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The main reason for the switch was due the old coolers in the wing leading edges being able to support less HP than the Allison engine could produce. They could only support 1050 HP before the temps started rising. After that, it was only a matter of time and temp. before you were hosed ...
No way. The P-38F was the first combat-ready P-38, and it was very definitely a production machine.
Sorry, I said "Oill Coolers," and was thinking "Intercoolers." Duuhhhh .... the Intercoolers would only support 1050 HP and you were and ARE correct on oil coolers. The oil coolers are the same on the P-38, P-39, P-40, and P-40. There are two circular cross section coolers with hexagonal honeycomb fins. The center intake on the F was the carburetor intake.
Gotta' READ this stuff before I post it!
The P-38J moved the INTERTCOOLER from wing leading edge to chin intake. If I am not mistaken (never!), there is still ONE P-38 flying with operational turbochargers (I have heard that, along with ONE P-47 with one working). The rest have configured the outside intakes of the J and L to be oil cooler intakes, the center intake to be carburetor air, and have blocked off the original carb intake down alongside the trailing edges of the wing.
This picture doesn't prove anything one way or another since it is of a plane in 1947 but I thought it interesting anyway.
Modified P-38J. Note exhaust pipe.
I found this just after the first posting i did... LOL I sort of guessed part of the reason air racers didn't use the P-38 is two engines is a lot of extra work for privateers, even the USG seemed happier to make cheaper Mustangs in the end, i guess even the monster Tbolt is much cheaper to build.
Just a guess, but my first thought would be that the controls would have no effect at those speeds....thus the creation of the "flying tail", which I believe was pioneered on the Bell X-1.I read that the P-38 had a recommended dive limit of 420mph, then if you see that even the last P38-J only had a speed of 414 mph.
Was there some airframe 'compressibility' problem that prevented the P-38L going 420mph even with 3,200hp WEP! It certainly looks bad against the last P-47N and P-51H that are up around 460-490mph. maybe thats why you never see P-38 in air racing.
... I am under the distinct impression the turbochargers are still disabled, but don't know for sure. They might be functional. Lefty flew it both ways, according to people who knew him well, but I never asked whether or not the turbos were working when Lefty quit flying it. In any case, the two openings at the bottom of the cowling each feed oil coolers. ...
Just a guess, but my first thought would be that the controls would have no effect at those speeds....thus the creation of the "flying tail", which I believe was pioneered on the Bell X-1.