Aces High Bulletin Board

General Forums => Aircraft and Vehicles => Topic started by: Stryker on October 14, 2009, 01:49:53 PM

Title: P-38J vs P-38L
Post by: Stryker on October 14, 2009, 01:49:53 PM
lookin to start learning either the J or L.. any advice from you 38 experts out there on the advantages/disadvantages of the 2.. only thing i really notice different is the dive flaps and
maybe slightly faster roll rate on the L. but i rarely fly either of them so i dont really know much

suggestions and advice greatly appreciated


-Gambit  :salute
Title: Re: P-38J vs P-38L
Post by: Ponyace on October 14, 2009, 02:04:43 PM
What you mentioned.....is about it.

The only difference between the L and the J (from what Ive heard) is the dive flaps and booster aileron in the L which, I assume, would indeed increase roll rate if slightly. Otherwise, the speed, rate of climb, etc. is the same.

But Im no expert on the subjet. Maybe one of the S.A.P.P. guys can answer this better.
Title: Re: P-38J vs P-38L
Post by: Plazus on October 14, 2009, 02:28:29 PM
The J and the L are the exact same airframe. The only difference is the huge increase in roll rate above 375 mph. Also you have dive flaps as well. Note that the dive flaps DO NOT create enough drag to actually slow down the aircraft. Its sole purpose is to help keep the nose up during dives. All other performance specs, including climb, speed, horsepower, turn rate is all the same.

Having flown the P38s a lot this past year, I can say that the L offers more options in a dogfight than the J. People generally fly the J because of its skins, and the ENY value.
Title: Re: P-38J vs P-38L
Post by: texastc316 on October 14, 2009, 02:30:47 PM
I fly the L. Roll rate is a big difference for me.
Title: Re: P-38J vs P-38L
Post by: MjTalon on October 14, 2009, 02:32:09 PM
I fly the L. Roll rate is a big difference for me.

Likewise for me as well. Roll rate is a huge advantage that is taking lightly sometimes.
Title: Re: P-38J vs P-38L
Post by: Spikes on October 14, 2009, 02:48:18 PM
I fly the J as do a lot of the SAPP guys...just feels more like home to me.
Title: Re: P-38J vs P-38L
Post by: Anodizer on October 14, 2009, 03:10:58 PM
Someone once said the L feels like it's on rails..  I'd agree with this statement..  The L is fairly predictable(for the pilot)..  Being a 38 wannabe, I find myself switching between the G and the L.. 

The J seems floppy to me..  I don't like that it won't role as well..  I almost never use the Dive Recovery Flaps, so those aren't really an issue for me.. 

What ever you pick, don't fall into the BnZ black hole..  You'll never experience the real fun of a 38 if you do that..
Learn to fight it slow....  Take it to the stall limit..  Don't be afraid when it shakes and shudders and the stall buzzer is screaming in your ear...  That's a good thing! :aok
Title: Re: P-38J vs P-38L
Post by: texastc316 on October 14, 2009, 05:18:23 PM
He's right ^^^
Title: Re: P-38J vs P-38L
Post by: Soulyss on October 14, 2009, 05:37:29 PM
J = more sexy skins

Because if I can't look good while plummeting out of the sky in flames then the whole thing just isn't worth it. :)
Title: Re: P-38J vs P-38L
Post by: texastc316 on October 14, 2009, 05:44:53 PM
J has better skins but L has PUDGY V :)
Title: Re: P-38J vs P-38L
Post by: Ack-Ack on October 14, 2009, 05:47:13 PM
If you're going to split hairs, the P-38L is the best of the three.  It has better roll rate at high speeds due to the boosted ailerons and dive flaps to aid in high speed dive recovery.  It also has a good payload, can carry 2x 1,000 pound bombs and 10 HVAR rockets.

Performance wise, other than the boosted ailerons and dive flaps, it's pretty much identical to the J model.  

In all honesty, the choice between the two is nothing more than personal preference.


ack-ack
Title: Re: P-38J vs P-38L
Post by: StokesAk on October 14, 2009, 06:10:33 PM
There are alot of discussions about the 38's. If you want more info you can search it and you will find pages of stuff.
Title: Re: P-38J vs P-38L
Post by: CAP1 on October 15, 2009, 11:11:56 AM
lookin to start learning either the J or L.. any advice from you 38 experts out there on the advantages/disadvantages of the 2.. only thing i really notice different is the dive flaps and
maybe slightly faster roll rate on the L. but i rarely fly either of them so i dont really know much

suggestions and advice greatly appreciated


-Gambit  :salute

although i don't fly it much.......fly the G....get down n dirty, and piss off some spit drivers.

 me? i stick mostly to my J right now. i still need the crutch of having WEP.

 38's are SERIOUS fun....and beautiful to boot.  :aok
Title: Re: P-38J vs P-38L
Post by: CAP1 on October 15, 2009, 11:19:31 AM
Someone once said the L feels like it's on rails..  I'd agree with this statement..  The L is fairly predictable(for the pilot)..  Being a 38 wannabe, I find myself switching between the G and the L.. 

The J seems floppy to me..  I don't like that it won't role as well..  I almost never use the Dive Recovery Flaps, so those aren't really an issue for me.. 

