"Not Flying A P-38 Right"

[Bark0]

the 38 is an awesome plane. It climbs like A balloon, has Great firepower and is a Great dive bomber.

But sadly I am "Not flying it right"

So how do I "Fly it right" so It can Be even better for me?

I understand that there may be different Opinions in this topic

  1st. Lt Barko Edwards

[BroncoSquid]

I too like the P-38, and I can't fly it either. But try search, (put p38 in search window) or just page through this (help and training) forum there are a ton of threads on it.

<S> 100Squid

[humble]

The 38 is a very pilot dependent plane, while its overall performance envelope is good its exploitable by most planes in the set. The flip side is that the 38 can exploit some aspect of the flight envelope for most planes it meets. However learning those aspects of the game takes time. I am far from an expert in the 38 but I'll give you the following thoughts I use as I continue to learn the plane...

1) When in doubt take the fight up

The 38 has excellent performance in the vertical, obviously anytime you go up you risk being a hanging curve ball...but up works more often then down IMO

2) When in doubt turn right

The 38 doesn't have the torque issues most planes have. Since most planes "pull" to the left going right is tougher at lower speeds. Combining both 1 & 2 is often a winning combination in the 38

3) Never ever "flat turn" a 38 more then 180 degree's. The 38 doesn't have the best pure turn and normally either a bit of nose up or nose down aspect works wonders. The 38 should be flown in the vertical as much as possible. If we view a "flat" fight as this[ - ] and a "looping fight as this [ I ] then we ideally want this [ X ].

4 Use the force

The 38 has tremendous rudder authority, this allows you to swing the nose thru a huge arc. With the nose come the guns...all of them. I can hit some ungodly FQ shots by stomping the rudder and popping off a few rounds. Do not confuse this with a Head On, in a dog fight both sides have to respect the "gun cone" of an opposing fighter. A true front quarter shot (or the threat of one) can influence a fight dramatically by forcing a bogy off of his ideal line. Do not chase shots that arent there or give up good position/E for a marginal shot, but realize that this is a strength of the 38

5) Flaps/rudder/throttle

The 38 needs to use them a lot....all of them. Get used to the following three things...

1) every turn starts with rudder
2) nose down turn normally off gas and 1/2 notchs of flaps
3) nose up turn on gas and clean or 1 notch flaps

You can use proper positioning to eliminate alot of the above (I know Murdr doesnt ever like to come of the gas if he can avoid it) but to me its essential to learn to use the above...

6) Lag pursuit

Basically having the nose pointed behind the con. The 38 is at heart an E fighter, if you pull lead to often and to soon you give up your greatest strength. By learning to use low/high yoyo's and lag pursuit (con in front up view) in combination with out of plane Maneuvering {thats the "X" we want to fly when he is either "-" or "I"} and using the 38's "power turret" {rudder induced yaw} you learn to stalk your target as much as fight him...

Again just 1 persons perspective and as always your milage may vary

[gpwurzel]

Define right? Whats the right way to fly is how you get the most fun out of it imo.

Wanna turn n burn with it - see Guppy 35 (just dont expect to come back, or with all your plane parts if you do  )

Wanna keep it fast, work the angles, see a whole host of trainers, 38 pilots who are excellent with it - one will be along shortly.


Wurzel

[BroncoSquid]

Well, for me, "Right" is not stalling the plane, puting it into a spin and crashing as soon as the first tracer zips past my head. Giving the kill to some random numbers guy.

[gpwurzel]

 


Been there, done that - sorry, wasnt being cranky - just curious as to what right meant is all


Wurzel

[Bark0]

ty all for the info so far. I do have some questions

1) Any Particular gun sights for it besides the Gunstar?
2) What is the Difference between the G J And L Besides the Dive flaps, ords and Glass?
3) How do I contact S.A.P.P?
4) Can you bail out of it in Real life without Hurting yourself?

Again Ty for the info so far

[The Fugitive]

ty all for the info so far. I do have some questions

1) Any Particular gun sights for it besides the Gunstar?

Which ever one your comfortable with.

2) What is the Difference between the G J And L Besides the Dive flaps, ords and Glass?

G is the most nimble....if you want to call a 38 nimble     J is the all around best, does fighting and divebombing well.  L seems to fly a bit heavier than the J, but is better for divebombing with the dive flaps.

3) How do I contact S.A.P.P?

We are VERY hard to find. Enter the Enchanted forest, turn right at the forth oak tree, walk 100 paces, stop and turn in place 3 times muttering "the 38 is leet", look to the right of the elm and leave a message under the pile of stones you find there...... Someone will contact you.

4) Can you bail out of it in Real life without Hurting yourself?

Again Ty for the info so far

you have as good a chance as in any other plane.

[Bark0]

We are VERY hard to find. Enter the Enchanted forest, turn right at the forth oak tree, walk 100 paces, stop and turn in place 3 times muttering "the 38 is leet", look to the right of the elm and leave a message under the pile of stones you find there...... Someone will contact you.

PM me a map?
 

[Tordon22]

I second Snaphook's entire post. Except I'm a bit heavier on the flaps....I'm going to have to talk with him about that .

-Zap

SAPP is bad

[Ack-Ack]

Snaphook explained it prettygood and is a good foundation to start on with the P-38.  Keep in mind that the P-38 is not a beginner's plane and you'll save yourself a lot of frustration in learning how to fly in one of the more forgiving planes.  Once you've got the hang of the game and the flight model then transition to the Lightning.


ack-ack

[humble]

I second Snaphook's entire post. Except I'm a bit heavier on the flaps....I'm going to have to talk with him about that .

