P38 L or J?

[DaveJ]

Just wondering which model of the 38 most of the experienced sticks fly.

I usually find myself at 12k+ when going into a fight,  so I prefer to use the 38L for it's dive flaps and roll rate. However, I've heard from many people that the J turns better than the L overall, but I've not had that confirmed from anyone yet.

If anyone could give me their opinion on which 38 they think is superior, that would be great.

~DaveyJ

[Lusche]

38J and P38 have basically same turn rate & radius, climb rate & speeds. It much depends on personal preference, even the skins are important enough for some pilots to choose one over the other.

[Delirium]

The J is a little friendlier at low speed handling than the L and the L is alot favorable at higher speeds due to the dive flaps.

The L tends to snaproll just a little easier at low speed than the J, to be blunt.

[Guppy35]

Not a good stick, but an old 38 stick.  I prefer the 38G.

Most of the very good 38 sticks fly the J, with a few L drivers thrown in.  It has more to do with the historical skins then anything else I think.

If I take a later model 38 I tend to take the J.  The L 'feels' heavier to me.

[DoNKeY]

Most people tend to fly the J more then the L, and I myself did that also.  But then I made a change and found myself flying the G instead of the J, and liking it more.  Once you get over the views, I personally think that the G is better for dogfighting then the J.

donkey

[Ack-Ack]

Just wondering which model of the 38 most of the experienced sticks fly.

I usually find myself at 12k+ when going into a fight,  so I prefer to use the 38L for it's dive flaps and roll rate. However, I've heard from many people that the J turns better than the L overall, but I've not had that confirmed from anyone yet.

If anyone could give me their opinion on which 38 they think is superior, that would be great.

~DaveyJ

I've never noticed any difference in turn rate other than at high speeds where the P-38L can use its dive flaps to aid in turning.

It has more to do with the historical skins then anything else I think.

If I take a later model 38 I tend to take the J.  The L 'feels' heavier to me.

Historical skins is the reason I fly the J over the other P-38s, we've got a very nice 479th P-38J skin.  If I ever suffer a severe blow to the head and start flying a P-51D, I've got another nice looking 479th skin to use.

The P-38L feels like its flying on rails very similiar to how the P-38J felt in AW.


ack-ack

[DaveJ]

The P-38L feels like its flying on rails very similiar to how the P-38J felt in AW.


ack-ack

Can you explain that a bit better?

[Ack-Ack]

Can you explain that a bit better?

Fly by wire I guess is the closest description.

ack-ack

[The Fugitive]

Can you explain that a bit better?

To me the "L" goes where you point it, The "J" skids a bit more.  With the L you roll into your turn and push some rudder and it goes where it can, like its stuck on a rail. The J and the G on the other hand you can almost fly sideways. You roll into the same turn, and kick rudder you can point your nose up or down in the turn depending on which rudder your hitting, and slide through the turn. At lower speed this helps you turn better, and also will make for more shot opportunities by giving you the ability to shove the nose around for snap shots

[Guppy35]

An interesting comment I came across reading last night.

"Captain MacKay spent a few minutes in the air, his first flying since his bail out on June 12th.  The ex-MIA found the handling of the J-25 somewhat difficult as compared with the controlling of the lighter J-15 he had last flown."


The P38J-25 had all the upgrades that were standard in the L-1.  The J-15 is what we have for the J model in AH.  I guess it's a compliment to the HTC modeling but that's how it feels for me with the J vs L. 

[DoNKeY]

It's also important to note that if you're in SAPP and send an email to HT, he will enable the 38H for you to select in the hanger, but don't let that get out to the public.

donkey

[Delirium]

Remove that comment immediately before the masses become aware of our true power.

Damn it!

[DoNKeY]

Ohs noes I've been owned by the modify time limit!!!111


Nothing to see here, move along.

 

[FentFV]

With the smaller ammo package, the L starts with 150 x 20mm rounds, while the J starts with 80.  With my (poor) aim, the extra 70 helps.  I haven't been playing all that long, so I don't "feel" a difference between the J and the L (although I'm sure there is one).

Here is a numeric comparison between the 3 models:

http://gonzoville.com/ahcharts/index.php?p1=p38g&p2=p38j&p3=p38l

[DaveJ]

With the smaller ammo package, the L starts with 150 x 20mm rounds, while the J starts with 80.  With my (poor) aim, the extra 70 helps.  I haven't been playing all that long, so I don't "feel" a difference between the J and the L (although I'm sure there is one).

Here is a numeric comparison between the 3 models:

http://gonzoville.com/ahcharts/index.php?p1=p38g&p2=p38j&p3=p38l

Fent, both the L and the J have 150 rounds of 20mm cannon. Dunno what you've been looking at....