The P-38J is racking up quite a kill ratio in the MA. In fact it is the highest non-perk plane in the MA.(see table below) I did a little digging and discovered that a dozen or so pilots have kill ratios over 8:1 in this plane and fly it almost exlusively which is driving up it's kill ratio. I did this investigation because lately this historically average plane has been untouchable in 1 on 1s, and the deaths have all come via the same tactic on the part of the 38 driver, which is to pull the plane vertical, wait for the opponent to stall out, rudder/throttle over, dive and make the kill. What makes this so strange is the seemingly incredible ability of the 38 to climb vertically, and rudder over, regardless of e-state. On paper this plane has inferior power to weight, climb rate, and acceration numbers compared to most planes in the MA. Perhaps a dual throttle control can allow for rapid yaw compared to centerline powered aircraft that need to rely on rudder only (hence airspeed), but that doesn't explain the 38's seemingly exeptional vertical climb and stall performance. I suspect a cabal of 38 drivers have discovered something about the P-38 flight model that can be exploited in the MA and are utilizing it to rack up these lopsided kill ratios. We non-38 drivers owe it to ourselves to figure out what's up. I would like to analyze this 38 manuever more objectively, and get the word out to all MA pilots the what-to-do's when a 38 pilots goes vertical. With a little collective wisdom maybe we can put these guys back in their historical place.
So I'm asking for anyone that wishes to participate, to film your missions and post any 38-goes-vertical-rudders-over-and-kills-me films you get. Then we can analyze e-state, relative speeds etc etc and see what's up.
I don't mean to over emphasize the idea of some kind of flight model error. The real point of this post is to understand the tactic objectively to develop a counter.
Totally incorrect. Allow me to share this:
"While in the pilots' lounge at Santa Maria Air Base, California, I overheard three P-38 student pilots scorning their airplane. They were saying the P-38 would not operate above 25,000ft, or if it would, their instructor would not take them. I found out their instructor's name and cleared a flight with the students. My briefing was short and to the point: "We're going to take this four-ship formation up and we will continue to climb until one of you say 'uncle'." With that we took off. At 42,800ft indicated on the altimeter, I heard a garbled "uncle" being transmitted by a throat mike. One hundred percent Oxygen under pressure made it difficult to speak at high altitude. The formation was climbing at 500 ft per minute when the flight was terminated. That flight convinced them that the P-38 was a high altitude aircraft."
Lt. Frank Shearin Jr. - 343rd FG, the Aleutians 1943.
I now fly the J exclusively. If I assist in a capture or CV sinking, I'll grab an L. But now, I just want to fight and stay away from the Desktop Generals who "think they know it all", even when their tactics are useless.
The 38 was more than "average" in WWII. I suggest you get Warren Bodie's book "P-38 Lightning" and maybe reading an authoritative book like that, will properly inform you of it's capabilities.
