Aces High Bulletin Board
General Forums => Aircraft and Vehicles => Topic started by: Nimrod45 on April 21, 2014, 10:15:36 AM
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Okay I was flying the Spit after a long Hiatus from the game, I thought this is the plane I like and I can do well in it, and everybody said, "its a Noob ride" after you get the rust knocked off you will look for something more challenging, to that I said "nope I'm a spit driver." Then just the other night I took a P-38 out just for fun...........and it was FUN, and SMOOTH!! Now I am a P-38 driver, LOL.
So I expect to be shot down and laughed at for a while untill I learn how to push the beast to it's limits and if there are any P-38 drivers that want to offer advice or even some one on one help I would really appreciate it. Salute to you P-38 drivers, man what a plane!!! :rock
Nimrod
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Awesome aircraft, giant target. People will run right past a candy factory, brothel, money printing factory, and a swarm of C47's to take a shot at a low P38. Prepare for that, and you'll be fine.
Wiley.
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Send Delirium a nice PM explaining how hooked you are and if he has the time he'll show you how to fly it the right way.
Good luck. :aok
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Awesome aircraft, giant target. People will run right past a candy factory, brothel, money printing factory, and a swarm of C47's to take a shot at a low P38. Prepare for that, and you'll be fine.
Wiley.
LOL, :lol, I've always wanted to know what it feels like to be wanted that bad.
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Awesome aircraft, giant target. People will run right past a candy factory, brothel, money printing factory, and a swarm of C47's to take a shot at a low P38. Prepare for that, and you'll be fine.
Wiley.
:lol So true.
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Awesome aircraft, giant target. People will run right past a candy factory, brothel, money printing factory, and a swarm of C47's to take a shot at a low P38. Prepare for that, and you'll be fine.
Wiley.
Unless there is a Mosquito next to it....
It that case they go for the Mosquito, then the P-38. :p
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Awesome aircraft, giant target. People will run right past a candy factory, brothel, money printing factory, and a swarm of C47's to take a shot at a low P38. Prepare for that, and you'll be fine.
Wiley.
I find that the size of the P-38 is actually somewhat deceptive. While it's certainly a fair amount of airplane that takes up a lot of space, it's also got a great big hole in the middle. Most aircraft if your lead is a bit short, you might still be able to clip off his empennage. Not so the P-38. They'll just get sucked down that black hole between the booms.
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Unless there is a Mosquito next to it....
It that case they go for the Mosquito, then the P-38. :p
Priority of targets:
262
Tempest
F4U-4
F4U-1C
110
Mossie
P-38
Spitfires
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I find that the size of the P-38 is actually somewhat deceptive. While it's certainly a fair amount of airplane that takes up a lot of space, it's also got a great big hole in the middle. Most aircraft if your lead is a bit short, you might still be able to clip off his empennage. Not so the P-38. They'll just get sucked down that black hole between the booms.
And now I know what an empennage is hahaha.... :rock
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One of my favorite. Best sound in the game. No more oiled cockpit screens which is a super benefit
It is easy to bait out a half dozen to a dozen planes at the time form an enemy base just by making a pass.
I prefer the L because of the aileron booster simulation but the J is a real perk farmer. Try the G out as well. One of the best setups is use the J in fighter mode and the L in Attack mode if you have trouble remembering to make the scoring switch.
Throttle management is very important but you don't need to two throttles. With two you can throttle down one engine with a partial missing wing and it does help in a wing over a bit but not worth changing throttles just for that.
Delirium was looking at having a training session for all new P38 players to go over the basics. Not sure if that happened or not as of yet.
You can live longer if you have a support group around you as kind of a safe haven to nest in after a pick or you can just go hunting avoiding high density fights where there is no safe haven for a P-38. If you don't worry about K/D then just have a blast. Nothing more fun than having a bunch of reds chase you all over the place albeit it want end well.
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I find that the size of the P-38 is actually somewhat deceptive. While it's certainly a fair amount of airplane that takes up a lot of space, it's also got a great big hole in the middle. Most aircraft if your lead is a bit short, you might still be able to clip off his empennage. Not so the P-38. They'll just get sucked down that black hole between the booms.
Exception to this is that of a 30mm round. The entire tail section suddenly fills in and becomes one large mass, always coming off with a hit. :)
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Exception to this is that of a 30mm round. The entire tail section suddenly fills in and becomes one large mass, always coming off with a hit. :)
I am pretty sure the tail booms are made of paper-mache. :lol
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The P-38's give a pretty slim side profile in comparison to most fighters which can be useful defensively.
