Great discussion but perhaps it's gotten a bit off track.
I'd like to address a few things about defences of the P-38L's climb-rate/vertical ability that seem to have been mis-stated. The energy vs. Speed argument has been made several times and this argument is only true when diving. If two planes are at the same speed the heavier plane has an advantage diving but a dis-advantage climbing. So the 38 shouldn't climb higher from a given speed bacause it's heavier than a lighter aircraft at the the same speed. So let me be clear. I'm talking about chasing a 38 at same or slower speed, 600-700 on his six o'clock and having him pull vertical and
pull away from a C205 and out of gun range [800+yrds] and hang on his prop until my C205 stalls out and the chaser becomes the chased [and the dead I might add]
Physics suggest that can't happen. I can't figure out how to insert an image, so my appologies for having to describe the chart. But I have plotted the climb rate for C205 vs a P38L. And under 20K ft, the C205 climb rate is consistantly 10% higher. Climb rate is based mostly on power-weight, as is acceleration. So in level flight at the same speed it is not possible for a P-38 to pull vertical and
pull away from a C205.
Departure behavior is a different thing. I understand that the P-38 probably has better and later departure characteristics, and may achieve a higher final alt due to departing later, but he should be dead before either of us depart, because I should close to 400 or so before stall.
The scenarios I discribed were not one offs, Lazer killed me like 12 times but I refer to about 5 of them that were vertical stall reversals. Then it was shuffler (4 times), then it was Hyperion, (3 or 4 times) then it was Airdog [?], and several others. I don't feel I mis-judging the speed
every time. I have to be right some of the time and close the gap and get the kill, but, alas, I'm here writing about it.
So it is possible I am mis-judging the speed but I wanted to get some film to understand this. I think the kill ratio stats of the first post back up my own personal experience of this manuever accounting for much of that stat, but I can't and am not trying to prove that. I'm just trying to see if others are dying this way, and if they've filmed it.
No offense to the 38 drivers, but I wanted to here from your vitims
Unless you 38 drivers want to post films of vertical reversal kills.
So....any films?