-Zap

SAPP is bad

Zap

I don't really know where flaps go from good to bad. I feel like once I get forced to dirty the plane up completely I'm at the point that I'm looking for some "pilot stuff" and therefor already "screwed the pooch" so to speak. As it relates to learning the 38 my thoughts were along the lines of the things you need to learn vs when/how to make the thing shine. To me the 38 requires a better understanding of lift vector management then any plane in the game. All the items lifted relate directly to that in some regard.

To reach a point that you really understand that at "point X" you need to be 30 degree's out of plane (above) and 20 degree lag pursuit but that your then going to invert and move your lift vector to 40 degree lead (ahead) to drive the elbow if the bogey does "A" or going  continue into a climbing right hand chandel if bogey does "B"...and that its all different if the bogey is in a different ride is tough.

I think thats what really makes the spitty, lala, hurricane so appealing, all you need is a little sign that says "if you see bogey do X". Basically you fly the same fight to a large degree. With the 38 its not only plane dependent, but pilot dependent as well....

[CAP1]

I too like the P-38, and I can't fly it either. But try search, (put p38 in search window) or just page through this (help and training) forum there are a ton of threads on it.

<S> 100Squid

I LOVE IT, don't feel as if i fly it all that well, although i've been told i fly it fairly well.

best advice....first and foremost....be a stubborn bastage. don't fly anything else, regardless of how your ego feels.

 then take a few hops in the training arena. those are the two most important things you can do to improve in her.

good luck, and welcome to the madness sir!

[CAP1]

The 38 is a very pilot dependent plane, while its overall performance envelope is good its exploitable by most planes in the set. The flip side is that the 38 can exploit some aspect of the flight envelope for most planes it meets. However learning those aspects of the game takes time. I am far from an expert in the 38 but I'll give you the following thoughts I use as I continue to learn the plane...

1) When in doubt take the fight up

The 38 has excellent performance in the vertical, obviously anytime you go up you risk being a hanging curve ball...but up works more often then down IMO

2) When in doubt turn right

The 38 doesn't have the torque issues most planes have. Since most planes "pull" to the left going right is tougher at lower speeds. Combining both 1 & 2 is often a winning combination in the 38

3) Never ever "flat turn" a 38 more then 180 degree's. The 38 doesn't have the best pure turn and normally either a bit of nose up or nose down aspect works wonders. The 38 should be flown in the vertical as much as possible. If we view a "flat" fight as this[ - ] and a "looping fight as this [ I ] then we ideally want this [ X ].

4 Use the force

The 38 has tremendous rudder authority, this allows you to swing the nose thru a huge arc. With the nose come the guns...all of them. I can hit some ungodly FQ shots by stomping the rudder and popping off a few rounds. Do not confuse this with a Head On, in a dog fight both sides have to respect the "gun cone" of an opposing fighter. A true front quarter shot (or the threat of one) can influence a fight dramatically by forcing a bogy off of his ideal line. Do not chase shots that arent there or give up good position/E for a marginal shot, but realize that this is a strength of the 38this is a mistake i seem to make often.....i did it against you in mw a few weeks ago, in your a20. i landed what looked like a few nice rounds in your right wing, but i think that shot ultimately cost me the fight.

5) Flaps/rudder/throttle

The 38 needs to use them a lot....all of them. Get used to the following three things...

1) every turn starts with rudder
2) nose down turn normally off gas and 1/2 notchs of flaps
3) nose up turn on gas and clean or 1 notch flaps

You can use proper positioning to eliminate alot of the above (I know Murdr doesnt ever like to come of the gas if he can avoid it) but to me its essential to learn to use the above...

6) Lag pursuit

Basically having the nose pointed behind the con. The 38 is at heart an E fighter, if you pull lead to often and to soon you give up your greatest strength. By learning to use low/high yoyo's and lag pursuit (con in front up view) in combination with out of plane Maneuvering {thats the "X" we want to fly when he is either "-" or "I"} and using the 38's "power turret" {rudder induced yaw} you learn to stalk your target as much as fight him...

Again just 1 persons perspective and as always your milage may vary

[CAP1]

Zap

I don't really know where flaps go from good to bad. I feel like once I get forced to dirty the plane up completely I'm at the point that I'm looking for some "pilot stuff" and therefor already "screwed the pooch" so to speak. As it relates to learning the 38 my thoughts were along the lines of the things you need to learn vs when/how to make the thing shine. To me the 38 requires a better understanding of lift vector management then any plane in the game. All the items lifted relate directly to that in some regard.

To reach a point that you really understand that at "point X" you need to be 30 degree's out of plane (above) and 20 degree lag pursuit but that your then going to invert and move your lift vector to 40 degree lead (ahead) to drive the elbow if the bogey does "A" or going  continue into a climbing right hand chandel if bogey does "B"...and that its all different if the bogey is in a different ride is tough.

I think thats what really makes the spitty, lala, hurricane so appealing, all you need is a little sign that says "if you see bogey do X". Basically you fly the same fight to a large degree. With the 38 its not only plane dependent, but pilot dependent as well....

i feel shes good to about 30 degrees. after that, they slow me down so much, i have trouble getting my speed back