P38 Six 500# Mounts

[Randy1]

In another thread, a P38 picture showed a 38 with six 500 pound bombs mounted in the center section between the engines.
http://usaircraft.proboards.com/thread/4404/51s-47s-38s

Scroll down to find the image.

My guess on this one is a field modification.  Note how close the extra bombs are to the wing which I think would disrupt the airflow.  I suspect the original mounts were longer to prevent that.

I zoomed in thinking the extra bombs were actually tied to the center bomb but it at least had something to keep it from banging the wing.

Field mod?

[Bodhi]

I have seen wing center sections that were modified as such on several occasions but have not found the documentation or engineering documents that show Lockheed was aware of it.

As for the length of pylons, I believe it was to ensure clearance of the stores on the flaps as some things like the longer fuel tanks actually extend into the flap movement areas.

[Randy1]

I have seen wing center sections that were modified as such on several occasions but have not found the documentation or engineering documents that show Lockheed was aware of it.

As for the length of pylons, I believe it was to ensure clearance of the stores on the flaps as some things like the longer fuel tanks actually extend into the flap movement areas.

The picture was interesting for sure.  Probably right on the flap clearance.  That makes good sense.  Could be the mod came about  because the 500 pound bombs were easy to come by.

[mbailey]

 


Great find Randy1   


 

[wpeters]

I have  been reading about that. The max bomb load of p-38 L was 4,000 lbs.   Not ofton done due to range in the pacific.  Internal fuel in a 38 was often not enough to get to the target and home safely, thus this was uncommen but by no means not heard of. Was used in ground attack supporting grunts... 

I am talking about the 4 1000lbs or 6 5000lbs.   I believe the 2,000 lb were rare there are pictures of them carring them.

[Ack-Ack]

I believe the 2,000 lb were rare there are pictures of them carring them.

The P-38 was often used to level bomb and in those missions, 2,000 pound bombs were used.  It wasn't just in the PTO, it was also done in the ETO and MTO and I'm sure in the CBI as well.

ack-ack

[GScholz]

I wish field mods like these could be implemented in the game. Perhaps as perk options. Would love to test out one of Galland's home-brew 109Fs for example, cigar lighter and all...

[Saxman]

I wish field mods like these could be implemented in the game. Perhaps as perk options. Would love to test out one of Galland's home-brew 109Fs for example, cigar lighter and all...

I'm still waiting for the centerline rack and 2000lb bomb option for the F4U-1D, C and 4. Which that center rack was NOT a field mod but a carryover from the -1 and 1A.

[Randy1]

Great find Randy1   

The link was originally posted in the Mustang rocket wish thread.  Not sure who the original poster was.

[Puma44]

[Randy1]

I would guess when you dropped the factory mounted 500 pounder, it dropped the other two at the same time.  Still that is 3000 pounds of bombs.  That would be slick in AH.

[Bodhi]

I'm still waiting for the centerline rack and 2000lb bomb option for the F4U-1D, C and 4. Which that center rack was NOT a field mod but a carryover from the -1 and 1A.

The vast majority of -4's do not have structure built into it to support the centerline pylon.  It carried over into the -5 and they ended up adding it again to the -5 production.

The only -4's I have seen with center line structure were those field modified to do so with -1 parts.

[Saxman]

The vast majority of -4's do not have structure built into it to support the centerline pylon.  It carried over into the -5 and they ended up adding it again to the -5 production.

The only -4's I have seen with center line structure were those field modified to do so with -1 parts.

Odd, I thought that carried through. At the very least it was definitely present on the 1D and C.

[J.A.W.]

Re that P-38 defacto medium bomber 6 x 500lb load out,
has anyone got the mission profile parameters for it?

Like range/speed/altitude settings?

Could it dive bomb with them?

If it is just on drip snot, sorry - droop snoot - missions,

& you are crawling with B-25/26s proper mediums- then why bother?

Unless there is something wrong with the P-38 as a JABO?

[Bodhi]

Odd, I thought that carried through. At the very least it was definitely present on the 1D and C.

No, the -4's omitted it.  It's really odd, but I think it had to do with envisioning the aircraft as a pure fighter with ground attack capability.  Reality for them was carrying the fuel it needed to get up and loiter as the Corsair was never known for long legs in that respect.

It was present in the -1D and -1C, but I am not sure if it was universal across production in the case of the former as the drawings show different bottom panels with and without the structure.