P-38 H

[uptown]

From what I understand the H model had the engines as the J but the same intercooler design as the G. The H also had a larger bomb capacity then than the G and the improved cannons of the J. Once they moved the the intercoolers to between the oil coolers as opposed to the leading edge of the wings, that birthed the J model giving it better performance then the H.

The differences IMO between the G & H or the H and J would be so subtle that it wouldn't warrant a good argument for adding it to the plane set. Now the F model I believe had less horsepower then the G and probably better stall characteristics and low level fighting capabilities then the G. I would guess that it'd be the better knife fighter of the lot , but would be harder to handle.

In all honesty though, I don't see them adding another 38 to the plane set as we already have the 3 main variants. The only 38 we don't have that would make the biggest impact is the K model, but that's not even an option as they only made 2 and those never seen any combat.

Now lets talk about the A36.......................... .  

[oakranger]

Explain to me what the H would do that the J doesn't?

More skins? 

I'm being to lazy to look up the specific changes between the G, H and J.

Enlighten and educate me.


wrongway

It would be another P-38 that the P-47 ppl have to shot down.        

[Tyrannis]

can anyone post a pic of the K by chance?

and what made that model so special? ive never even heard of it.

[321BAR]

can anyone post a pic of the K by chance?

and what made that model so special? ive never even heard of it.

make the allisons into merlins. (merlin 66s correct?) and you basically know why it was good.

[Ack-Ack]

can anyone post a pic of the K by chance?

and what made that model so special? ive never even heard of it.

The "P-38K" was nothing more than a modified P-38E test mule.



ack-ack

[Ack-Ack]

The differences IMO between the G & H or the H and J would be so subtle that it wouldn't warrant a good argument for adding it to the plane set.

The difference between the H and the J isn't so subtle.  Even though the H and J shared the same engine, the new inter-cooler used on the J allowed for a substantial increase in rated power in addition to increased fuel load capacity.  The J could fly faster and further than the H.

ack-ack

[321BAR]

The "P-38K" was nothing more than a modified P-38E test mule.

(Image removed from quote.)

ack-ack

then which was the merlin P38 test plane if it wasnt the K?

[Ack-Ack]

then which was the merlin P38 test plane if it wasnt the K?

The "Merlin P-38" is nothing more than a myth.  While there had been some discussions about the possibility of testing out the Merlin on a P-38, it never progressed past this "discussion" phase and not one single P-38 was ever fitted with a Merlin engine.

ack-ack

[uptown]

The paddle props on the K was the big difference. Also I believe the 2nd K model had a 4 blade prop design. Not real sure though as I've never seen any pics of it.

[Tyrannis]

The "Merlin P-38" is nothing more than a myth.  While there had been some discussions about the possibility of testing out the Merlin on a P-38, it never progressed past this "discussion" phase and not one single P-38 was ever fitted with a Merlin engine.

ack-ack

theres usually some truth behind every myth.

i can possably see a british p38 driver "modifying" his p38 with 2 merlin engines, then it slowly starting to catch on before the top brass decides to test one out to see if they want to put it in "official" production.

[Guppy35]

theres usually some truth behind every myth.

i can possably see a british p38 driver "modifying" his p38 with 2 merlin engines, then it slowly starting to catch on before the top brass decides to test one out to see if they want to put it in "official" production.

Not quite that simple of a mod

Of course the RAF rejected the 38 they were given, which had been 'castrated' anyway

[Ack-Ack]

theres usually some truth behind every myth.

i can possably see a british p38 driver "modifying" his p38 with 2 merlin engines, then it slowly starting to catch on before the top brass decides to test one out to see if they want to put it in "official" production.

To put Merlin engines on a P-38 would have required substantial redesigning of the nacelles.  Also, the British didn't operate any P-38s other than the Model 322B, that was ultimately rejected (a.k.a. the castrated P-38) so any thought of a British P-38 pilot slapping in a couple of Merlins is well, a fantasy.

Repeat after me...There was no Merlin engine P-38 ever built or flown.

ack-ack

[AWwrgwy]

http://www.456fis.org/P-38K.htm

Lockheed paid close attention to the performance gains achieved with the P-47 when the new "high activity" Hamilton Standard propellers where first fitted on a Republic P-47C in mid 1942 (later, in mid 1943, these propellers were retro-fitted in Britain). The new "paddle" blade prop had significantly increased the rate of climb and acceleration of the "Jug". Lockheed decided that they would install the Hamilton Standard hydraulic propellers on one of the factory test "mules". Thus, was the XP-38K born. The "mule" was an extensively modified P-38E. The original intercoolers were replaced with the newer type introduced on the J model. The initial test results were very encouraging and a P-38G service test airframe (422-81, AFF serial number 42-13558) was selected to be modified.

The new propellers were not the only design changes made in the search for greater performance. This airframe was configured for the Allison V1710F-15 powerplants which were rated at over 1,875 bhp in War Emergency Power (as compared to 1,725 bhp for the V1710F-17 in the P-38L). This was the only P-38 so configured. The potent combination of the engine/propeller promised excellent performance.

There were still other modifications that were necessary. The Hamilton Standard props required a spinner of greater diameter, and the thrust line was slightly higher as well. This in turn, required that new cowlings be manufactured to properly blend the spinners into the engine nacelles. These were hand made and the fit was less than perfect. The new propellers necessitated a change to the reduction gear ratio. The Curtiss Electric props had a normal ratio of 2.00 to 1. The ratio was changed to 2.36 to 1.

Back to the H....

Essentially there is no reason to add it as it doesn't really fill any gaps between the G and the J?


wrongway

[Ack-Ack]

The paddle props on the K was the big difference. Also I believe the 2nd K model had a 4 blade prop design. Not real sure though as I've never seen any pics of it.

I only think there was one "P-38K" which was the heavily modified P-38E that I had posted.  In any event, it was a 3 bladed prop from Hamilton.  



ack-ack

[uptown]

Finding any kind of real info on the 38K is near impossible as I don't have the resourses that some of you have. But the F has really peaked my interest. Am I correct in assuming that it would turn better than the G? Maybe slightly lighter too? A low speed, duel prop, stall fighter would be the cats meow