38L VS 38J who, what, why?

[Banshee7]

Maybe Bark0 will chime in and help

    

[Letalis]

The 38J has one of the worst roll rates in the game at 400mph ias, the 38L has one of the best.  Like many here have pointed out, the skins and history of the J outweigh the roll performance of the L for some people.

*Nail on head

Roll rate is a huge advantage esp for those lil corrections while BnZing spitwads.
J has MUCH better skins hands down but the L goes with Letalis so well...

[OOZ662]

didn't the J have one a while back? I use to use that skin but I haven't seen it for sometime now ......

I got my first win in the racing league with that P-38. So sexay.

[Ack-Ack]

*Nail on head

Roll rate is a huge advantage esp for those lil corrections while BnZing spitwads.

Easily compensated for by using more rudder input in your turns.  I'm no crack shot but I've never missed a kill shot because of my roll rate at high speeds.


ack-ack

[Guppy35]

Best thing is to pick one and learn it well.

I came across a note in a wartime history of a 38 group where it mentioned that pilots took a while to get used to the lightness of the controls on the 38L vs the earlier J. They tended to overcorrect and it was harder to fly before it got easier as they were used to muscling the 38J around more .   I think that's accurate for AH too

There are some great sticks in both the J and L, and I do think it's a personal preference on either, along with those few of us who die in the 38G

[Soulyss]

I for one actually have trouble switching between the models, even between the L and J they just feel different and I don't feel I do as well as the L (I usually fly the J because I like the skins more). I have real difficulty switching between the G and J however as I believe the G takes a different approach than the later models.  In my experience if you fly the G like the J or the J like the G your flight ends pretty quickly. 

As CorkyJr said pick one and fly it.

[CAP1]

I for one actually have trouble switching between the models, even between the L and J they just feel different and I don't feel I do as well as the L (I usually fly the J because I like the skins more). I have real difficulty switching between the G and J however as I believe the G takes a different approach than the later models.  In my experience if you fly the G like the J or the J like the G your flight ends pretty quickly. 

As CorkyJr said pick one and fly it.

I TRIED switching from the j to the g last night in mw, and kept stall/spinning the g. i switched, as most of the fights were literally on the deck, and were fun turnfights......i lacked the acceleration of the j, but was hoping to turn better with the waves of seafires and f6f's.
 i ended up back in the j though. one thing i do tend to try, is to pick one of the olive drab j's......mostly hoping to fool the badguys into thinking they're attacking a g, till they're too close to re-asses......

[Soulyss]

I think fuel is also more of a concern in the G than the J.  For most MA sorties in the J I tend to take 75% and no DT's, it leaves you a little heavy to begin with but it's manageable.  The G I like to take 50% but a couple DT's, the difference I feel is the J has a better thurst/weight ratio, the G really shines when light but at least in my hands feels like a bit of a dog with any more than 50% fuel, The G also does better fighting downhill, it doesn't get energy back as well as the J nor is it quite as good in the vert. But a light G will give a lot of rides a run for their money in maneuverability, keep your turns nose low to keep the speed in the sweet spot and it'll really haul around.  The J is more well suited for fighting uphill with the extra power you can really stand it on its tail and get above people who are wallowing below you fighting the torque on their own plane.

[CAP1]

I think fuel is also more of a concern in the G than the J.  For most MA sorties in the J I tend to take 75% and no DT's, it leaves you a little heavy to begin with but it's manageable.  The G I like to take 50% but a couple DT's, the difference I feel is the J has a better thurst/weight ratio, the G really shines when light but at least in my hands feels like a bit of a dog with any more than 50% fuel, The G also does better fighting downhill, it doesn't get energy back as well as the J nor is it quite as good in the vert. But a light G will give a lot of rides a run for their money in maneuverability, keep your turns nose low to keep the speed in the sweet spot and it'll really haul around.  The J is more well suited for fighting uphill with the extra power you can really stand it on its tail and get above people who are wallowing below you fighting the torque on their own plane.

hhmm....maybe that's it too then....i tend to take 50% internal, and 2 draop tanks on either model. i keep the tanks if i'm going for bombers, as they don't hurt me....i also keep em if i'm at an alt advantage, and feel as if i'm maintaining it. once i see a serious fight coming, i get rid of them........maybe 25% internal would do me better in the g.......

