Couple of Early P-38 FM Observations

[Gator]

> were 4' 10" long. From the picture that I have, I am guessing the flaps were about 3 to 5" wide.

Mino, FWIW I noticed in Johnsen's Warbird Tech for the P-38 that you earlier mentioned you had that on p. 35 it's stated that "The dive recovery flaps were 58 inches in span, and when actuated protruded a maximum of five and a half inches beneath the bottom surface of the wing."  He lists a draft of Lockheed Lightning Design Analysis, July 1944, as the source for these dimensions.

[funked]

Thanks Gator!  2 x 58 x 5.5 = 638 sq. in. which is pretty bloody small compared to the normal frontal area.  Not much drag probably.