P-38 speed reduction for tight turn?

[Randy1]

What is the best way to transition from high speed when under fire from a 400 and in attacker to a slower speed for better turns. 

What I have tried to perfect is a hard, climbing, spiral turn to bleed of speed trying to take advantage of the P-38 stability.  I have poor success with that maneuver.

[Triton28]

Stand on the rudder,  slight nose up,  get skinny,  and pray.    If you're in between going too fast to turn but not fast enough to dive away when the con is 400 off you've already made a few mistakes.

[Randy1]

. . .   If you're in between going too fast to turn but not fast enough to dive away when the con is 400 off you've already made a few mistakes.

Can't argue with that.

Thanks Triton for the pointer on turning with the rudder and slight nose up.

[glzsqd]

Cutting the power and redding yourself out is a good way to bleed E in a situation like that, it can also throw off your opponents aim if he isn't paying attention

[Delirium]

Triton nailed it, although I would add cross controlling and differential throttle control would force the overshoot as well.

[Drano]

What is the best way to transition from high speed when under fire from a 400 and in attacker to a slower speed for better turns. 

What I have tried to perfect is a hard, climbing, spiral turn to bleed of speed trying to take advantage of the P-38 stability.  I have poor success with that maneuver.

You'd think with TWO rudders you'd be better able to get the thing slower by standing on it but it's just such a clean and heavy plane otherwise it's hard to go from fast to slow in the 38. It's just something I've found it doesn't do as well as a lot of other planes.

Triton and Del are spot on. it's your best chance.

[hgtonyvi]

Well I usually fly the f4u but I have some experience in the 38. Try to cut throttle all the way then rudder nose down really hard. Then rudder back the other way nose up and try to get ur flaps in as fast as possible. Also as triton said try to stay skinny lol. Don't pull where you will be a fat target. Also be very aggressive and make quick angle movements.

[Randy1]

Thanks guys for all for the replies.  I will keep working on it with y'all's advice.

[Delirium]

If you'd like to 1 on 1 time with me, I should be available Friday or Saturday night.

[hgtonyvi]

Hey del. how are you? I'm busy lately, see ya when I return.

[JVboob]

If its the L kick out the little dive recovery flaps they wont slow you like a stuka or SBD but they will help bleed the E a little better once your at 250 kick out your flaps nose down a bit and throw in some rudder. Its made a ton of Late War birdys over shoot and once theyre infront they arent safe untill 1.5D+. if its an EW or a hog your SOL in my experience.

[Drano]

That flap is completely ineffective at low speed. Won't help with the OP's problem at all.

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[Soulyss]

Just to reinforce what some of the other folks said, zero throttle, stand on one of the rudder pedals, and cross control.  Cross controlling will help bleed the speed while at the same time keep the 38 "skinny" and a smaller target. 

[Randy1]

That flap is completely ineffective at low speed. Won't help with the OP's problem at all.

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At least not measurable albeit I have wondered if the AH has the dive flap modeled on all of the time. 

I have measured the C47 speed with the door open and closed.  The speed does drop by a couple of mph when the door is open.  My point being, AH includes a lot of detail in their modeling.

[Traveler]

That flap is completely ineffective at low speed. Won't help with the OP's problem at all.

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Got to ask, how is the flap on the P38 "ineffective at low speed"?

remember the purpose of the flap is to allow a pilot to lower the nose of the aircraft without increasing the airspeed.