Tips on the P-38L

[Coolguy0730]

Im thinking of using it in the MAs, I tryed it in the TA and I like it! Any tips or tricks?

[DaveJ]

Im thinking of using it in the MAs, I tryed it in the TA and I like it! Any tips or tricks?

Fight in the vertical.

Keep your speed up.

Pop your dive flaps in any extended dive.

Full elevator trim up in any turn fight, though you can say this about any plane.

Use flaps liberally if you get into a turnfight, but don't be stupid trying to turnfight Zekes and Hurris..etc.

Be prepared to be shot down alot. 


There are alot better people to comment on this than me. I'd advise you look up Murdr or AKAK about flying the 38.

[Motherland]

I found that using the backup engine in a fight helps a lot in my time in it in the DA.

[Ack-Ack]

Full elevator trim up in any turn fight, though you can say this about any plane.

That is the worst advice you can give anyone.


ack-ack

[DaveJ]

That is the worst advice you can give anyone.


ack-ack

Err, why? Please elaborate..

If you are in a slow turnfight I see nothing wrong with using elev. trim for a bit of advantage.
 

[Soulyss]

Err, why? Please elaborate..

If you are in a slow turnfight I see nothing wrong with using elev. trim for a bit of advantage.
 

You can do it, but it won't confer any sort of advantage.  Trimming will not allow you to pull a tighter turn than full deflection on the elevator.  Murdr explained it best to me awhile ago, don't recall the technical details but the results are the same, trimming will not allow you to turn any tighter than stick input alone.

[Messiah]

Full elevator trim = nightmare for gunnery, keep it neutral. 

[Guppy35]

Best advice i can give.  Fly the 38G! 

[Hoarach]

Best advice i can give.  Fly the 38G! 

Dont listen to what he says...the 38L is so much sexier.....

[Delirium]

Here are some tips for you;

1. Don't be afraid to get aggressive, timidness will only make the long climb to proficiency even steeper. Take your licks and learn from them.

2. Even if you think the other guy has you for sure, roll the 38 and always show the flat side (ie from the 3 or 9 o'clock), you'd be amazed how often people miss.

3. Stall limiter OFF.

4. Use the rudder to increase the roll rate of the P38.

5. Put convergence way out, not that convergence matters much in a p38, but it will throw the lead a little higher which means you can pull slightly less to score hits. Its a very small fraction, but advantages are always desired.

6. Don't be afraid of the flaps.

7. Learn how to cross control.

[DaveJ]

You can do it, but it won't confer any sort of advantage.  Trimming will not allow you to pull a tighter turn than full deflection on the elevator.  Murdr explained it best to me awhile ago, don't recall the technical details but the results are the same, trimming will not allow you to turn any tighter than stick input alone.

Hmm, alright. I always thought it helped you pull a tighter turn radius.

[Coolguy0730]

Here are some tips for you;

1. Don't be afraid to get aggressive, timidness will only make the long climb to proficiency even steeper. Take your licks and learn from them.

2. Even if you think the other guy has you for sure, roll the 38 and always show the flat side (ie from the 3 or 9 o'clock), you'd be amazed how often people miss.

3. Stall limiter OFF.

4. Use the rudder to increase the roll rate of the P38.

5. Put convergence way out, not that convergence matters much in a p38, but it will throw the lead a little higher which means you can pull slightly less to score hits. Its a very small fraction, but advantages are always desired.

6. Don't be afraid of the flaps.

7. Learn how to cross control.

Oh I forgot about the stall limiter! Thanks!! 

[Kweassa]

Hmm, alright. I always thought it helped you pull a tighter turn radius.

 It doesn't. Trim tabs are merely a tool of convenience, and does not effect the plane in terms of pure performance.

 The only instances where trim would ever effect turning radius, is if the plane is travelling too fast to reach its ideal turn performance - and even that, with a price. Using the trim to turn a plane sharply while travelling at such speeds is not only stressful for the airframe, but also hazardous to the pilot in that he is just asking for a blackout.

[Anaxogoras]

One word of caution:  I learned it's possible to put the 38 into a nasty flat spin if the flaps go up in a high g turn.  It only happened once, but I learned my lesson.

[DaveJ]

Then can someone explain to ME why I just shouldn't leave combat trim on the entire time in a fight? I keep hearing about how no one uses it and prefers to trim their own plane, but apparently I'm doing it entirely wrong.