What ever you pick, don't fall into the BnZ black hole..  You'll never experience the real fun of a 38 if you do that..
Learn to fight it slow....  Take it to the stall limit..  Don't be afraid when it shakes and shudders and the stall buzzer is screaming in your ear...  That's a good thing! :aok

i just had a fight against oldman22.....38j vs 38j. was up at 18k. i dunno about him, but i was riding the stall buzzer almost constantly.....it was a FUN fight.

i like the feel of the j.
Title: Re: P-38J vs P-38L
Post by: bravoa8 on October 15, 2009, 01:47:37 PM
What is it with all these P38's on the rooks? S.A.P.P. on the rooks? Im on the bish and i always see P38's on the rooks.
Title: Re: P-38J vs P-38L
Post by: CAP1 on October 15, 2009, 01:57:08 PM
What is it with all these P38's on the rooks? S.A.P.P. on the rooks? Im on the bish and i always see P38's on the rooks.

I FLY knight in mw, and whatever country SAPP dudes are on in lw.  :aok :bolt:
Title: Re: P-38J vs P-38L
Post by: Guppy35 on October 15, 2009, 05:29:21 PM
And why is the 38G not in this discussion?  Looks the best and turns the nicest :)

As for the J v L.  As a 38G driver I can get in the J and feel fairly decent about it.  I tend to have more trouble with the L because of the power assisted ailerons .

Interestingly enough I came across a mention in a WW2 38 history where the guys transitioning from the early 38s and the early J to the J-25 and L with the power assist took a while to get used to it because it was more sensitive on the controls.

Pick one, stick with it til you are comfortable and enjoy.  It's not a bird that folks get decent in after only a few flights, and, at least in my case, a great night where it's all working, is usually followed by a night or two where I'd swear I'd never been in a cartoon 38 before.
Title: Re: P-38J vs P-38L
Post by: texastc316 on October 15, 2009, 05:52:09 PM
38s are everywhere
SAPP is everywhere
Title: Re: P-38J vs P-38L
Post by: Ack-Ack on October 15, 2009, 06:13:59 PM
One thing I forgot to mention, once you've made the decision to dedicate yourself to flying the Lightning, you must not fly any other plane.  Why?  Because the Lightning is a Bi*ch Goddess and doesn't like you cheating on her and will make you pay for it in spades.


ack-ack
Title: Re: P-38J vs P-38L
Post by: Lusche on October 15, 2009, 06:43:42 PM
One thing I forgot to mention, once you've made the decision to dedicate yourself to flying the Lightning, you must not fly any other plane.  Why?  Because the Lightning is a Bi*ch Goddess and doesn't like you cheating on her and will make you pay for it in spades.


ack-ack

 :uhoh Oh.. that explains everything.. and I've always wondered why this bird appears to reject my advances...
Title: Re: P-38J vs P-38L
Post by: Guppy35 on October 15, 2009, 08:28:02 PM
:uhoh Oh.. that explains everything.. and I've always wondered why this bird appears to reject my advances...

It's because you pick and run and are a coward!

That guy last night said so!  :)
Title: Re: P-38J vs P-38L
Post by: Lusche on October 15, 2009, 08:37:10 PM
 :rofl

He was basically right... but just not this time  :P
Title: Re: P-38J vs P-38L
Post by: Stryker on October 16, 2009, 09:11:53 AM
One thing I forgot to mention, once you've made the decision to dedicate yourself to flying the Lightning, you must not fly any other plane.  Why?  Because the Lightning is a Bi*ch Goddess and doesn't like you cheating on her and will make you pay for it in spades.


ack-ack

ill be faithful to her, ill rub her and stroke her and she shall be mine
Title: Re: P-38J vs P-38L
Post by: Soulyss on October 16, 2009, 10:23:11 AM
ill be faithful to her, ill rub her and stroke her and she shall be mine


"I will name him George, and I will hug him and pet him...." :D
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2JlVqfC8-UI (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2JlVqfC8-UI)
Title: Re: P-38J vs P-38L
Post by: Stryker on October 16, 2009, 11:46:42 AM
 :x god i miss those old cartoons.. the person who canceled them should be shot.. 2 times in the head for good measure, lettin retarded crap like avatar and every other dumb new cartoon take over


 :furious
Title: Re: P-38J vs P-38L
Post by: texastc316 on October 16, 2009, 05:52:11 PM
Flew 2 sorties in a pony last night. Augered twice while saddled on red guys. Crawled back to 38L in shame.
Title: Re: P-38J vs P-38L
Post by: StokesAk on October 16, 2009, 06:12:27 PM
Flew 2 sorties in a pony last night. Augered twice while saddled on red guys. Crawled back to 38L in shame.

How ironic, most people auger the 38L.
Title: Re: P-38J vs P-38L
Post by: texastc316 on October 16, 2009, 06:33:00 PM
I'm not most people anymore I guess :)
Title: Re: P-38J vs P-38L
Post by: CAP1 on October 16, 2009, 07:18:24 PM
I'm not most people anymore I guess :)

i never have been "most people". it's why i don't have many friends. it's also why the few i have are such good friends.  :aok
Title: Re: P-38J vs P-38L
Post by: texastc316 on October 16, 2009, 07:31:11 PM
Same