Generally I think this AH P-38 superior to slow Fw 190A-8.
When 1.05 comes, it will also fix that wide dispersion from the center, which will make up for P-38's nose mounted .50 calibers.
It turns better, it climbs better and should be faster too.
Although, I don't like P-38s control response as much as 190A-8s.
Either the game or my stick, but in P-38 I can't aim a plane because nose keeps being bouncy.
P-38s most definitive disadvantage compared to 190a8, is its lack of visibility from the cockpit.
Rolling at slow speed in P-38 is slow and without one aileron, its almost non existant (I were once landing with one aileron missing - one aileron gave almost no control input at all when slow.. had to bank with the rudder)
P-38 is big nice target to hit, but it also has 2 vertical stabs/rudders to lose and two engines. (though, P-38 seems to get hit in the engines like those would be bullet magnets)
but P38 is hard to stop, in landing this comes difficult, but that tells it has somewhat good E-retention.
(well.. go compare to typhoon.. it drops like a rock without engine, no matter if RPMs are at minimum or not)
Something also stinks with acceleration of P-38, but I can say that same of Fw190's as well.
It is slow acceleration, specially when going for speeds above 200mph.
So.. if we think that P-38 is lousy and its pilots should be respected alot more than others, we shouldn't forget about Fw 190a-8 pilots or those that flies 109F-4 or C.202 (slooow and poorly armed)
P-38 probably is rare just because of its control response, lack of visilibity from cockpit and average armament.
It does not have that fearsome weapons that many hopes for (not many flies yaks either, even though its GREAT in AH.. just because of lacking hit power)
1.05 probably fixes alot problems with .50 calibers, when fire is more accurate. (..they actually fixed something that I squeaked about
)