Another important factor when fighting the P-38L, is that a lot of people don't have a clear grasp of exactly just what it can do.
Some people mention the C.205, others mention the La-5FN, but personally I think the single most under-estimated fighter in AH is the P-38L. The P-38L is a late-war variant that solved many of the problems with its previous versions, and has superior performance powerful enough to satisfy MA standards.
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typically in verticals, the P-38L possesses both the out-zooming and and out-climbing characteristics.
"Out-zooming" is a unique trait that belongs almost exclusively to the US fighters, coming from the fact that they are heavy. Common physics suggest that heavy objects, as long as there is enough power, moves faster than light objects, and it is also more difficult to stop a heavy object than a light one. Thus, as long as a plane holds enough speed in the initial stages, a heavier plane will zoom up faster than a lighter one.
I'm sure that everyone has the experience of chasing a P-51 or a P-47, being pretty sure that with current E-states you'll be able to follow him throughout his zoom climb. Then suddenly, as the heavy US plane starts going vertical, you note in dismay that for some reason it is difficult to catch it in a vertical... and by the time you almost catch up to him, he's coming down on you with those 4~8 .50 machine gun blazing head-on.
This is because, while light planes with powerful engines such as the Bf109s can zoom up in great distances, the speed of the zoom isn't particularly fast. Thus, though in absolute height a plane like the Bf109 may out-zoom a US fighter, often the US fighter(if it had enough speed) can zoom up very fast, finish the reversal and come thundering down when the Bf109 is still on its way up. When timed right, it offers a very deadly Head-On shot opportunity for the US fighter - in a vertical situation, the upper plane coming down can aim a lot more accurately than the lower plane. The upper plane in this case, also has a superior weapon with high rate of fire and accuracy, and also has better hitting power due to the kinetic energy(Pyro says AH models kinetic energy differences in fired rounds).
On the other hand, "out-climbing" is a characteristic more familiar with the lighter planes. The Bf109 can go vertical, and go a great distance in this state thanks to its light weight and powerful engine. In equal E-states, if a US plane cannot time his 'out-zooming' right, the Bf109 will stick behind its tail and just not let it go in a vertical. Often a 109G-10 can turn the tables against a P-51D or a P-47D that comes down in a typical BnZ attack. Just lure the enemy plane down in a shallow dive, and once the Bf109 hits 400~450mph speed, if the US plane zooms up after a failed attack, the 109 can, and will follow it in a zoom climb despite 50~80mph speed difference. Also, against more maneuverable and nimble fighters, the Bf109 can lure it into a sustained climb rate competition, which of course the winner is only obvious.
Now, the P-38L has BOTH of those characteristics(!). It has its natural advantages of being a heavy US fighter. It also climbs exceptionally well for a US plane.
Of course, it cannot the out-climb the Bf109, but in a pure vertical situation, that problem is neutralized due to the fact that it has no torque, and continue the zoom up to drastically low speed and still make a quick and safe reversal.
In AH, there is a high possibility of falling into a plain or inverted flat spin if a vertical zoom is carried on for too long. Thus, in every plane there is a 'safety limit' which the reversal sequence has to be started. or face the dangers of falling into a difficult stall. Of course, there's a difference between expert pilots and rookies, but generally, the reversal has to be started around 100mph for most of the planes. In the case of the P-38L, this 'safety speed' may go down to as low as 30~50mph(!!). Go straight up, and just pop flaps out and it will nose down clean, without leaning all over the place(and making it prone to falling into a bad stall) due to torque.
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The combination of those three factors - out-zooming, out-climbing, and no-torque - gives the P-38L a very rare characteristic advantage which no other fighter in AH holds. It turns the P-38L into perhaps the most dreaded vertical fighter in AH.
Is that all for the P-38L? Of course not.
Recent tests(courtesy of Mister Fork) reveal that the P-38L is in 11th place at low altitudes, and 5th place(!) at high altitudes in acceleration.
Also, with the exception of a few USN fighters, it boasts a superior turning performance among US planes. No Luftwaffe plane out-turns the P-38L except the Bf109E-4 and the F-4.