[Ack-Ack]

I TRIED switching from the j to the g last night in mw, and kept stall/spinning the g. i switched, as most of the fights were literally on the deck, and were fun turnfights......i lacked the acceleration of the j, but was hoping to turn better with the waves of seafires and f6f's.
 i ended up back in the j though. one thing i do tend to try, is to pick one of the olive drab j's......mostly hoping to fool the badguys into thinking they're attacking a g, till they're too close to re-asses......

You're too ham fisted on the controls, that is why you're entering into accelerated stalls in the G.  Be a tad lighter on the controls and you won't get into an accelerated stall.  Honestly, if you don't get into accelerated stalls in the J, there is no reason why you should get into one in the G unless you're being ham fisted and jerking hard on the controls.

Rudder input is very necessary in the G (as it is with all P-38s) and remember, nose low turns make the G (and the other P-38s) turn nice and tight.  That's why it is important to coordinate your turns in the Lightning.

Acceleration is a problem with the G, especially with the lack of WEP.  I know others will disagree with me but I've always felt that due to the lack of WEP and lower acceleration than the other Lightnings, the G was a good plane to learn how to Energy fight.  The lack of acceleration and WEP really makes you learn how to manage your energy state much more than in the J or the L.  Once you've learned how to manage your energy state, the lack of acceleration and WEP no longer really becomes a hindrance.

Personally, the only olive drab skin for the J that is can be considered beautiful is of course the 479th skin but I've gotten a new skin to love and in my opinion is probably the best looking metal J skin.  Of course (no surprise!) it's yet another 479th skin.  The rest of you guys that fly those non-479th skins might as well put a bag over your faces.


ack-ack

[CAP1]

You're too ham fisted on the controls, that is why you're entering into accelerated stalls in the G.  Be a tad lighter on the controls and you won't get into an accelerated stall.  Honestly, if you don't get into accelerated stalls in the J, there is no reason why you should get into one in the G unless you're being ham fisted and jerking hard on the controls.

Rudder input is very necessary in the G (as it is with all P-38s) and remember, nose low turns make the G (and the other P-38s) turn nice and tight.  That's why it is important to coordinate your turns in the Lightning.

Acceleration is a problem with the G, especially with the lack of WEP.  I know others will disagree with me but I've always felt that due to the lack of WEP and lower acceleration than the other Lightnings, the G was a good plane to learn how to Energy fight.  The lack of acceleration and WEP really makes you learn how to manage your energy state much more than in the J or the L.  Once you've learned how to manage your energy state, the lack of acceleration and WEP no longer really becomes a hindrance.

Personally, the only olive drab skin for the J that is can be considered beautiful is of course the 479th skin but I've gotten a new skin to love and in my opinion is probably the best looking metal J skin.  Of course (no surprise!) it's yet another 479th skin.  The rest of you guys that fly those non-479th skins might as well put a bag over your faces.


ack-ack

i probably should have mentioned that (at least last night) i was getting the j into those stalls too. i know it was the loose nut on the end of the control yoke, i just couldnt figure out what it was i was doing wrong.

i got my but handed to me by a hurting 110g...and he fought clean.....got it handed to me by shuff a couple times......pangea.........and ALL of them, i had the apparent advantage when we merged. pangea kilt my stoopid arse so many times, i think he got bored, and switched sides, and started working with us at a1.....

[WWhiskey]

i'd actually love to see a night fighter skin..........something in black.....

i used to fly the J exclusively, because it had a black skin, allas it does not any more!
but i am no expert in flying any of them, it is more fun tho when you whip up on some spitty's in the G tho

[Ack-Ack]

i probably should have mentioned that (at least last night) i was getting the j into those stalls too. i know it was the loose nut on the end of the control yoke, i just couldnt figure out what it was i was doing wrong.

i got my but handed to me by a hurting 110g...and he fought clean.....got it handed to me by shuff a couple times......pangea.........and ALL of them, i had the apparent advantage when we merged. pangea kilt my stoopid arse so many times, i think he got bored, and switched sides, and started working with us at a1.....

next time I'm in the MW arena and you're on, tag along for a ride or two.


ack-ack

[CAP1]

next time I'm in the MW arena and you're on, tag along for a ride or two.


ack-ack

will do......i'm actually within an hour of leaving the shop, and if i can sit long enough(sciatica flaring up) i was gonna go to either mw or ta, and get some practice..........

thanks dude!

<<S>>

[uptown]

The J has the best skin. BRING BACK BLACK BETSY