P-38 Pilots

[Damionte]

I have to agree with many of these previous sentiments. I feel the P38 is the best "Generalist" plane in the game.

It's main strength is tha it doesn't have any overbearing weaknesses. It's main weakness though is that it doesn't have any overbearing strengths.

It's neither the best , or worst at anything. Like they keep chanting with this plane. Out run what you can't out turn, out turn what you can't out run. If a plane can out turn you chances are you can out loop it, if a plane can out loop you chances are you can out turn or out run it.

The plane has the range for long distance escort missions. it carries a large payload for jabo. It has enough speed and climb ability for fighter sweeps. There's realyl nothing you can't do in a 38.

There may be specific jobs that a particular plane can do better. For instance the P51 is faster and can climb higher. It's a better plane for high alt eascort missions. Since it has less trouble keeping up with the bombers even after breaking off to engage fighters.

It's paper thing though and though it can handle a decent payload it can't shrug off enough hits to be a great Jabo fighter. Plus it is far less maneuverable than the 38 so if you do catch it down in the weeds it has less options.

The P47 is a good high alt high speed performer. But it's range is unbrearably low. By the time you climb to altitude it's time to turn around for home because you're bingo fuel.

It has a great guns package and can carry a larger load out than the P38. It is less maneuverable though, especially before it's dropped. Until it's dropped ord it's a bus with wings. To be honest even after I've dropped ord I still feel like I'm flying a Bus when I'm in the P47. Nothing short of a bomber though has the knock out punch of the P47 when it comes to giving folks on the ground a head ache.

Both are better than the P38 in thier particular domain. But neither can really handle the others job. The 38 can fill both roles and do it well. Can it do it just as well as the others. No not really. but it can comepete. Compete well enough that some folks could argue that it's a better choice.

One job I would take the 38 for though specifically over either of the other two is as an Interceptor. Particularly at Medium to long range. it climbs better at slow speeds. So you can get her off the deck faster in time to meet bombers. It's also easier to attack bombers in the 38. The two engines means you have more chances to bring her home.

[Rich46yo]

Not to hijack the thread but in real life I always thought the P-47 had very good combat range.

                               As good as the P-38 actually. If I remember my history right the P-38 sticks in the Pacific figured out a way , in the field, to manage the fuel flow, and RPMs, that extended the 38s range tremendously. This "fix" wasnt exactly somthing they taught in the classrooms and it gave the Lightening pilots the extra range to raise all kinds of trouble for the Japs. Does anyone else recall this?

[AquaShrimp]

Yeah, Charles Lindbergh actually came up with the range extending settings.  All the mechanics kept saying "it wont work, you'll ruin the engines".  But it worked.

[Rich46yo]

Originally posted by AquaShrimp
Yeah, Charles Lindbergh actually came up with the range extending settings.  All the mechanics kept saying "it wont work, you'll ruin the engines".  But it worked.

                       Ah yes thank you sir. Now I remember.

                      There is one area where the P-38 really shines and thats in the area of firepower. 4 0.50s and a 20mm Hispano in the nose is pretty fearsome.

[Tac]

one 20mm Hispano is equivalent to two 50 cal MG's damage-wise so id say both the Jug and the 38 are both pretty deadly.

Of course, the 38 with the nose guns has the better deliverance package

 
Boxcut: Picking your fight applies to any aircraft. If I could modify it a bit, i'd say the 38's version of it is:

'Lure them and Reel 'em in!'

Almost every fight i have I see the other plane grossly underestimate the 38's ability to turn the tables on them and die horribly.

Like the zero the other night... He started with 6k alt advantage, dove on me, I turned flat on the horizon and he turned hard with me.. flat turns. The instant I saw his speed bleed out (aka gave up his biggest advantage thinking i would flat-turn with him to the end) I went into a power dive which no Zeke can follow... but he tried. And he died as his controls locked up near 400mph while I barrel rolled (during dive) behind him.

Like the P51 that dove on me earlier today... came at me at id say 500 mph while i was 300mph, I dodge it with a slight turn, he zoom climbs straight up.... and dies to a burst of 50 cal from d800 as my 38 hangs on its props at 80mph. (nose guns+counter-rot props advantage!)

Or like the silly spit nancyboy that thought it to be a good idea to engage me on the deck, under 200mph, on a mostly vertical fight. Fowlers+counter-rotating props + 38's significant 0-200mph acceleration advantage FTW!