Personally I like the G model most followed by the J. Despite a marginal difference between the J and L I've never had any luck in the L so now I just avoid it.
Get used to being busy with throttle and flaps.
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Speaking of 38s, I miss the 80th. Currently I see a 38 and my palms get twitching, expecting a rather decent kill. Used to be I would get nervous guessing it was one of those 80th guys about to embarrass me. I loved the old days!!
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G model is best 38! :aok
I love the G so much! So smooth, so nimble! It's the 109F of the P38s! And 35 ENY!!! :O With the ammo it carries I have come home with 50+ perkies several times!
J and L are nice too but WEP is cheating :P
I don't fly the P-38's enough and I really suck in them. Maybe it's time I started flying them more often.
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Unless there is a Mosquito next to it....
It that case they go for the Mosquito, then the P-38. :p
:rofl I've actually been spending a bunch of time in the Mossie the last few days. It seems to create quite a bit of confusion while people decide which of us to go for when there's a 38 in the area.
I find that the size of the P-38 is actually somewhat deceptive. While it's certainly a fair amount of airplane that takes up a lot of space, it's also got a great big hole in the middle. Most aircraft if your lead is a bit short, you might still be able to clip off his empennage. Not so the P-38. They'll just get sucked down that black hole between the booms.
I always make it a point to aim for one of the booms when I'm shooting at one. Hardest plane in the game to hit from dead six too, IMO.
Wiley.
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The 38 is perhaps the most underappreciated fighter in the set. It is the players that treat it like it is a B38 are responsible for that bad rep. An experts plane, definitely, and a most capable one, especially above 10k.
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It can be a dangerous plane if you underestimate it or read incorrectly its energy.
Few days ago I had seen TwinTail landing 14 kills in P-38 :-) one or two of them were me.
However most of players don't know to fly it, and it just becomes a big fat target
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In a base defense with a fighter cap, you can clear the cap by taking off in a P38 with WEP on staying on the deck going straight. I did it last night again. Your fellow greens will have a chance to gain some E.
Just as fun is that some may and do kill themselves shooting each other while crowding together to kill a 38.
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I spent some time with Nice Try in the DA, this was after some very frustrating time in the MA where I was excelling at improving other peoples K/D ratio, LOL. He spent some time showing me how to make this beast dangerous, Flaps, Rudder and Throttle, and use a light hand on the stick. I know I am going to get the crud kicked out of me for a while but it will pay off and I will eventually be dangerouse in the P-38. I am not speaking badly against planes like the Spit or the fellas that like to fly them, they are awesome. But for me I am sure that flying them were going to be my limiting factor in growth and improvement in the game, I think stepping into something more challenging will open up a new demension spo to speak.
:salute Nice Try.
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I am really at a loss why the 38 gets so little respect. It didn't used to be this way, or at least not nearly as bad.
True, the P-38 is all wrong: it has Alisons instead of Merlins, it is made of metal instead of wood, far too few Hispanos, instead of a stick you hold an evening-tie shaped object connected to a bent rod coming out of the side, and instead of a bomb-bay it has a big hole in the middle - I mean what the hell were they smoking in Lockheed? Worst of all, my navigator has to sit on my lap, I don't know how they tolerated it in WWII.
A P-38 with an energy advantage and a fighter pilot at the sti..whee..yok..whatever! is one of the planes I fear most. The thing can zoom like the Hubble-space-telescope, and when you think it zoomed enough, it zooms some more. In AHI I did zoom tests from 300 mph and the P-38 was the clear winner. Never did tests in AHII, but it still feels like a great zoomer. Like all the twins it is more difficult on the defense because you do not get second chances - even the two weekers and number guys will be hitting you if given the chance. But this can be overcome.
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I am really at a loss why the 38 gets so little respect. It didn't used to be this way, or at least not nearly as bad.
After awhile you just get tired of fighting every high La7s, Yaks, spit 16, p51s, K models in the sector and the endless picking of the even higher 190s. Sometimes all of these at once.
1v3 or 4 is common 1v1 rare even then your are most sure to get picked by a 190 and then they hardly ever stay to fight. They just climb.
If you can get on any of these planes butts, they will have one heck of time shaking you.
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I am really at a loss why the 38 gets so little respect. It didn't used to be this way, or at least not nearly as bad.
It's always been this way. The P-38 is the Rodney Dangerfield of fighters, it gets no respect.
ack-ack
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I am really at a loss why the 38 gets so little respect. It didn't used to be this way, or at least not nearly as bad.
Bishop P-38 missions. I was curious to see how many would crash before being killed by an enemy, I lost track at 7, but I know I missed some, and there looked to be only about 15 there or so.
