P38 as V1 interceptor

[pinsog]

Were there any P38 kills of the V1 flying bombs? How fast was the P38 down on the deck? I think it would have done well since it was fast down on the deck, had concentrated armament, long legs for extended patrol times, and most of the historical engine problems should go away if used at lower altitudes. Thoughts?

 

[wuzak]

Maybe something in this thread

http://www.ww2aircraft.net/forum/aviation/v1-buzz-bomb-aces-40773.html

Or this

http://www.ww2aircraft.net/forum/aviation/flying-bombs-v-allied-fighters-29084.html

 

[OldSkeptic]

Not even in the same class as the Tempests, Mustangs and Spits actually used.

They did try a P-47M (hot rodded P-47D), but they never got it to work.

 

[Koopernic]

Were there any P38 kills of the V1 flying bombs? How fast was the P38 down on the deck? I think it would have done well since it was fast down on the deck, had concentrated armament, long legs for extended patrol times, and most of the historical engine problems should go away if used at lower altitudes. Thoughts?

The American turbosupercharged fighters: the P-38J/G or the P47D even with 100/150 octane fuel or ADI water injection just didn't seem to have been fast enough at sea level.

P-38 Performance Tests doesn't indicate that the P-38 could exceed 345mph at sea level, the P-47D wasn't any better. There was a more advanced version of the P-38 but it was not produced.

Neither of these fighters had laminar flow wings or the more modern aerodynamics seen in the Tempest or P-51, plus they were no doubt somewhat hamstrung by the weight and drag of the turbocharger assembly and its inter-cooler in the thickness of the low altitude air.

The technical solution was probably some kind of turbo compounding which would put the weight of the ducting and turbine to use even at low altitude.

The V1 was steadily improved so that by February 1945 V1's with speeds of 515mph were tested, this was obtained through relatively minor modifications to the fuel system. If they had of gotten into production only the guns would have been able to destroy them.

 

[fastmongrel]

If the V1s had got faster I can imagine the South East of England would have been wheel to wheel AAA guns and row upon row of Barrage balloons. There were even plans to put naval Bofors mounts onshore the watercooled twin and four barrel versions.

 

[rinkol]

Not only did the turbochargers make little or no contribution to low altitude power while involving increased bulk and weight, their presence also implied the loss of exhaust thrust.

 

[gjs238]

Wonder how F4U's would have fared.

 

[m37b1]

F2G might have been good, had it been available sooner.

 

[gjs238]

Or the F8F

 

[mhuxt]

The book "Diver! Diver! Diver!" lists all V-1 claims, there's none for P-38s. P-47s seem to be the most prolific of the USAAF fighters, with about 15 kills claimed.

 

[Koopernic]

The book "Diver! Diver! Diver!" lists all V-1 claims, there's none for P-38s. P-47s seem to be the most prolific of the USAAF fighters, with about 15 kills claimed.

Does it say whether it was the P-47M or the P-47D? Neither was in the same class as the Tempest V or P-51 at sea level.

 

[mhuxt]

Does it say whether it was the P-47M or the P-47D? Neither was in the same class as the Tempest V or P-51 at sea level.

Not directly, but the units were 377th FS, 412th FS, 365th FS, 22nd FS, 512th FS, 513th FS, 514th FS, 367th FS and 5 ERS, if that helps.

Bear in mind the P-61 got 10 by night, not exactly a raging hotrod.

 

[michaelmaltby]

"....not exactly a raging hotrod"

But heavy firepower.

 

[mhuxt]

Sure enough, but the discussion got started off on USAAF speed so...

 

[m37b1]

Off topic, but does anyone know if the claim of a B-24 waist gunner shooting down a V-2 on launch has any validity?

 

[airminded88]

Off topic, but does anyone know if the claim of a B-24 waist gunner shooting down a V-2 on launch has any validity?

That's a fascinating account if it ever happened. Looking forward for an answer to that one.

 

[wuzak]

Does it say whether it was the P-47M or the P-47D? Neither was in the same class as the Tempest V or P-51 at sea level.

I wouldn't think the -M was available in time to counter the V1.

 

[FLYBOYJ]

Off topic, but does anyone know if the claim of a B-24 waist gunner shooting down a V-2 on launch has any validity?

With all due respect, this is the most off topic post in the history of this forum!!!!

 

[m37b1]

No respect due. . . .


But is it really THAT far off topic?

 

[FLYBOYJ]

Let's see -

"P38 as V1 interceptor"

"B-24 waist gunner shooting down a V-2 on launch"