38L VS 38J who, what, why?

[Wingnutt]

Seems like (to me) that most people who fly the 38 effectifly and regularly seem to prefer the J model, and at times seem even to have distane for folks who drive the L, giving the aire that new 38 drivers, or those who dont really know how to properly use it, are the people who fly the L..


SO!

is there, any REAL difference in performance between the 2, other than the L's dive recovery flaps?

to me the J seems to mush/slide into turns at lowers speeds, where the L seems more ridged..  I have no hard facts to back that up, it just *feels* that way to me.


so, lets hear it..    Ack-Ack, Shuffler.. im looking in your direction...

[Ack-Ack]

Seems like (to me) that most people who fly the 38 effectifly and regularly seem to prefer the J model, and at times seem even to have distane for folks who drive the L, giving the aire that new 38 drivers, or those who dont really know how to properly use it, are the people who fly the L..

I've never seen any dedicated P-38 driver talk down to someone just because the other guy flies the P-38L.  The dedicated P-38 flyers are P-38 enthusiasts and encourage others to fly the P-38, not insult them because they like one particular model.  Anyone you see that claims to be a 'P-38 driver' talk down on someone for flying the L, isn't a P-38 driver.

If I was to see that myself,  I would promptly ask the P-38 "experten" to the DA and then proceed to whip his arse in the L.

SO!

is there, any REAL difference in performance between the 2, other than the L's dive recovery flaps?

to me the J seems to mush/slide into turns at lowers speeds, where the L seems more ridged..  I have no hard facts to back that up, it just *feels* that way to me.


so, lets hear it..    Ack-Ack, Shuffler.. im looking in your direction...

Other than the boosted ailerons and dive flaps, there really isn't that much a performance difference between the J and the L.  The L does have that 'flying on rails' feeling and is more responsive in the roll at high speeds, slow speeds they feel the same.  To be honest, whether to fly the J or the L really comes down to personal preference and the mission being flown.

Let me put it this way, I've never lost a fight in the L against the J because the "J" was better or vice versa.  The small performance difference between the two will not win or lose the fight for you.


ack-ack

[Wingnutt]

Alright, that about covers it then.   

I was figuring a SAPP answer would involve discussing which burns the best while "landing"   

[Guppy35]

For what it's worth, in the 80th Headhunters, I think the majority fly the J.  I fly the G, and at 4-5  very very good sticks fly the L.  It really comes down to your own preference.  All of us have flown each type to some degree.  I just feel more at home in the G.

The L gets the bad name because it's the one folks up with all the ord and go to kill bases with then plow into the ground cause they don't know what to do next.

That doesn't mean the L is a bad bird, just that folks who aren't 38 drivers tend to take the L first for the reasons mentioned.

[MjTalon]

I prefer the L for the LW but I've been flying the J more and more lately, i don't know why! 

The G is my preferred ride right along with Guppy although i don't log any many "crashes" as he does though! 

As stated above by Acky and Guppy, the J & L are quite similar despite the L's boosted ailerons and dive flaps. All boils down to personal preference.

[CAP1]

Seems like (to me) that most people who fly the 38 effectifly and regularly seem to prefer the J model, and at times seem even to have distane for folks who drive the L, giving the aire that new 38 drivers, or those who dont really know how to properly use it, are the people who fly the L..


SO!

is there, any REAL difference in performance between the 2, other than the L's dive recovery flaps?

to me the J seems to mush/slide into turns at lowers speeds, where the L seems more ridged..  I have no hard facts to back that up, it just *feels* that way to me.


so, lets hear it..    Ack-Ack, Shuffler.. im looking in your direction...

i'm no akak, or shuffler, but........


i fly the 38, because to me it's much more of a challenge than most of the other aircraft. she needs more finessing, to fight successfully.

trying to shoot one down.........well, i just love seeing that big beautiful twin boomed monstrosity(and i mean that in a nice way) in the air. i admire and respect those that can fly her with success. it is probably one of the most beautiful and intriguing aircraft of it's time.
 to see these aircraft being used in the arenas, is great......i used to go for them first, as i figured they were easy kills. now, if i see a bunch of enemies, and there's 1 or more 38's in the mix, i go for them first, because i view them as the most dangerous.(except when i'm flying it)

 i've never EVER heard a single 38 driver put another 38 driver down due to which model he chose to fly.(although i fly mw, so i only see the G and the J). most of us in them, are just happy to see others up(except in my case when it's akak, shuffler, or any number of other 38 drivers on my 6).
 most 38 drivers will give you the cleanset, most fun fight you could possibly get in the arenas.

just watch out for shuffler....if he gets desperate, he'll throw his blender atcha.......and guppy'll throw parts of his faithful 38G atcha. 