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So, when all of the traits we see are put together into one, the P-38L, is a plane like this:
1) Excellent in verticals
2) Good sustained climb
3) Average/Good turn performance
4) Excellent acceleration
5) Good speed at high alt(about 416mph @ 25,000ft)
6) Good speed at low alt(about 344mph @ deck)
7) Excellent firepower(.50x4, HispMkII 20mmx1, centerline armament)
8) Excellent dive
9) Average/Good roll performance at 300~400mph
10) Excellent roll performance at 400+mph
11) Very Poor pitch response at 400+mph
12) Excellent multi-purpose plane
13) Good range
Compare the Bf109G-10 in same categories..
1) Excellent in verticals
2) Excellent sustained climb
3) Poor/Average turn performance
4) Excellent acceleration
5) Excellent speed at high alt(about 452mph @ 22,000ft)
6) Excellent speed at low alt(366mph @ deck)
7) Poor firepower(MK108 has problems with efficiency as A2A weapon)
8) Average dive
9) Average roll performance at 300~400mph
10) Very Poor roll performance at 400+mph
11) Very Poor pitch response at 400+mph
12) Very Poor multi-purpose plane
13) Very Poor range
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Now, compare the Fw190D-9 also..
1) Good/Excellent in verticals
2) Average sustained climb
3) Very Poor turn performance
4) Average acceleration
5) Excellent speed at high alt(about 427mph @ 17,500ft)
6) Excellent speed at low alt(about 375mph @ deck)
7) Good firepower
8) Excellent dive
9) Excellent roll performance at 300~400mph
10) Good roll performance at 400+mph
11) Average/Good pitch response at 400+mph
12) Very Poor multi-purpose plane
13) Poor/Average range
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How about the P-51D?
1) Good/Excellent in verticals
2) Average sustained climb
3) Poor turn performance
4) Average acceleration
5) Excellent speed at high alt(about 437mph @ 24,500ft)
6) Excellent speed at low alt(about 367mph @ deck)
7) Good/Excellent firepower
8) Excellent dive
9) Good roll performance at 300~400mph
10) Good roll performance at 400+mph
11) Excellent pitch response at 400+mph
12) Excellent multi-purpose plane
13) Excellent range
and the La-7?
1) Excellent in verticals(limited to low altitudes)
2) Excellent in sustained climb(limited to low altitudes)
3) Average turn performance
4) Excellent acceleration
5) Good speed at high alt(about 410mph @ 20,000ft)
6) Excellent speed at low alt(about 380mph @ deck)
7) Good firepower
8) Average dive
9) Average roll performance at 300~400mph
10) Average roll performance at 400+mph
11) Poor/Average pitch response at 400+mph
12) Poor multi-purpose plane
13) Good range(La-7 range seems to have some problems)
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This crude, but simple comparison shows that as a balanced fighter, the P-38L is one of the best planes in AH.
The reason that people often do not realize this fact is, many rookies come in this plane with jabo purposes and either auger to the ground, or get chased by zillion enemy planes and drop out of the sky like flies. There aren't many people who solely specialize in the P-38L, and most of the times it is a secondary choice as a high-risk jabo plane. Thus, not many are familiar with its potentials. It is usually an easy kill.
Another reason is its lack of low-alt speed. 344mph at deck is not a slow speed, but considering the nature of the MA, once it chased around at low altitudes, it is not going to escape planes like the La-7. However, this is a problem with many other planes also.
Perhaps the most important reason is its bad reputation coming from the comments of Luftwaffe officers. Despite the P-38s in Europe were earlier variants, many people still do not realize that there is a very clear difference in performance levels between the "L" model and its predecessors such as "H", "F" or "G" models. The difference between the "L" and its earlier brothers, is like the difference between the LaGG-3 and the La-5FN.
Whatever reason there may be, the P-38L is underlooked. Advantages in maximum speed, is only worth something when you are running. As long as one chooses to fight, the P-38L is a very powerful enemy.
