P-38 Pilots

[loonetik]

I want to learn the P-38. Can any P-38 pilots give me any pointers on Air to Air? Which model, Loadouts, Convergence, Manuevers, Tips, Tricks, Anything.

Lunatik
Pigs On The Wing
http://www.pigsonthewing.org

[Raptor]

Depends on what you're looking for in a fighter as to which varient to fly. G is the early war version with less power but better turn rate.
I personally like the power of the J/L. I prefer the L of the 3.

Make sure that you have the stall limiter disabled, this improves your flying abilities in all planes, but I felt it hindered the P38 the most.
Some say the P38 is only good at BnZ but they do not know how to fly it to its full potential.
First your SA will go into overhaul, P38 screams "easy kill" because it is big and most associate it with porking. I like this because most people don't expect a P38 to turn with their spits and N1Ks.
Convergence isn't an issue with the P38 because all of the guns are in the nose and gives it a big punch.
Vertical manouvers are your friend (no I don't mean BnZ). two counterrotating allison engines cancels out torque so the P38 has wonderful low speed handling.
The flaps were designed to be used in dogfights, use them.


Most important rule
Have fun

[Rino]

If you're going to be a bomber pilot, be sure and order your 50 mission
crush hat now

[clerick]

First your SA will go into overhaul, P38 screams "easy kill" because it is big and most associate it with porking. I like this because most people don't expect a P38 to turn with their spits and N1Ks.

[/b]

Agree 100%.  I fly the 38 almost exclusively, I'm not a great pilot, but i like to think i give most of the pilots i run up against a bit of a surprise when they realize i'm not an easy kill (usually).

Convergence isn't an issue with the P38 because all of the guns are in the nose and gives it a big punch.

[/b]

I have to disagree here.  It's true that the guns don't need horizontal convergence, but you do want to take drop into account.  I have experimented with different ranges and found that setting it out too far would cause the rounds to "lob" and sometimes go over my target, too close and they would go under.  Set them to where you shoot most, as with any plane, and you will have greater success hitting your target.  I have taken a note from Murdr and set my cannon out about 200 yards farther then my 50's, seems to really make the plane reach out and touch someone.  450/650 is what i am using, or somewhere in that area.

Vertical maneuvers are your friend (no I don't mean BnZ). two counterrotating allison engines cancels out torque so the P38 has wonderful low speed handling.

[/b]

This is true, but you still need to know the E-state of your opponent.  There are still a number of planes that will climb with you, if not climb over you, when you start with equal E, no to mention if they have more then you.  As always know your enemy!  You will quickly learn which planes you need to give extra respect to.

The flaps were designed to be used in dogfights, use them.

[/b]

Like salt the 38's flaps can be a HUGE help in a fight when used as little as necessary, but used too generously it will blow all of your E and you are a floundering whale of a target.

Most important rule; Have fun

You're a 38 pilot, this rule goes without saying.  There are a lot of great 38 sticks in this game, get to know them *cough* s.a.p.p. *cough*.

[leitwolf]

Another tip:
The torque-free twin engine layout also enables you to get rid of combat trim easier than in most planes because you only have to adjust elevator trim.
I found that disabling CT gives me a more predictable plane in low speed turns or loops/hammerheads.
As a reference point, try to line up the elev trim with the bottom line of the "L" on the trim indicator. It takes a while to learn and getting comfortable with readjusting trim constantly but it's great fun and you get no interference from CT in high-aoa/low speed maneuvers.

[SteveBailey]

Originally posted by loonetik
I want to learn the P-38. Can any P-38 pilots give me any pointers on Air to Air? Which model, Loadouts, Convergence, Manuevers, Tips, Tricks, Anything.

Lunatik
Pigs On The Wing
http://www.pigsonthewing.org

There are some very good dedicated 38 pilots here. Were I to name some, I'd no doubt be doing someone else an injustice by not naming them
You're in luck wanting to learn the 38.  If you go looking for the help, you are going to find it.

[Spikes]

The G For The Win!

Guppy can teach you how to torch them.

[AquaShrimp]

The P-38 still has the P-factor to contend with.  Stall it in a dogfight, and you will see what I mean.  It will still depart flight and spin.  This is due to a number of factors, asymetric airflow, etc.

The P-38 does better at low to medium altitudes because of its low critical mach.  Above 450mph it will buffet and lock up.  The best way to fight in it would be to cruise at 10k, search for enemy aircraft below you.  Dive, fire, and climb back to altitude.

[Captain Virgil Hilts]

^^^^^^ Spoken like a true non P-38 pilot.

[Widewing]

Originally posted by AquaShrimp
The P-38 still has the P-factor to contend with.  Stall it in a dogfight, and you will see what I mean.  It will still depart flight and spin.  This is due to a number of factors, asymetric airflow, etc.

The P-38 does better at low to medium altitudes because of its low critical mach.  Above 450mph it will buffet and lock up.  The best way to fight in it would be to cruise at 10k, search for enemy aircraft below you.  Dive, fire, and climb back to altitude.

There isn't a more stable fighter at low speeds than the P-38s. One of the best pure E fighters in the plane set. Boom and Zoom is not its best use.

Avoiding compression issues isn't difficult, just keep the airframe loaded and scrub off excess speed with rudder while retarding the throttle.

If you can manage to get the P-38 into a spin, it isn't the aircraft, but a ham-fisted pilot. Odds are you have stall-spin problems regardless of what you fly.

I fly the P-38s quite a bit. I feel that I know what its capable of and where its limitations are. Pilot skill is the single greatest factor in any aircraft. A top tier pilot who knows the P-38 will be damn near unbeatable 1v1 against virtually any fighter flown by anyone less than the very best pilots.

I flew a duel with a very good pilot flying a 109G-14. Despite his expectations and fighting in the vertical, the P-38J was able to dominate his 109. This was largely due to the P-38's unequaled low speed control with its nose above the horizon and its tremendous zoom capability

To be successful with the P-38s, you must learn to avoid turn fights with better turning aircraft. You must learn to use your energy to gain and maintain the tactical advantage. You must learn how to use the rudder to maximize capability. You must learn to avoid its weaknesses and fight to its strengths. You must learn to be smooth on the controls. Slow is smooth and smooth is fast.

Among the many fighters available, I rate the P-38J/L in the group of the top 10 most dangerous non-perked fighters.

My regards,

Widewing

[loonetik]

Originally posted by Widewing
 You must learn to avoid its weaknesses and fight to its strengths. You must learn to be smooth on the controls. Slow is smooth and smooth is fast.

what are its weaknesses?

[loonetik]

Which model do you guys fly for Air vs Air and why?

[Ack-Ack]

Originally posted by AquaShrimp
The P-38 still has the P-factor to contend with.  Stall it in a dogfight, and you will see what I mean.  

Hmmm....I've flown the P-38 exclusively in AH for 7 years and I have never experienced what you claim.  


ack-ack

[Spikes]

Originally posted by loonetik
Which model do you guys fly for Air vs Air and why?

Well it depends what you want to do in the air...

G = turnfighter
L = BnZ more or less...
J = well, I don't fly the J

[Widewing]

Originally posted by loonetik
what are its weaknesses?

Less than good visibility to the sides, blind spots to the rear. Compressibility due to a low critical mach. Relatively large turning circle. Average acceleration. Large target.

My regards,

Widewing