Yeah, I thought it was just me!
I flew the 38 for a few sorties today. I'd say it was 4 out of 5 sorties where I had to land it with a pilot wound. I know it was my own stupidity to get shot up but it was just odd that they were mostly PWs. I mean, I went in and attacked a formation of Lancs from above - got my underbelly shot at(No more than a few scratches at this point) and as I pass through the box the only damage I took was to the pilot. Strange strange strange.
Although, I still like flying it -- I guess I'll have to bring some body armor next time. 
That is what I'm seeing. It seems like I get an instant PW with very little damage elsewhere. Compared to my beloved F6F and F4F that gets shot all to pieces....I fly them home streaming oil, fuel, guns shot out, rudder shot off, 1/2 wing missing and no landing gear with 50 holes in the remaining parts and NO PW. You cannot convince me that the '38 was THAT much weaker in RL. I know Grumman made a helluva airplane back then, but Lockheed was no noob to the industry. The plane's record speaks for itself. It was not known as a deathtrap.
I'm not that concerned about the lack of an engine in front to protect me, because that only comes into play during a HO situation, which will get you shot in the FACE no matter what you fly. It's the rear and deflection shots. In which case the 38 seems to have comparable armor like the other acft have. Having a tail section behind the cockpit is only a layer of aluminum....not much for stopping bullets (look at the number of casualties inside bombers).....its the armor that matters. The 38 has comparable armor, so why all the PWs? I believe it's time to look at the damage model IMO.
The P-38 is a wonderful airplane that can an has served many roles. Not many planes can carry that much ordinance along with the capability to fight its way out of a mess. The extra engine has saved many souls as well. It's Achilles' heel in this game is it's fragile cockpit. I think it needs evaluating.
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