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Unless there is a Mosquito next to it....
It that case they go for the Mosquito, then the P-38. :p
True, Bozon's Mossie attracts enemies like no other plane but the C47s and 410. Normally he kills them within seconds, but when he prolongs the fight, he forces them slower and vulnerable for his wingman to expend his bullets at.
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The P38 is like a 1911 in a lot of ways - large and small in just the right places. The side profile view is probably one of the slimmest in the game, so if you're decent at pointing your wing at the enemy who is shooting at you, you present probably the most difficult target in the planeset to hit.
I will say fighting in a situation where you are overwhelmed, the P38 is certainly not the plane I personally would want to be in, you know, one of those one or two of you left after a big furball, and about 7 or 8 bad guys. Spit5/Hurricane/N1k, and even maybe some of the 109s I'm often able to fight my way out of these situations I quite often find myself in due to how I fly (stupidly from a survival viewpoint sometimes), where is in the P38 if I'm lucky I'll get one or two of them before I present a huge easy profile shot to somebody and die. For a pilot smarter than me that can stay out of those situations for the most part, it's easily the most overlooked aircraft which is able to win in so many ways. I read something somebody here wrote, that the planes the P38 can't turn or maneuver with, it can outpace, and the ones it can't outpace it can outurn - pretty much always has a strength someplace vs every other plane out there, that if you're good in it, you can exploit (again, not me).
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What I am finding is that in the P-38 you can actually separate your foes thereby allowing you to deal with the one at a time instead of as a group. I didnt do as well alone against multiple bogies in the Spitfire as I feel I do in the P-38. The only thing I am having trouble with is visibility, there are a lot of blind spots in the 38. All in all I have decided it is the plane for me.
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What I am finding is that in the P-38 you can actually separate your foes thereby allowing you to deal with the one at a time instead of as a group. I didnt do as well alone against multiple bogies in the Spitfire as I feel I do in the P-38. The only thing I am having trouble with is visibility, there are a lot of blind spots in the 38. All in all I have decided it is the plane for me.
It is amazing how sometimes a red can hide behind on of the canopy's thin braces. The front armor glass support is huge as compared to other planes. It may not be huge but the angle covers up a lot of sky. On the L it had rear facing radar to help with the blind spot. You do get use to it and swish back and forth to check a low rising attack.
TrackIR really helps.
Which ammo load-out do you carry? It is a real toss up call. The extra 50s sure makes great tickling ammo but at about 500 pounds, not sure if it is worth the weight.
What fuel load do you carry? I use to carry a drop tank but the old brain sometimes forgot to either drop the tank or switch back to the canon. Now I go 3/4s fuel and plan on using the first 1/4 climbing and traveling.
Are you using manual trim on the elevator? Takes a bit of practice but seems to be worth the trouble.
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I typically have been going with 50% fuel and a drop, but seem to have the same trouble remembering to ditch the drop tank before a fight. Last night I had a bit of a drawn out fight vs a Spixteen, I managed to win but realized after it was over I was still toting that drop tank, LOL.
I have also been going full ammo load, but will maybe try to lighter one based on what you said, besides I am used to flying planes with a short clip and have yet to burn through all the P-38's ammo load even though I am a horendous shot.
I have been flying with auto caombat trim only, but have been wondering about the maual option, I will try it to.
Thank you.
Nim
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The only thing I am having trouble with is visibility, there are a lot of blind spots in the 38. All in all I have decided it is the plane for me.
I'm sure Murdr's head positions are still up on the training site. You should download those and use them as a basis to adjust your views to more your liking.
ack-ack
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Which ammo load-out do you carry? It is a real toss up call. The extra 50s sure makes great tickling ammo but at about 500 pounds, not sure if it is worth the weight.
There is no advantage in taking the lighter ammo load, you're only hindering yourself by taking less ammo.
Are you using manual trim on the elevator? Takes a bit of practice but seems to be worth the trouble.
One of the good things about the P-38 is that you really don't have to keep adjusting the trim. Set the elevator trim just a little bit below the neutral position and leave it there, there is no need to adjust the elevator trim further unless you're compensating for damage to your flight controls.
ack-ack
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Which ammo load-out do you carry? It is a real toss up call. The extra 50s sure makes great tickling ammo but at about 500 pounds, not sure if it is worth the weight.
Does 500lbs in the centerline of a 16,000lb aircraft REALLY make much of a difference? It's not like the weight is out on the wings where it would impact its ability to roll.
