P38 Opinions

[Fianna]

Originally posted by Gixer
38 is a great ride except for the fact that only the worst shots could miss hitting that wingspan.




...-Gixer

Just gotta know how to 'wiggle'.

[Platano]

i cant fly it if my life depended on it.. seems i cant fly anything after flying only 109's

[Tac]

Platano,

Disable the combat trim on the P-38. Most pilots moving into the 38 have troubles with it because the combat trim works against them in that airplane.


Disable the trim and learn to simply raise / lower the elevator trim when needed. Its not much and most of the times you are fine with the elevator at the center position. Aleirons never need trimming.

[moot]

Thank god for nose guns, fowler flaps and counter-rotating engines...

[Anaxogoras]

I started fly the 38 a lot just because of this thread, and I'm surprised that I like it.  The gun package is phenomenal.  I prefer it to any wing mounted cannons (i'm a lousy shot).  It has good fuel range and a respectable top speed.  I've come home with only one engine many times now.

Obviously, it's a good e-fighter, but it's not going to dominate in any particular category except deflection shooting.  That gun sight is very high above the nose, so you can really put your instantaneous turn rate to use.

If you haven't done it yet, I suggest moving your cockpit view back to reduce the size of the canopy obstructions.

[moot]

The 38s will also excel at low speed maneuvers where other planes wobble all over, e.g. in the vertical.

[clerick]

Originally posted by Anaxogoras
...I've come home with only one engine many times now.

Sounds like you are almost ready for S.A.P.P.  Just a couple of things to work on:

1) Coming home with only 1 wing
2) Coming home with only 1 vertical stabilizer
3) Coming home with only 1 flap
4) Coming home with only 1 aileron
5) Coming home with only 1... well you get the picture. Thank god for spare parts.

[Spikes]

38G here.

[Raptor]

The Final SAPP test:
Landing a P38 with 1 wing, 1 flap, no ailerons, 1 rudder and one elevator.... on a CV

[clerick]

Originally posted by Raptor
The Final SAPP test:
Landing a P38 with 1 wing, 1 flap, no ailerons, 1 rudder and one elevator.... on a CV

Except for the missing wing, i have done that.

[Raptor]

I have done it... with a pilot wound too. blacked out about 100ft from deck so I just hoped for the best and landed it, Corkyjr style.

[Anaxogoras]

Say, one more thing about the 38... She can spin!  I had turned the tables on a 51 today that dove on my 6 as I was heading home, and then fell into a ridiculous spin when I tried to pull a deflection shot--> DEAD.   Wow, definitely something to be careful of.  I haven't found any other aircraft in AH to spin like the 38.

[SD67]

Yeah, that was the tactic we use to get away from the 38's when we fly axis against them in the FSO's.
Dive and spin, spin, spin, the 38's don't do that so well.

[DoNKeY]

I find that the 38 loops very very nicely.  Now, if I can just get the amount of lead down, lots of unsuspecting planes will fall before my J... hehehe.

[alskahawk]

I like hunting low 38s. Just not many around. Seems everytime a new guy trys one some well meaning busybody has to tell him how not to die.