Turning in a P-38L

[C h e c k S i x]

I'm guessing this will hold true for most multi-engine aircraft,
but I am mainly curious about the 38 since
its one of my favorite rides. Do you veteran 38 drivers ever
bring one of the engines to idle while the other is full power to turn better?
C h e c k S i x

[Spikes]

Throttle work is key with it if you want to turn. I'm not one to speak really... I fly it a lot but I'm nowhere near good in it. Some people have dual throttle so they cut one throttle to turn better. Sometimes I chop throttle to 50% or so if I think it will help.

[C h e c k S i x]

Yeah I have two throttles and I was experimenting in
 bringing one to idle but have yet to do it in a combat
 situation. Thanks for the input SpikesX  <S>
C h e c k S i x

[Spikes]

Yeah I have two throttles and I was experimenting in
 bringing one to idle but have yet to do it in a combat
 situation. Thanks for the input SpikesX  <S>
C h e c k S i x

No problem. Someone will be along soon to elaborate on it more...but I think if you cut the inner one in the direction you're turning, your turning circle closes a little. So for instance, you get in a turn fight turning hard right, chop your right engine and your turning circle closes.

[Ack-Ack]

Throttle work is key with it if you want to turn. I'm not one to speak really... I fly it a lot but I'm nowhere near good in it. Some people have dual throttle so they cut one throttle to turn better. Sometimes I chop throttle to 50% or so if I think it will help.

Throttle work is not the key to turning the P-38, the flaps and rudders are the key to turning the P-38.  You can jockey the throttle all you want but it's not going to be the key to turning the P-38 as tight as some of the experienced Lightning drivers do.

As for dual throttles, in some cases they do have their uses but by and large it's basically just an immersion factor.  Going against someone using a dual throttle while you use a single throttle is not going to automatically put you at a disadvantage.  I used to use a dual throttle and after a few months went back to my Pro Throttle.  The only reason why I'm thinking of going back to using a dual throttle is for immersion reasons only and not because it will give me some self-perceived edge (which it won't).  Anyway, as all things with life, YMMV.


ack-ack

[Allen Rune]

I'm not really one to speak either, but the way I see it the only way cutting power to the inner engine would help turning would be if you're not in a completely flat turn, such as when you're at very low speeds and trying to turn and stay airborn at the same time. However even then it would seem to make your horizontal angle sort of pointless if all you do is yaw more towards the ground.

I've flown the 38 to the max and back, but I have little experience when it comes to experimenting with the engines like that as I'm usualy in a position where I don't have time to switch between them.

Throttle work is not the key to turning the P-38, the flaps and rudders are the key to turning the P-38.  You can jockey the throttle all you want but it's not going to be the key to turning the P-38 as tight as some of the experienced Lightning drivers do.

As for dual throttles, in some cases they do have their uses but by and large it's basically just an immersion factor.  Going against someone using a dual throttle while you use a single throttle is not going to automatically put you at a disadvantage.  I used to use a dual throttle and after a few months went back to my Pro Throttle.  The only reason why I'm thinking of going back to using a dual throttle is for immersion reasons only and not because it will give me some self-perceived edge (which it won't).  Anyway, as all things with life, YMMV.


ack-ack

There ya go

[B4Buster]

I have a Saitek Av8r-01 fight stick (dual throttles) I never jockey the throttle in any flat turns. I use it for: Helping me make snapshots, (along with rudder), at the top of hammer heads, to roll my plane over faster (ex: on a merge), and in a rolling scissor. It would just hinder your perfomance in a flat turn (IMO) to cut power in one. as Akak said, flaps are key, when I fight, I get the guy as low and slow as I can, that's the 38's "playground" (quoted from Hajo).

[Banshee7]

I never used dual throttle.  As AKAK stated earlier it's all about flaps and rudder. Two rudders > one rudder for sure! 

[B4Buster]

I never used dual throttle.  As AKAK stated earlier it's all about flaps and rudder. Two rudders > one rudder for sure! 

Does help with your rolling scissors though, just takes a little getting used to

[ColKLink]

I want pawz's input here........

[Pawz]

I want pawz's input here........

[ColKLink]

nevermind, you lost any respect, how ever little I had.

[bongaroo]

lol.

nevermind, you lost any respect, how ever little I had.

double lol.

[Murdr]

Throttle work is not the key to turning the P-38, the flaps and rudders are the key to turning the P-38.  You can jockey the throttle all you want but it's not going to be the key to turning the P-38 as tight as some of the experienced Lightning drivers do.

As for dual throttles, in some cases they do have their uses but by and large it's basically just an immersion factor.  Going against someone using a dual throttle while you use a single throttle is not going to automatically put you at a disadvantage.  I used to use a dual throttle and after a few months went back to my Pro Throttle.  The only reason why I'm thinking of going back to using a dual throttle is for immersion reasons only and not because it will give me some self-perceived edge (which it won't).  Anyway, as all things with life, YMMV.


ack-ack

That pretty much sums it up.  Dual throttle is useful for spin avoidance and recovery.  It is novel for inducing an intentional spin to reverse under some stall conditions, but other than that there's not really an advantage to it.

[Spikes]

Throttle work is not the key to turning the P-38, the flaps and rudders are the key to turning the P-38.  You can jockey the throttle all you want but it's not going to be the key to turning the P-38 as tight as some of the experienced Lightning drivers do.

As for dual throttles, in some cases they do have their uses but by and large it's basically just an immersion factor.  Going against someone using a dual throttle while you use a single throttle is not going to automatically put you at a disadvantage.  I used to use a dual throttle and after a few months went back to my Pro Throttle.  The only reason why I'm thinking of going back to using a dual throttle is for immersion reasons only and not because it will give me some self-perceived edge (which it won't).  Anyway, as all things with life, YMMV.


ack-ack

Yeah, kinda figured some that is P38-smart would come and put me in my place.