FLYBOYJ
"THE GREAT GAZOO"
Agree to a point but as stated folks like Tony Levier showed that the aircraft indeed could be handled at the most extreme conditions with one engine out if the pilot knew what he was doing.I think the problem we have here is the fact that there are no other aircraft (that I am aware of) that have two outward turning engines as the P-38 does.
In most aircraft the engines all turn either clockwise or counter-clockwise; some aircraft have counter-rotating engines that make things easier for the pilot to handle in the case of an engine failure (inward turning). The "critical engine" definition becomes quite easy.
The P-38 is unique (I believe) in that in the case of failure with either engine you have a serious control issue, particularly at lower airspeeds. The fact that the control problems are similar no matter which fails doesn't change that fact. The reduction in power tends to reinforce the point that there isn't enough stabilizer or rudder to overcome the asymmetric thrust the engines can develop. That alone could make either engine critical.
That's correct so with that said does the definition of a critical engine in FAR 1 apply? Again I vew it as having the glass "half full or half empty."You have mentioned specific wording in the FAR's as relevant, I would suggest that hanging your hat on that particular hook doesn't cut it because in regulations as well as any other documents every specific instance or aircraft will not be called out, you have to remember you own words, " The P-38 was not built under part 23.".