Originally posted by Brooke
I fly the P-38 a lot, and I still occasionally hit compressibility and smash into the ground.
The issue isn't so much the compressibility itself (as most planes can hit compressibility), but that in a steep dive the P-38 gives a short amount of warning, then it is locked up solid (even after chopping throttle, full up elevator, full aileron, and full rudder at the same time).
Other planes, like the P-47, for example, give lots of warning and remain maneuverable (although very sluggishly) seemingly deep into the compressibility buffet compared to the P-38, and can recover much more easily with chopped throttle and max force on the controls.
I have had similar problems with the Ki-84 shedding parts if flown too fast, and so on.
It just takes attention to a detail that I sometimes seem not to notice (namely, taking action immediately once you notice that buffet if you are in a moderate to steep dive).
You're right, usually the only warning you get is the severe buffet when you're already in a compressability state. Awhile back, I found a site that calculated the mach threshold at various altitudes so I was able to get rough speed figures as to when a P-38 will approach compressability at a certain altitude. I use those speed figures to help me gauge how fast I can go in a dive at the altitude I'm at.
ack-ack