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It is amazing how sometimes a red can hide behind on of the canopy's thin braces. The front armor glass support is huge as compared to other planes. It may not be huge but the angle covers up a lot of sky. On the L it had rear facing radar to help with the blind spot. You do get use to it and swish back and forth to check a low rising attack.
TrackIR really helps.
Which ammo load-out do you carry? It is a real toss up call. The extra 50s sure makes great tickling ammo but at about 500 pounds, not sure if it is worth the weight.
What fuel load do you carry? I use to carry a drop tank but the old brain sometimes forgot to either drop the tank or switch back to the canon. Now I go 3/4s fuel and plan on using the first 1/4 climbing and traveling.
Are you using manual trim on the elevator? Takes a bit of practice but seems to be worth the trouble.
The 38 FPH's I've talked to have all agreed the extra weight of the bigger ammo package shouldn't big an issue given where the weight is added. The only time I carry the light package is if I'm in the DA with someone, as I know I'm just not going to need very much ammo at all. That said, the light package MG and cannon seem to run out about the same time, so if you're of the mind you should RTB after your cannon is gone, you're just as well to take the lighter package.
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The 38 FPH's I've talked to have all agreed the extra weight of the bigger ammo package shouldn't big an issue given where the weight is added. The only time I carry the light package is if I'm in the DA with someone, as I know I'm just not going to need very much ammo at all. That said, the light package MG and cannon seem to run out about the same time, so if you're of the mind you should RTB after your cannon is gone, you're just as well to take the lighter package.
I was hoping you and or Ack would comment on the ammo load out. I keep flip-flopping on the load-out. Delirum supports the big load as well if I remember right. I have used the extra MG on longer shots with a fair amount of success but I had kept wondering if in a tight fight that the extra 500 pounds might be the old straw that broke the camel's back.
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Considering that the P-38 is about 8 tons of airplane, 500lbs on the centerline is a drop in the bucket. It's nothing like the proposals for a "land-based" option to remove 1000lbs out on the wings (wing fold mechanisms) for the F4U-1A and 1D.
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Considering that the P-38 is about 8 tons of airplane, 500lbs on the centerline is a drop in the bucket. It's nothing like the proposals for a "land-based" option to remove 1000lbs out on the wings (wing fold mechanisms) for the F4U-1A and 1D.
But you can tell the difference with 50% fuel and 75% fuel which is not much more than the heavy ammo load-out. You can go 75% fuel light ammo and don't have to worry about a drop tank.
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Yeah, but where's that fuel located? In the wings. Location matters as much as weight.
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Yeah, but where's that fuel located? In the wings. Location matters as much as weight.
I don't see your point of advantage with the fuel load better located near the CG and the heavy ammo load in the nose. A heavy nose is more stable but reduces maneuvering performance. Not sure what CG changes affect the AH model so it may be a mute point anyway.
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Fuel in the wings affects roll inertia. So do the 2 engines.
Usually "nose heavy" refers to trim not CG. Noses without engines are lighter.
The flight model is naturally centered on the CG. The CG and center of lift both vary as appropriate.
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Throttle management is very important but you don't need to two throttles. With two you can throttle down one engine with a partial missing wing and it does help in a wing over a bit but not worth changing throttles just for that
While I considered getting a dual throttle, I mapped my Ch throttle to give me the option.
(http://i1229.photobucket.com/albums/ee467/LabRat3947/CHProThrottle-LtngRydr15Jan2014.jpg)
Throttle back one engine and hammerheads are a little quicker.
I only fly P38s. Like most, I use the L for ground attack. The J is my usual choice for fighting. When the base is being attacked I will use the G and stay low.
LtngRydr
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. . . . When the base is being attacked I will use the G and stay low.
LtngRydr
That is a good idea on the G. I will give it try next base defense.
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I keep flip-flopping on the load-out. Delirum supports the big load as well if I remember right. I have used the extra MG on longer shots with a fair amount of success but I had kept wondering if in a tight fight that the extra 500 pounds might be the old straw that broke the camel's back.
I've been arguing with people about the merits of the large vs. small ammo load of the P-47. My opinion both for the 38 and 47 is that you should take the large ammo load and shoot it into your enemy to become light.
In the P-47 I go trigger happy and spray away till the counters show 1000 each. Then I am at the ammo load of the light package. By that point I am also warmed up, have a good feel for deflections, lightened the fuel load, and often 1 or 2 kills ahead. This is the time to start turning with those spits.
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In a base defense with a fighter cap, you can clear the cap by taking off in a P38 with WEP on staying on the deck going straight. I did it last night again. Your fellow greens will have a chance to gain some E.
