P38L Top Speed

[Randy1]

Increase an unpainted P38L's top speed by 8 MPH due to a reduction in skin drag and therefore the drag coefficient

http://www.defensemedianetwork.com/stories/the-u-s-army-air-forces-strips-its-planes-of-paint/

Actually the speed could be slightly higher since the area of the P38 is larger than the implied P51B test plane.

The unpainted weight reduction is a wash since I found suggestions that the frame on the L was beefed up to carry larger bombs than the "J" although I can't confirm that.

[Ack-Ack]

Increase an unpainted P38L's top speed by 8 MPH due to a reduction in skin drag and therefore the drag coefficient

http://www.defensemedianetwork.com/stories/the-u-s-army-air-forces-strips-its-planes-of-paint/

Actually the speed could be slightly higher since the area of the P38 is larger than the implied P51B test plane.

The unpainted weight reduction is a wash since I found suggestions that the frame on the L was beefed up to carry larger bombs than the "J" although I can't confirm that.

There was nothing in that article that said the P-38L's speed was increased by 8mph, nor anything about the P-38L being able to take a heavier ordnance load than the J due to being unpainted.

ack-ack

[ONTOS]

Paint adds weight to anthing painted. The B-24, et al, really adds weight.

[Randy1]

There was nothing in that article that said the P-38L's speed was increased by 8mph, nor anything about the P-38L being able to take a heavier ordnance load than the J due to being unpainted.

ack-ack

Best I can tell is the mustang was the bases for the test to qualify any performance increase of unpainted aircraft in general.  The air Force paints specs were changed.   Skin drag of a painted equates plane to plane if the paint specs are the same albeit the area drag is different.

My note on the weight was just an added bit of info.  The weight difference must have been small between a painted pref lap mod J and an unpainted L.

[Plazus]

Randy1,

If HTC were to simulate the adverse effects of applying paint to an aircraft, then all of the players would be inclined to fly only bare metal skins on airplanes (if available) in AH. Now that wouldn't be fun, would it? Everyone would fly that bare metal paint scheme to get the best performance. There wouldn't be that added diversity of representing different historical fighter groups.

Part of what makes this game stand out is the fact that their players make contributions by skinning aircraft for others in the community to use.

[ReVo]

Randy1,

If HTC were to simulate the adverse effects of applying paint to an aircraft, then all of the players would be inclined to fly only bare metal skins on airplanes (if available) in AH. Now that wouldn't be fun, would it? Everyone would fly that bare metal paint scheme to get the best performance. There wouldn't be that added diversity of representing different historical fighter groups.

Part of what makes this game stand out is the fact that their players make contributions by skinning aircraft for others in the community to use.

^What he said, which is what I said in the other thread about this. -100

[earl1937]

Increase an unpainted P38L's top speed by 8 MPH due to a reduction in skin drag and therefore the drag coefficient

http://www.defensemedianetwork.com/stories/the-u-s-army-air-forces-strips-its-planes-of-paint/

Actually the speed could be slightly higher since the area of the P38 is larger than the implied P51B test plane.

The unpainted weight reduction is a wash since I found suggestions that the frame on the L was beefed up to carry larger bombs than the "J" although I can't confirm that.

Just for giggles, google weight of paint on a Boeing 747, it'll knock your socks off! I know paint adds a lot of weight, but jezz!

[icepac]

Anybody notice that most all of the reno racers are fully painted?

[Randy1]

The mil thickness and weight per gallon are way less than WW2.  I think it is like 5 pounds vs 30 pounds.

An Air Force test showed a painted, sanded and waxed B17 flies faster than a plain, unpainted, unpolished plane.

[nrshida]

If you need another 8 m.p.h. to fly the P-38L well aren't you, err, sort of, doing it wrong? 

[Randy1]

If you need another 8 m.p.h. to fly the P-38L well aren't you, err, sort of, doing it wrong? 

Just asking for what should be.  Nothing more.  Nothing less.

[nrshida]

Just asking for what should be.  Nothing more.  Nothing less.

I don't believe you've established it should be 8 m.p.h. faster.

[ReVo]

I don't believe you've established it should be 8 m.p.h. faster.

Shh, Shida. If we can convince HTC that he's right we can claim the Ki-84 and Ki-61 bare metal skins deserve a decent speed bump too. 

[Ack-Ack]

Shh, Shida. If we can convince HTC that he's right we can claim the Ki-84 and Ki-61 bare metal skins deserve a decent speed bump too. 

Then that means the bare metal P-38J I fly should also get a speed bump.   

ack-ack

[ReVo]

Then that means the bare metal P-38J I fly should also get a speed bump.   

ack-ack

No, you're plenty fast enough already.