Ad: This forum contains affiliate links to products on Amazon and eBay. More information in Terms and rules
No comments about the P38's?
After all, they flew the longest fighter missions of the war.
The May 13, 1944 mission flown by 355th FG was 1490 miles to Schloppe Poland and back. I thinkthe 38's flew one just over 1500 miles.
Actually my father's longest (seat time) missions were in order D-Day 7:50 Area Patrol, 8:00 on Area Patrol in Evereaux area on June 8 and 7:50 to Piryatin, Russia on 18 september.DAMN!! Sore arse after those missions, eh?
The P38's were flying from Middleburg Island (Sansapor) to Balikpapin in Borneo and Morotai to Balikpapin.
I believe there were some missions from Biak to Balikpapin but not sure.
Some were for bomber escort, others for fighter sweeps.
The Max range would probably have been a Fighter Sweep to enable strict cruise pretty much to target with ferry tanks - would be my guess. Having to "S" over B-24's would have absorbed a lot of range potential.
Thanks,
Bill
How much did they improve the range of the P-38's after Lindberghs visit?
At this years Chino Airshow, I talked to a 5th BG pilot, and he said that on a several of his long range missions (over 1000 miles) they had fighter escort over the target which was Balipapin or Tarakan.
And it still doesn't matter what plane you're using to have direct overhead escort.
Both used pretty much the same amount of fuel per hour.
I have a tendency to agree with you but I believe the consumption per hour for a 51 was less than the 38 with two allisons at cruise vs 1 PMerlin at cruise, I could be wrong. In any case for the 'overhead' escort they weren't making progress any faster than the B-24 they were covering while they were covering it.
Per pound of fuel carried the 51 went further than the 47 or the 38 - aeordynamics being the big factor.
Regards,
Bill