Is Spitfire really the BEST British fighter???

[FLYBOYJ]

As I mentioned earlier, you had to be a good pilot to fly a P-38. If you were a good pilot and flew a P-51, you became a great pilot. The great pilots who flew P-38s did phenomenal things with this airplane, like turn inside a Zero or any other Japanese aircraft. As Plan D stated however, the pilots who could do this were far and few between!

I think if P-38 stateside training would have emphasized more, the idiosyncrasies of this aircraft, courses on how to manage its fuel system for maximum range (as taught by Charles Lindbergh during his Pacific tour) and how to maximize the P-38 firepower, you would of seen this aircraft emerge operationally superior, in many cases to the P-51, especially if the L models would have entered service earlier!

 

[DerAdlerIstGelandet]

I agree with you on the comarison to the P-51. I personally think the P-38 could have been the best allied fighter.

 

[the lancaster kicks ass]

i think your taking it a bit too far........

 

[FLYBOYJ]

i think your taking it a bit too far........

Remember Lanc, he said "could of been."

 

[the lancaster kicks ass]

fair enough.........

 

[FLYBOYJ]

fair enough.........

"But if they only put Merlins in that thing."

 

[cheddar cheese]

Actually I believe tests with the Merlins we done (on paper). There were no significant improvemnts so they stuck with the Good 'ol Alliscon

 

[evangilder]

I think it was said that to put Merlins in a P-38 would have been difficult because it would have required structural changes.

 

[FLYBOYJ]

Actually I believe tests with the Merlins we done (on paper). There were no significant improvemnts so they stuck with the Good 'ol Alliscon

I know, still would of like to of known the actual results!

I think it was said that to put Merlins in a P-38 would have been difficult because it would have required structural changes.

BIG changes! - I wonder if modified, would the back pistons on the merlins would have had the heating problems like the Allisons?

 

[cheddar cheese]

P-38 with Griffon engines... Would liked to have seen that!

 

[FLYBOYJ]

P-38 with Griffon engines... Would liked to have seen that!

Now that's a thought!

 

[cheddar cheese]

Or even a couple of R-2800's

 

[FLYBOYJ]

Or even a couple of R-2800's

Now that ridiculous

 

[evangilder]

I think radials in a P-38 would have made for a great ground attack airplane though.

 

[cheddar cheese]

Sure would - The XP-58 was cancelled because of its engine problems, stick in a couple of Radials and problem solved!

 

[FLYBOYJ]

I think radials in a P-38 would have made for a great ground attack airplane though.

I think it would of looked a little funny!

 

[evangilder]

I think radials in a P-38 would have made for a great ground attack airplane though.

I think it would of looked a little funny!

You're probably right, but think of the sound! 8)

 

[cheddar cheese]

Well, do you think the P-61 looks funny? The two would have looked similar, barring the notable size of nacelle.

 

[FLYBOYJ]

I think radials in a P-38 would have made for a great ground attack airplane though.

 

[the lancaster kicks ass]

if they're too the same scale that thing's huge!!