Shortround6
Major General
With a similar load the non- turbo plane is going to have a bit longer field length.Between 900 and 3120 ft, depending on the head wind, elevation, type of material for the runaway, and temperature.
Without the turbos the plane will be a little lighter to help balance that out.
It would quite useful, just not as useful as a P-38.I get your points.
My point is that engines from the P-40 will still make the non-turbo P-38 a very useful aircraft.
However if the turbos are not the problem why build it?
Even if it does 90% of what you want (mission types) the cost of manufacturing is going to be much closer, the cost of pilot and ground crew training is going to be nearly the same, the cost of shipping (they didn't fly that many P-38s to Europe let alone anywhere else) is going to be the same. The logistics tail is going to be with a few percent but you don't get the return on the investment with results, different missions.
And on the flip side, What will the SoB (Short of Breath) P-38 do that two P-40s won't do?
Granted they would have more range.