I've said it since AH1 and ill say it here in AH2. There are only 2 kinds pilots: Those that fly the P-38 and those that wish they could.

Naysayers are just in jelaous denial.

[CAP1]

Originally posted by Tac
one 20mm Hispano is equivalent to two 50 cal MG's damage-wise so id say both the Jug and the 38 are both pretty deadly.

Of course, the 38 with the nose guns has the better deliverance package

 
Boxcut: Picking your fight applies to any aircraft. If I could modify it a bit, i'd say the 38's version of it is:

'Lure them and Reel 'em in!'

Almost every fight i have I see the other plane grossly underestimate the 38's ability to turn the tables on them and die horribly.

Like the zero the other night... He started with 6k alt advantage, dove on me, I turned flat on the horizon and he turned hard with me.. flat turns. The instant I saw his speed bleed out (aka gave up his biggest advantage thinking i would flat-turn with him to the end) I went into a power dive which no Zeke can follow... but he tried. And he died as his controls locked up near 400mph while I barrel rolled (during dive) behind him.

Like the P51 that dove on me earlier today... came at me at id say 500 mph while i was 300mph, I dodge it with a slight turn, he zoom climbs straight up.... and dies to a burst of 50 cal from d800 as my 38 hangs on its props at 80mph. (nose guns+counter-rot props advantage!)

Or like the silly spit nancyboy that thought it to be a good idea to engage me on the deck, under 200mph, on a mostly vertical fight. Fowlers+counter-rotating props + 38's significant 0-200mph acceleration advantage FTW!

I've said it since AH1 and ill say it here in AH2. There are only 2 kinds pilots: Those that fly the P-38 and those that wish they could.


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Naysayers are just in jelaous denial.

[Guppy35]

Originally posted by Tac


I've said it since AH1 and ill say it here in AH2. There are only 2 kinds pilots: Those that fly the P-38 and those that wish they could.

Naysayers are just in jelaous denial.

Can't help myself.

What he means is there are SAPP's and there are the rest of ya

[CAP1]

Originally posted by Tac
most low speed spins are caused by the fairy feature of the autoretracting flaps. Been so since AH1.

TAC,
i hate to keep repeating, and i'm NOT trying to be a wise arse......BUT..........THE AIRCRAFT WILL NOT SPIN IF IT'S IN COORDINATED FLIGHT.  for the spin to happen, one wing has to stall before the other......THIS is what drags you into a spin,,,,,,the only thing that can happen by retracting the flaps, will be a loss of lift.....but then again, if you've hit the speed for them to pull in, you should be able to maintain the loop/circle/turn,.,,,,,,,although i still really suck in the 38, the only times i've EVER spun in it, i was VERY hard on the rudder, to help her roll over faster, and she stallled the inner wing, as it was slower....but it was also an almost instant recovery too.....

now...that all being said, i also hate the auto retracting flaps. but on this also, as i've said about other planes that people complain about...and i think the traainer gods will agree.......what they did in reality matters absolutley ZILCH to us in the game. simply learn to fly the plane ingaame to it's advantages.....and try to force your enemy into his disadvantages...as they are INGAME, because THAT is what'll win you the fight.  also, i flew air warrior from when it was free on aohell, to i think aw3 on kesmai.......and this is soooooo much better......anyway, i'm not trying to lecture ya.......just learn them as they are in game, and most of all........HAVE FUN DUDE!!!!!!!! win or lose, that's what it's all about:aok

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john
1ltcap

[Ack-Ack]

1LTCAP, Tac has been here since beta days, I think he knows how to fly the P-38 in here quite well.  After all, I taught him all he knows


ack-ack

[CAP1]

Originally posted by Ack-Ack
1LTCAP, Tac has been here since beta days, I think he knows how to fly the P-38 in here quite well.  After all, I taught him all he knows


ack-ack

hey ack ack<>
long time no see............

i know he's been here for a long time, simply by looking at the number of posts he's got up.........
 all i was really trying to get across, was to fly/fight with the planes the way they are, as it's pretty obvious that htc either isn't going to, or can't change this(i think it's the "isn't going to"), and i've no doubt that he could kick my arsee in any ride.......it wasn't a personal attack, simply trying to explain what's needed for a plane to spin, that's all......

now........i wonder who i could get to help me learn to survive fights in the p38..........hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm


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john
1ltcap