P38 vs. P51

[Ack-Ack]

Originally posted by Fianna
Sooner rather than later, if you keep doing that, the P38 will have an E state close enough to the pony to become the attacker in the fight. If you don't kill the 38 in the first few passes, your only choice to live is to run. Assuming pilots have comparable skill levels.

Yep and it really gets those BnZ guys really mad when they realize that they just wasted their advantages and forced into the defensive.


ack-ack

[ForrestS]

I think you should of turned down to the left or right when he got close. It would of made him lose E if he would of turned to try to shoot you down.


O ya, there both excellent planes by the way. I fly them all the time.

[SteveBailey]

Originally posted by detch01
The pony will out roll the 38, out climb it, out scissor it
asw

[evenhaim]

Originally posted by detch01
You haven't spent enough time in the pony if you believe that. The pony will out roll the 38, out climb it, out scissor it and provided you are above 275mph will out turn it and out zoom it. And yes the pony will out run the 38's. If you want to stay stuck in the popular prejudice against the pony, that's fine by me.


asw

double:huh

[Benny Moore]

Right, as implied, that's total crap.  The P-38 will out-climb the P-51 by a large margin, out-rolls it at nearly all speeds, and out-scissors it because of the comperable or superior roll and vastly superior turn.  The P-38 also out-accelerates the P-51, I believe, although the P-51 can get away in the long run if he doesn't get shot down in the short run.

[evenhaim]

hye benny you still around im hungry for bombers

[Widewing]

Originally posted by detch01
You haven't spent enough time in the pony if you believe that. The pony will out roll the 38, out climb it, out scissor it and provided you are above 275mph will out turn it and out zoom it. And yes the pony will out run the 38's. If you want to stay stuck in the popular prejudice against the pony, that's fine by me.


asw

Well, I'm going to disagree. I have tested all fighters for speed and climb, and the P-51s don't match up to the P-38J/L in a climb. From sea level through 30k, the P-38s climb faster than the P-51D.

The same goes for acceleration...

As to roll rate, it depends very much on which P-38 we look at. Nothing rolls faster than a P-38L above 300 mph, nothing.

The scissors is a defensive maneuver easily countered by the trailing fighter simply going vertical after the defender begins scissoring. The P-38 goes up, dumps flaps rolls inverted and 10 seconds later the Mustang goes pop.

Above corner speed, turn radius is limited by G loading.

I enjoy the P-51, but I would never try to out-climb a P-38 with any expectation of surviving.

You can be very successful with the P-51D, just as long as you avoid Co-E fights with more maneuverable, better climbing fighters (including the P-38s).

My regards,

Widewing

[LEADPIG]

As Widewing has spoken, it has been said, now it is done, go forth enlightened....

[ScorpCH]

ALL HAIL WIDEWING!

WE'RE NOT WORTHY! *bow graciously at his feet*

[SteveBailey]

Originally posted by ForrestS
O ya, there both excellent planes by the way. I fly them all the time.

Respectfully, I earnestly disagree.  The 51, in it's current model, isn't a very good plane, compared to other LW rides.  What does it do well?  Very few things really.  High speed handling is excellent and views are as well.  Other than that there are planes that clearly outclass it.

It's speed is pretty good yes, but this is somewhat hampered by its uninspiring acceleration. There are several planes that are not only faster but more agile. Additionally,  the tiffie and -a are nearly as fast and are better all around aircraft.(speaking of deck speeds here as most LW fights occur at or near the ground).

Acceleration, as alluded to, just plain sucks.

Roll rate is mediocre at most combat speeds.

Climb rate is average at best.

Lethality is quite average.

Ammo load out for the .50's is below average compared to other .50 rides.

Durability, again... unremarkable.

Turn rate is well below average, towards the bottom for all fighters.

Sure it has long legs, but this rarely comes into play in the small maps we are using.

In summary, the 51 is decidely outclassed by its contemporaries in the LW, as it stands today.

[ForrestS]

I usally BnZ with the P-51 (ask Dweebfire) or do ground attacks.
 

I usally dogfight with the P-38 or do ground attacks.

I think there excellent.