Author Topic: P-38L (Read 1024 times)

Ike 2K# · « **on:** August 24, 2003, 01:18:50 PM »

Did P-38L variant see action in europe during daylight bombing escort along with P-51B/D and P-47Ds to Germany between 1943-'44?

Ike 2K# · « **Reply #1 on:** August 24, 2003, 04:58:54 PM »

Ack-Ack · « **Reply #2 on:** August 24, 2003, 05:12:54 PM »

By the time the improvements to the late J models and the introduction of the L model, the P-38 was pretty much delegated to the ground attack role in Europe, with the P-51D and P-47 doing most of the escort duties for the bombers. That's not to say that P-38L's once in awhile didn't escort bombers after '44 but it was no longer its prime role.

This wasn't do to the performance of the P-38, since pretty much all the problems were fixed in the late model J's and L model but rather from high command politics. Maybe Savage or Widewing will drop by and answer your question more in detail.

ack-ack

Ike 2K# · « **Reply #3 on:** August 24, 2003, 05:41:04 PM »

the L did see service in europe but only used as an attack plane to straff any targets in Germany right?

Ack-Ack · « **Reply #4 on:** August 24, 2003, 10:23:33 PM »

Yes, the L model saw service in Europe. I don't think in the numbers that saw service in the Pacific though. Nor do I know what models the Free French and the Italian Co-Belligerent Air Force flew but I think those were probably a mix of G, H and J models but they might have received L models in mid-'44 or maybe even retro-fitted late model J's.

In the later stages of the Euro war, think from mid-44 and on, the P-38's primary role was starting to grow into that of an attack plane. It was no longer one of the primary air superiority fighters of the USAAF, P-47Ds and P-51Ds had taken up that role. Even though the L model and retro-fitted late model J's fixed pretty much all the problems that plagued the older models. That's not to say that the P-38 in the later stages of the war weren't tasked with local air superiority or air defense missions, it just wasn't their #1 job anymore.

The L model also saw life in forms of different variants like the F-5 recce version and the P-38L "Droop snoot" that was used on pathfinder bombing missions.

P-38L "Droop snoot" pathfinder

Ack-Ack

Rutilant · « **Reply #5 on:** August 24, 2003, 10:40:27 PM »

Did they put someone in that nose?

Ack-Ack · « **Reply #6 on:** August 24, 2003, 10:42:52 PM »

Yep, someone had to use the Nordin bombsight.

ack-ack

Rutilant · « **Reply #7 on:** August 24, 2003, 11:00:12 PM »

They had better not be claustrophobic..

Widewing · « **Reply #8 on:** August 24, 2003, 11:38:16 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Ack-Ack
By the time the improvements to the late J models and the introduction of the L model, the P-38 was pretty much delegated to the ground attack role in Europe, with the P-51D and P-47 doing most of the escort duties for the bombers. That's not to say that P-38L's once in awhile didn't escort bombers after '44 but it was no longer its prime role.

This wasn't do to the performance of the P-38, since pretty much all the problems were fixed in the late model J's and L model but rather from high command politics. Maybe Savage or Widewing will drop by and answer your question more in detail.

ack-ack

Some P-38Ls did reach 8th AF fighter groups and did fly escort missions prior to all P-38 groups transitioning to the P-51. They were not employed extensively with the 8th. Eventually, all 8th AF P-38s were transferred to the 9th Tactical AF. Italy was another matter. P-38Ls did fly escort missions with the 15th AF until VE day. The 15th pounded Germany, Austria, Hungary and several other European south-central and south-eastern countries. Berlin was not the exclusive domain of the 8th AF as the 15th AF went there several times, with P-38Ls as part of the escort. The last time the 15th AF went to Berlin was March 24, 1945. 273 P-38Ls and J-25s made up about 40% of the escort. In the middle May of 1945, 125 P-38Ls attacked German transportation targets in the Brenner Pass. In aerial combat they claimed 14 Germans fighters for 1 loss. 6 other P-38s were lost to flak or accident. Five bridges were destroyed, two were major highway bridges cutting off German retreat), several hundred trucks and light armored vehicles were destroyed or damaged.

P-38s were very active in Europe right up until the German surrender.

My regards,

Widewing

GRUNHERZ · « **Reply #9 on:** August 25, 2003, 12:13:25 AM »

The middle of may? What? The war ended in May 8th...

Ack-Ack · « **Reply #10 on:** August 25, 2003, 02:10:46 AM »

Regardless when in May it took place, the Nazis sure got their butts handed back to them in that attack.

Ack-Ack

Eagle327 · « **Reply #11 on:** August 25, 2003, 03:50:50 AM »

Too bad they didn't convert the late P38's to swept wings as Grumman did with the F9F Panther-to-Cougar series jets.

Would have solved the 38's dive compression problems.

Cya,
Eagle

Ack-Ack · « **Reply #12 on:** August 25, 2003, 03:55:31 AM »

It didn't need to have swept wings. The dive flaps introduced in the L model and retro-fitted to the late J models solved that problem.

ack-ack

Bodhi · « **Reply #13 on:** August 25, 2003, 07:01:51 AM »

Ack Ack,

They only solved the problem if the pilot remembered to deploy them BEFORE or just after he initiated a high speed resultant dive. Otherwise the actuator motor would not have sufficient force to deploy the "flap".

Widewing · « **Reply #14 on:** August 25, 2003, 05:07:29 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by GRUNHERZ
The middle of may? What? The war ended in May 8th...

Sorry, typo.. It was middle of April, 1945.

My regards,

Widewing