best p-38?

[EvlPrsn]

i know the G model is best for turn fighting, but i'm wondering which of the other 2 is better overall?  i currently prefer the J, tho i miss the dive brake on the L...  any SAPP guys have some suggestions?


i do realize the lightning isnt the beast it actually was, but i still luv the plane.

and i have read the write up donkey did a couple weeks ago, probobly gonna re-read it shortly to c if i get anything extra out of it.

[Anaxogoras]

I'm also curious to know why so many 38 drivers prefer the J to the L.  So far as I can tell, they have identical performance at lower/medium speeds, but the J has a worse ordinance package, lacks the dive brake (like the poster mentioned), and rolls worse at high speed.

[Pannono]

im not really a 38 driver
i prefer the J for ground attack due to the rockets being UNDER the fuselage. does not require rocket science to hit anything
perfect for me because i cant aim. they pack a punch also. 3 rockets to the top rear of a sherman and poof fireball!
of course it has 2x 1k bombs, very useful against armor.

[EvlPrsn]

Any input fromt he SAPPers on what the ups and downs of each model is?

[Ack-Ack]

i know the G model is best for turn fighting, but i'm wondering which of the other 2 is better overall?  i currently prefer the J, tho i miss the dive brake on the L...  any SAPP guys have some suggestions?


i do realize the lightning isnt the beast it actually was, but i still luv the plane.

and i have read the write up donkey did a couple weeks ago, probobly gonna re-read it shortly to c if i get anything extra out of it.

Yes, the G is the better turner of the 3 but that doesn't mean the J and the L aren't as good in a turn fight than the G.  Honestly, in the J, I really don't have any troubles keeping with a G in a turn fight.

The L is the best of the lot.  Has better roll rates, not as sluggish at high speeds due to the boosted ailerons, dive flaps and better ordnance package.  Just one thing I want to clear up...the L has dive flaps, not dive brakes.  The dive flaps won't slow you down like dive brakes do. 

Other than the boosted ailerons, crappy bazooka rockets and lack of dive flaps, the J pretty much is the same as the L in terms of performance.

At least for me, the reason why I prefer the J over the other two is because of the historical ride of the 479th FG.  The 479th flew the J model before switching to the P-51D.


ack-ack

[Serenity]

At least for me, the reason why I prefer the J over the other two is because of the historical ride of the 479th FG.  The 479th flew the J model before switching to the P-51D.


ack-ack

I think you might have hit the nail on the head there. Since the later two are so close in specs, I think the skins available for each aircraft are the deciding factor. I know I would LIKE to fly the J, as thats the first lightning I had ever heard of, and actually started studying when I was 5, but I cannot find any skins I like, so I fly an L with yellow lettering.

[SgtPappy]

I've just started flying the P-38's... I'm almost copying Guppy's footsteps. It's a great plane and I fly the J more often than not. It seems somewhat more agile, and I'm told that is true, but mainly, I keep my preferences in 1943 aircraft. Plus the P-38L isn't performing at maximum, factory-rated performance so it's kind of a waste compared to what a P-38L really could do.

When they fix the weights on the P-38J, it will be even more fun to fly it.

[Ack-Ack]

I've just started flying the P-38's... I'm almost copying Guppy's footsteps. It's a great plane and I fly the J more often than not. It seems somewhat more agile, and I'm told that is true, but mainly, I keep my preferences in 1943 aircraft. Plus the P-38L isn't performing at maximum, factory-rated performance so it's kind of a waste compared to what a P-38L really could do.

When they fix the weights on the P-38J, it will be even more fun to fly it.

Honestly, any perceived increase in agility between the J and the L is rather minimul if any at all.  You are not going to be able tell the difference in flight, as someone who knows what they're doing in the P-38 is going to make the L dance just as good as they can make the J and G dance. 

While there are some questions about the engine rating, the P-38L in AH is a fine aircraft, one of the better planes in the game (as are the other two Lightnings).  It's not a "waste" as you put it.


ack-ack

[angelsandair]

I'm also curious to know why so many 38 drivers prefer the J to the L.  So far as I can tell, they have identical performance at lower/medium speeds, but the J has a worse ordinance package, lacks the dive brake (like the poster mentioned), and rolls worse at high speed.

I think people fly the P-38 J because it's not all silver like the L. Thats all. Not as easy of a target.

[LancerVT]

P-38 G or J in OD is the hotness

[Tails]

P-38 G or J in OD is the hotness

P-38J in black is 'teh sexxors' (to use parlance of the squeeker).

[SgtPappy]

Honestly, any perceived increase in agility between the J and the L is rather minimul if any at all.  You are not going to be able tell the difference in flight, as someone who knows what they're doing in the P-38 is going to make the L dance just as good as they can make the J and G dance. 

While there are some questions about the engine rating, the P-38L in AH is a fine aircraft, one of the better planes in the game (as are the other two Lightnings).  It's not a "waste" as you put it.


ack-ack

It is very similar to the J, I won't lie, but what i mean by 'waste' is not garbage or crap. More like it's just not reflective of what a P-38 could achieve by 1944 as the factory ratings are not modeled.

[Guppy35]

I don't know why, and I guess it's just me, but the when I do get out of the 38G, the J just works better then the L.  The L seems to feel heavier to me.  Again I don't know why.

I prefer the G because of the history and the looks with the small intakes.  Just seems the prettier bird.  The best of the 38 drivers got their starts and did most of their killing in the earlier models.  And The issue was still in doubt as they were fighting against better pilots too.

Took my AH name off an early model 80th HH 38 too so that makes a difference

[Saxman]

I've just started flying the P-38's... I'm almost copying Guppy's footsteps.

Have you started shedding unnecessary parts during your landings too?

To me, the best 38 is the one sitting in my sights as my Hog's six Brownings start ripping into it.