DoctorYo and I flew a series of duels over two days in the TA. We started out with the 109A-8 against my P-38G. We switched to the 109F vs the P-38J.
The following day we began with the Spitfire Mk.IX vs the P-38G. Even though I held the advantage, I got cocky and I went for a low percentage shot, stalled and pancaked. Loading 75% gas contributed to that.
DoctorYo then took up a SpitV. I was already airborne and had some altitude, this time with 25% and a drop tank. When DoctorYo said he was ready, I began by using my altitude for a slashing attack. I just missed my shot, so I zoomed up, reversed and came in again. After a couple of runs at the Spit, I figured it was time to stay closer, but maintain my E advantage. The P-38G lacks the acceleration and pure climb of the P-38J. However, it still holds E very well and can convert vertically to retain the tactical edge.
DoctorYo turned away once he saw that there was no chance to follow the P-38 in the vertical. He offered his tail, I assume in the hope that I would overshoot or otherwise, blow my advantage. You will see that the P-38G reverses quickly and can maintain that advantage. Few aircraft can come over top tighter and cleaner than the P-38. This does require flap usage, and it also requires that you expect flap retraction when coming down. I just let the flaps blow up, rather than kill my E intentionally. At one point, I roll in behind the Spit and we enter a left-hand lufberry for two turns. We are flying along the slope of a steep hill, so one had to watch the ground carefully. I used the famous "clover-leaf" to gain angles on the Spitfire. Typically, you pull hard until the P-38 mushes out. You then ease off, gain a bit of speed and pull it in tight again. Each cycle got me closer to gaining enough lead for a shot. DoctorYo saw what was coming and reversed to the right. However, I continued to be aggressive and went for a nose-off shot, hosing the Spit from spinner to rudder. We continued to joust, with the P-38 getting around quicker than the Spit each time. Having already painted the Spitfire two or three times, I went for another rediculous shot. Split-s'ing at low altitude, I was able to smack the Spit's elevators. However, I was too low, could not recover and augered.
Later we flew several more duels. I managed to hit one of the phantom ridges that are virtually invisible until you bend both props.... DoctorYo got in some hits too. I took a P-38J and we could both see the performance difference between the G and J models as the J simply rules from on high. There's no comparison in the vertical.
I ran film and edited it down from an hour to the short film I have included here. I used this fight because it shows the P-38's strengths. When the Spitfire had the E advantage, it was far tougher to get gain position for a shot. Indeed, DoctorYo was able to paint my P-38 as least once while I wallowed around at 150 mph, trying to gain some speed and still avoid his attack. These fighters have their individual advantages and disadvantages. It really boils down to which aircraft has the advantage from the start. If one or the other starts the fight notably slower, it can get ugly fast. Co-E, Co-alt, I really believe that the pilot best able to exploit his aircraft's strengths will win the fight. Of course, the Spitfire is much easier to fly than the P-38, which requires constant flap manipulation as well as careful use of rudder and trim to keep it on the "edge". Therefore, I suggest you log a great deal of P-38 time before you try stall-fighting Spitfires with any expectation of survival, much less winning.
Film My regards,
Widewing
