Author Topic: P-38 Pilots....Rude Needs A Favor! (Read 883 times)

Rude · « **on:** July 24, 2003, 11:37:08 AM »

I started flying the 38 a couple of weeks ago and have decided to stay with this bird until I have aquired some serious skills(8-10 years).

Would any of you who know and fly this plane well be willing to spend some time with me in the DA? I've found the DA has provided me the most complete education regarding ACM, style and technique.

Can't really remember who is dangerous in the 38, so whoever you are, help me pls:)

Thanks!

eddiek · « **Reply #1 on:** July 24, 2003, 11:59:32 AM »

AKAK, ManeTMP, Fester (dangerous in anything these three pilots) are the first ones who come to mind.

Steve · « **Reply #2 on:** July 24, 2003, 12:24:35 PM »

Rude, take me with you!!! I have started flying this plane some... and I suck in it... even more than I suck other planes!

Toad · « **Reply #3 on:** July 24, 2003, 12:26:26 PM »

Careful, Steve. Rude now goes where the Iron Crosses grow. He's down in the mud, the blood and the beer, whirling and swirling right in the middle of them. He ain't hovering and pickin'.

Sandman · « **Reply #4 on:** July 24, 2003, 12:33:19 PM »

Rude... you should also ask Killjoy. He's got some talent with this plane.

FTPiper · « **Reply #5 on:** July 24, 2003, 12:36:00 PM »

I, too, would love some help in the 38. It is a real treat to get your donut handed to you by a skillful 38 driver.

Steve · « **Reply #6 on:** July 24, 2003, 12:36:04 PM »

Toad, you're so nice to me. Thank you for treating me so well!

Toad · « **Reply #7 on:** July 24, 2003, 12:38:58 PM »

Just a head's up. Follow Rude and you won't live forever.

Wouldn't have it any other way though. It's where the action is! Come fly with us some night when we're wrasslin' in the mud with the BK's. You'll die right along with us and them, but you'll a great time..... ALL the time. The fight's the thing.

SLO · « **Reply #8 on:** July 24, 2003, 12:39:29 PM »

just grab the thing and fight.....

you will learn soon enough what to do...and what not to do.

man you guys should stop your learn just 1 plane at a time thing.....

flyin same plane 2 times in a row gets kinda boring

.....

fly em all.....

Ack-Ack · « **Reply #9 on:** July 24, 2003, 02:34:30 PM »

Here are a couple of tips to help you get on your way.

Since you are already an excellent P-51 driver, flying the P-38 should be an easy transition. Until you get used to using the flaps in turn fighting situations, fly the Lightning like you'd fly the P-51.

Do not use Combat Trim in the P-38. It hinders you more than helps you and can keep you from flying the P-38 on the edge. The only trim you need to adjust (unless you have battle damage to the wings) is the elevator trim and even that you don't really have to touch. Just set your elevator trim to the horizontal bottom part of the L on the elevator trim indicator.

If you don't mind reading some or watching some films, here are some links to various threads and films on the P-38.

Here's a link to a crap load of P-38 films.

P-38 films

Here's another link to some P-38 films that Leviathn had made for me to help me transition to the AH P-38 after flying the AW P-38J for so long. One of the films is an excellent training aid on how to use flaps as he shows how to endlessly loop a P-38 by just using the flaps to generate the necessary lift.

Leviathn's P-38 films

Here are some links to different threads on the P-38 where some of the other excellent P-38 pilots in AH discuss some various tactics.

A hand with the P-38

A question on verticals

P-38 driving questions

Here's another link to a film of me in a P-38 against a 205. It's a long film, close to 10 minutes in length.

P-38 vs. 205

Here's a film of a duel with a Spitfire Mk XIV.

P-38 vs. Spitfire Mk XIV

Another film where I get into a fight with a 205.

P-38 run

Next time your in the MA, check the roster to see if I'm online and I'll be more than happy to go with you to the DA for some sparring. You can also ask guys like Murdr and BURNM (both excellent P-38 drivers as well) for help and tips.

Ack-Ack

Kaz · « **Reply #10 on:** July 24, 2003, 03:11:15 PM »

Kappa and Lazer, though haven't seen Lazer in awhile. Slo you're good in everything so umm shush!

killjoy1 · « **Reply #11 on:** July 24, 2003, 03:14:04 PM »

AK-AK's list is the best. I recommend reviewing all the films before seting off to master the p-38.

OTOH is too many find out how to fly the P-38 its gonna get perked.

It would be nice to do a p-38 good will tour some night to demonstrate what it can do in a pack. I personally can think of nothing harder to defend against.

Can any body show me how to do that "slice-back"? thats the one where you zoom up and kick the tail around. I just haven't found the groove yet.

Rude · « **Reply #12 on:** July 24, 2003, 03:41:40 PM »

Thanks Ack Ack....and everyone else too.

I'll review the films and such, however, I'm a visual learner...the DA will yield the most potent results for me.

Thanks Ack and I'll chk the roster til I get ya:)

jamusta · « **Reply #13 on:** July 24, 2003, 06:04:02 PM »

Hey AKAk I think I watched that fight with you and the 205... I was one of the vultures waiting to feast.... We were amazed at what you could do in that thing. Was a very long fight and we watched and waited and as soon as he went down we swooped in... We were laughing cus it was so unfair but fun especially since we knew it was you...

Ack-Ack · « **Reply #14 on:** July 24, 2003, 09:03:25 PM »

LOL! That was a really fun fight I had with FrankB and having you guys circle like vultures above only added to the fun. It forced me to keep my eyes open and be aware of where you guys were at in case you guys decided to swoop in and help FrankB. It's that reason why I use this film as both an example of what a P-38 can do against a 205 but also as an example of situation awareness in a dogfight with multiple bad guys around.

Ack-Ack