What I've learned about the P38 so far

[TwinBoom]

They're pretty big and easy to hit 

if ud hit mine u would live longer

[SD67]

I'm with Guppy on this on, what are bombs and rockets doing on a 38?

Cos it's a BOMBER! 

[Wingnutt]

the 38 is a tempting bird for me, when I fly it, I generally die.. but I can tell there is something there, I just need to learn to tap into it..

[redman555]

1 thing ive learned bout the 38..... ROCKY is the best P-38 pilot in the game 

-BigBOBCH

[DoNKeY]

The 38, when flown by a competent pilot, can give any plane a run for its money.  It completely dominates in the mid war arenas.

donkey

[Guppy35]

1 thing ive learned bout the 38..... ROCKY is the best P-38 pilot in the game 

-BigBOBCH

You owe ROCKY money or something?

Rocky is a good 38 driver no doubt,but I'd think he'd say he's not the best too

There are some guys out there he do amazing things with it, most of us only hope to do someday.

[Guppy35]

They're pretty big and easy to hit 

LOL Listen to the D9 pilot who only shoots at em when they are low, slow and busy with someone else

[Adonai]

You owe ROCKY money or something?

Rocky is a good 38 driver no doubt,but I'd think he'd say he's not the best too

There are some guys out there he do amazing things with it, most of us only hope to do someday.

ROCKY is amazing in midwar arena yes.... where 12 people gather each night, however late war.... "lol" in my opinion.

[BnZ]

Any disadvantage caused by the P-38's large planform is offset by them being so narrow from dead six, and so incredibly tough besides. Other than pilot kills, I think they are harder to shoot down (in AHII) than Jugs and Corsairs.

Furthermore, while a 38 might not be such a hard kill for a better turner with energy on it, it is difficult to E fight against, because of its lasers and the ability to hang nose up (Reverend Lovejoy voice) forever and ever and eveeeeerrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

[Adonai]

LOL Listen to the D9 pilot who only shoots at em when they are low, slow and busy with someone else

Honestly seen him fly and it was no different then any other 190d9 stick. I went against him twice in last week
and got him on film running from me in a 190a5, however you pay your 15 dollars a month you can fly how you want.
But running from a a5 that climbed to the fight to see you dive away and run, seriously I give no respect.
Either learn some ACM or pay your 15 dollars and fly how barbie would.

[lagger86]

What I have learned about p-38's is that they are great planes when I'm not flying them!!!

[SD67]

They still only take 1 ping from a Flak Yak

[Ack-Ack]

Surprised it took two pages before this thread turned into a chest thumping ego thread.



ack-ack

[SD67]

Ugga ugga ugh!!

[Ack-Ack]

Ive been doing two things with some success in it. #1 is keeping things vertical and #2 is turning a lot in it. Its actually a real good BnZ'er but the compression thing is always a worry. If Im diving and going to fast in it I do the same thing I do in 110s. I slip slide with my rudder pedals to burn off some E. If i start shuddering then the dive is over no matter what. I like to convert my E quickly into Alt cause the 38 seems to shed E fairly quick.

Compressability should never be a worry when flying the P-38, it will cause you to be overly cautious.  Instead, be aware that it can happen like spins.  Practice high speed dives and use the throttle and rudder to control your speed.  You'll soon be able to get the P-38 in dives of 450+ IAS and still retain control and at altitudes below 5,000 ft you can hit the 475+IAS mark.  Once you level out, you can use the throttle to help maintain the speed as long as possible while keeping out of a high speed buffet.  If you start to buffet, decrease throttle until the shakes stop and then slowly increase again and soon you'll be able to firewall the throttles without buffeting.  I've caught many suprised LA-7, P-51D and FW190-D9 drivers this way.

I disagree with your comment about the P-38 shedding energy quickly in the vertical.  The P-38 has excellent energy retention in the vertical which is why it's probably the best vertical fighter in the game.


ack-ack