[Wingnutt]

 i've never EVER heard a single 38 driver put another 38 driver down due to which model he chose to fly.

The L gets the bad name because it's the one folks up with all the ord and go to kill bases with then plow into the ground cause they don't know what to do next.

That doesn't mean the L is a bad bird, just that folks who aren't 38 drivers tend to take the L first for the reasons mentioned.

this is what I was referring to.  The L seems to be seen as stated, a pork and crash ride.

[Dawger]

it is really dependent upon your preferred ACM style. The J has a very slight advantage over the L in acceleration. The L rolls better at high speed and you have the dive flap.

If your fight is more 2D flat turning the J model is a better fit or at least you don't notice the absence of the aileron boost. If you are into a lift vector placement, high speed, rolling fighting style the L is better suited.

I fly the L mostly in the MA because my fight is very 3D and high speed. The J roll rate feels like a bomber flying my style of fight. The dive flap is nice in a couple different situations. It will increase pitch rate in a medium speed fight if you need just a bit extra but it does cost energy and it, of course, helps when you want to exceed the mach limit on the airfoil.

The J is a bit better low and slow because it has a slight advantage in acceleration but it isn't enough that anyone other than a dedicated P38 driver would ever notice.

I fly all three models regularly and almost never fly anything else. The biggest error in the flight model is the deceleration is too slow with throttle at idle. With two props at flat pitch and idle manifold, fat wing and giant airframe it should decelerate dramatically faster than its single engine contemporaries.

[TwinBoom]

i like all 3
they all kill the same for me but i do prefer the g for turning spits

[CAP1]

this is what I was referring to.  The L seems to be seen as stated, a pork and crash ride.

ok, i see your point there.

the thing is, though, that the same guy that might take a 28L to go pork a field, wil be the very same guy that'll take a pony, or a jug, or a hellkitty, loaded to the gills, and do the same thing.

 so, in essence, it's not the aircraft, but rather the pile-it.

[CAP1]

i like all 3
they all kill the same for me but i do prefer the g for turning spits

i STILL can't out turn those little wiggly things in any of the 38's. that could also be due to my lack of online time too.

 when i fly the offl;ine mission, the low alt one that puck made, it's 2 38j's and 2 38g's against a pair of niks(i think) and a pair of spit9's. i try to turn with them, and i can't. in either 38, i do my best keeping myself faster than them, and using more verticle. in the g, i've regretted this sometimes...in the j, i've not.

 if i delibretley bleed off some speed, and try to turn fight em like i would in a hellkitty, or a hurri, i can't do it........yet.

[Widewing]

Within the game, the P-38J and L are identical in terms of weight, horsepower and performance. I prefer the L because of its superior roll and dive recovery flaps. Any perceived superiority of the J model over the L model is strictly in the mind of the pilot.


My regards,

Widewing

[Kazaa]

Both models of P-38 make a tasty snack for my Spitfire.

[Guppy35]

Both models of P-38 make a tasty snack for my Spitfire.

Both models he says!

My 38G likes to eat Spitfires.  But it's a third model

[Raptor]

it is really dependent upon your preferred ACM style. The J has a very slight advantage over the L in acceleration. The L rolls better at high speed and you have the dive flap.

If your fight is more 2D flat turning the J model is a better fit or at least you don't notice the absence of the aileron boost. If you are into a lift vector placement, high speed, rolling fighting style the L is better suited.

I fly the L mostly in the MA because my fight is very 3D and high speed. The J roll rate feels like a bomber flying my style of fight. The dive flap is nice in a couple different situations. It will increase pitch rate in a medium speed fight if you need just a bit extra but it does cost energy and it, of course, helps when you want to exceed the mach limit on the airfoil.

The J is a bit better low and slow because it has a slight advantage in acceleration but it isn't enough that anyone other than a dedicated P38 driver would ever notice.

I fly all three models regularly and almost never fly anything else. The biggest error in the flight model is the deceleration is too slow with throttle at idle. With two props at flat pitch and idle manifold, fat wing and giant airframe it should decelerate dramatically faster than its single engine contemporaries.

This would be one of those examples of an "expertun" giving incorrect information.
J doesn't have any notable advantage in acceleration.