplant. Undoubtably there were other factors that convinced the USAAF to go with it as its primary type for the 8th AF Fighter Command.