P-38 Compressibility flaps

[fuzeman]

And for best effect of the flap shouldn't one be using manual trim opposed to combat trim and have them extended prior to the dive?

[Ack-Ack]

Well, I stand corrected! I've tried the "dive" flaps, 6 ways to Sunday, and can't tell any difference with or with-out flap application. Guess I will have to go back to TA and do some more test!

You're not using them correctly.  The P-38L dive flaps work in game as they did in real life, the problem is that players deploy them either too early (when speeds don't require the flaps) or deploy them too late in the dive thinking that deploying them will automatically make the P-38 recover. 

It's best to deploy the flaps right before you start your dive or immediately afterwards.  Deploying them in mid-dive reduces the effectiveness of the dive flaps so you want to make sure you deploy them when you begin your dive.  Just a side note...if you find that you need to deploy the dive flaps in a dive, you screwed up.  The P-38 can dive at high speeds without the aid of the dive flaps to recover, you just need to take care and control your speed in the dive, its how the dedicated P-38J drivers dive their Lightnings.  Decrease throttle and use your rudders to help control your speed in a dive.

ack-ack

[Traveler]

Would love to see Hi Tech add the compression flaps to our 38L's...this feature was added on the real ones due to compressibility problems with the aircraft....sure would save some "lawn darting" I see in the arena's

they are already there.  You can see them deploy in F3 mode on the ground.  Come Wing Up with the 113th Lucky Strikes, a dedicated P38 Squad, we use the P38L in the Attack mode very effectively.  We use the P38 L, J and G for fighter support depending on the mission.  We fly as Knights on Saturday evenings 7:00PM Eastern time zone, in the late War arena.   Vox 113.  CO is Gunston, XO  is Traveler.   Check out the films in our wiki page.  The link is in the signature.   Your invited to wing up for an evening, an hour or just one flight, it’s up to you.

[Shuffler]

Why would anyone fly a 38  sheeesh.

[RicOShay]

 I have always used the following when I'm locked up in compressibility in a dive.

 1. Turn off the engine.
 2. Use the trim control to induce a pitch up attitude.
 3. Then and only then slowly pull back on the stick.

    Works most of the time if you have enough altitude.