I've gotta remember that! Too often in that situation, I take off and end up in a low speed turn and burn because I try to get guns on someone right away. :joystick:
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Which ammo load-out do you carry?
I always take full ammo. I'm such a lousy shot, I need all of it. :bhead
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I alternated load-outs on the J last night. Best I can tell, 75% of the time the light load out is a better choice. Your numbers may vary. In the attack mode the L, the full load-out is handy. I think I will try the P-38G with the light load-out.
I wished for two 75 gallon drop tanks for the P-38 which were common.
I agree with Bozon on the 47 except the D11 where I am thinking lighter is better.
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Very short film of my second ever sortie in a P38 in a duel after AKAK claimed I was avoiding dueling him.
http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/index.php/topic,359248.msg4807993.html#msg4807993
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I was hoping you and or Ack would comment on the ammo load out. I keep flip-flopping on the load-out. Delirum supports the big load as well if I remember right. I have used the extra MG on longer shots with a fair amount of success but I had kept wondering if in a tight fight that the extra 500 pounds might be the old straw that broke the camel's back.
The difference in weight between the two ammo loads is 372lbs. Considering the P38G, the lightest of the 3 we have in game still weighs in at 15,540lbs without external stores and 50% internal fuel, the weight contribution of that ammo is negligible. If my math is right that ammo is only about 2.4% of the total weight of the aircraft. For a duel I would take the lighter load just because one way or the other you're just not going to need the extra ammo, but in the MA I'd much rather have the extra trigger time.
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Soulyss, I have no real argument to take the lighter load as I stated. My only point is 75% of the time I don't need the extra ammo and that any lighter is always better even if it is a marginal advantage. I will say when I took the short load and ran out of ammo, it sucked.
I sure would not call using the big load-out wrong.
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I always take the heavier loadout in duels because I can't count on my shooting........and the fact that I will sacrifice advantage to take a shot.
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My only point is 75% of the time I don't need the extra ammo and that any lighter is always better even if it is a marginal advantage. I will say when I took the short load and ran out of ammo, it sucked.
I agree that either taking the light or full ammo load is strictly a personal preference but do keep in mind that taking the lighter load does not carry over any advantages. It's not going to make you suddenly turn tighter or maneuver better, though it will teach you fire discipline which I guess one could consider that advantageous.
ack-ack
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Very short film of my second ever sortie in a P38 in a duel after AKAK claimed I was avoiding dueling him.
http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/index.php/topic,359248.msg4807993.html#msg4807993
Rather looks like AKAK got a phone call halfway through or was otherwise distracted to me.
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Rather looks like AKAK got a phone call halfway through or was otherwise distracted to me.
I believe I just wasn't paying all that much attention during that fight then icepac mouthed off a little afterwards and he proceeded to lose the rest of our duels.
ack-ack
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I believe I just wasn't paying all that much attention during that fight then icepac mouthed off a little afterwards and he proceeded to lose the rest of our duels.
Classy of him though to shoehorn in a film of him 'pwning' you. I smell desperation. Smells like, tragedy.
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I took the G out for a spin last night. I sure like the better forward view.
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Classy of him though to shoehorn in a film of him 'pwning' you. I smell desperation. Smells like, tragedy.
Guess you are commenting on something you did not read.
I included reference to being owned the next 3 times.
My second flight ever in a P38 of any type in a duel VS AKAK after he claimed I was avoiding him.
After this, I was worried it was too uber but I lost the next 3 so the P38 doesn't become one of the uber hangar queens I avoid flying like the la7 and N1k.
Still.....haven't flown it since.
Pretty classy of you not to check before you post.
Also remember.....that was my second flight in a P38 ever VS ackack's many thousands of sorties in that ride.
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If you want to learn shot selection/trigger discipline...fly a yak for a bit. Large ammo load on P38 was always nice and allowed for landing those double digit kill runs more often.
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Classy of him though to shoehorn in a film of him 'pwning' you. I smell desperation. Smells like, tragedy.
Yep, even classier than the "You're not that good" comment he made, shortly before the 'pwning' commenced by me.
ack-ack
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Guess you are commenting on something you did not read.
I gathered sufficient information from these and your other posts to get a good impression of what you're all about.
Yep, even classier than the "You're not that good" comment he made, shortly before the 'pwning' commenced by me.
You're privileged to receive his assessment Ack-Ack. I hope you make good use of his input. You could always print it out on very soft paper...
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38J for the paint, 38L for the ailerons.
Lightning takes a bit of time to get used to.. ACM knowledge is a critical component to doing well in it, IMO.