P38G E retention?

[Randy1]

I spent quite a bit of time furballing the G at a base defense yesterday.  It wasn't pretty since the base was capped but furballing is a way to test the bounds on a new ride.
I was left with the impression that the G retained its E a little better than the J or L but would not swear to that conclusion.

Anybody run some sort of test on E or have a firm yes or no on the G model?

It was interesting too when I found out that I was more attached to WEP than I thought.  Kind of a crutch. The G model might well be the best P38 trainer.

[Lazerr]

Randy, I notice i need to spend a lot of time nose down in a G to regain E, more so than a J or L.  One thing i can suggest after running into you yesterday is to change your flight path more aggresively when a bad guy is lining you up for a shot.  I usually switch from a horizontal turn vertical turn at that point, trying to show the small side profile of the aircraft.

[Soulyss]

The 38G has been my primary ride for awhile now, before that it was the PJ (38J).  I don't think the G retains E any better than the later model rides, if anything I think the J/L perform better in the vertical than the G.  The G probably is a little more nimble as long as you have alt to trade and can keep the fight going downhill (it's lighter).  The J adds more HP at military settings and gives you the option to engage WEP, of course the weight is higher as well. 

It's been awhile but if memory serves in duels with the experienced J pilot I found that I had to really manage my energy carefully, otherwise sooner or later they would gain the top position.  This also became more and more likely the longer the fight went on.

The PJ also has more internal fuel, 75% fuel in the PJ is more gallons of fuel than 75% in the G.  When I was flying the J I used to take off with 75% and no drop tanks, by the time I got where I was going I was usually just about down to my fighting weight.  The extra HP really helped if I had to fight before I was ready, anything more than 50% internal fuel in the G and I'm really missing my WEP.

For most my flights in the MA with the 38G I will take off with 50% and DT (actually it's usually 2 DT just because I think they look cooler with 2 loaded than one ). 

Don't get my wrong, I love my poor 'ol 38G and I'm going to keep flying it, but the J is a more capable performer IMHO.

[Randy1]

Randy, I notice i need to spend a lot of time nose down in a G to regain E, more so than a J or L.  One thing i can suggest after running into you yesterday is to change your flight path more aggresively when a bad guy is lining you up for a shot.  I usually switch from a horizontal turn vertical turn at that point, trying to show the small side profile of the aircraft.

Lazerr, thanks for the reply.  It seemed like every where I turned it was the wrong way.  I will find me another furball and work on changing directions more often as you noted.  Latrobe had mentioned the same thing.  As far as E retention goes, I might have been taken with the lighter weight of the G model or it might have been just being smoothing out the turns since I did not have wep.

The 38G has been my primary ride for awhile now, before that it was the PJ (38J).  I don't think the G retains E any better than the later model rides, if anything I think the J/L perform better in the vertical than the G.  The G probably is a little more nimble as long as you have alt to trade and can keep the fight going downhill (it's lighter).  The J adds more HP at military settings and gives you the option to engage WEP, of course the weight is higher as well. 

It's been awhile but if memory serves in duels with the experienced J pilot I found that I had to really manage my energy carefully, otherwise sooner or later they would gain the top position.  This also became more and more likely the longer the fight went on.

The PJ also has more internal fuel, 75% fuel in the PJ is more gallons of fuel than 75% in the G.  When I was flying the J I used to take off with 75% and no drop tanks, by the time I got where I was going I was usually just about down to my fighting weight.  The extra HP really helped if I had to fight before I was ready, anything more than 50% internal fuel in the G and I'm really missing my WEP.

For most my flights in the MA with the 38G I will take off with 50% and DT (actually it's usually 2 DT just because I think they look cooler with 2 loaded than one ). 

Don't get my wrong, I love my poor 'ol 38G and I'm going to keep flying it, but the J is a more capable performer IMHO.

Soulyss, thanks for your reply as well.  As a side note, I have in the past put a wish in for P38 75 gallon drop tanks.  Best I can tell, that was the size of the original drop tanks.  One drop tank is just plain wrong.

I guess another thought leading me to believe the G retained E better was the reduced frontal area of the engine nacelles.

Thanks again for both replies.

[JUGgler]

WOW Randy, your 1st 2 replies are from the best 38 drivers,  wtg


Hey Soul, Lazerr



JUGgler

[Lazerr]

Jug whats up, still playing?

[TwinBoom]

G although less power it also has less drag with smaller radiator intakes imo

[Soulyss]

WOW Randy, your 1st 2 replies are from the best 38 drivers,  wtg


Hey Soul, Lazerr



JUGgler

If people keep saying things like that other people may get the wrong impression that I actually know what I'm doing.


How ya been Jug?