What good are P-38s (the airplane, not the can opener, or pistol)?

[usersatch]

Im playing the Downfall scenario...and I can't get my Lightnings to perform respectably for either escort or CAP missions (respectably = anything better than a 1:1 kill ratio). My other aircraft types on those mission types do just fine (I usually run my P-51, P-47, and F-6 CAPs at 17k feet and generally get 2 or 3:1 kill ratios). Is there a trick to using them or should I just ground them and wait to upgrade to P-51s?

[jay102]

I think P38 is only suitable for sweeper's role. It has speed and altitude edge but the low climb rate and maintainace difficulty hamper their effectiveness in CAP mission. It is well said that in AE any airframe performing escorts simply turns into flying barn with a cow in the cockpit. The escort penalty is so harsh that airframes become irrelative.

[dr.hal]

Are they not somewhat outdated by the time these other aircraft come online?

[Lokasenna]

Yeah, it's a sweeper with its huge altitude advantage.


Also, P-38 can opener? That's new to me.

[geofflambert]

ORIGINAL: jay102

I think P38 is only suitable for sweeper's role. It has speed and altitude edge but the low climb rate and maintainace difficulty hamper their effectiveness in CAP mission. It is well said that in AE any airframe performing escorts simply turns into flying barn with a cow in the cockpit. The escort penalty is so harsh that airframes become irrelative.

I have some irrelatives I don't have contact with so they are irrelevant.

[offenseman]

Yep a sweeper and a can opener for C-Rations.

[rustysi]

ORIGINAL: offenseman

Yep a sweeper and a can opener for C-Rations.

Yup, C-rations, yum.[:D]

[jcjordan]

ORIGINAL: Lokasenna

Yeah, it's a sweeper with its huge altitude advantage.


Also, P-38 can opener? That's new to me.

Not to mention a German Pistol too

[usersatch]

Good point...duly noted!

ORIGINAL: jcjordan

ORIGINAL: Lokasenna

Yeah, it's a sweeper with its huge altitude advantage.


Also, P-38 can opener? That's new to me.

Not to mention a German Pistol too

[Feltan]

I had a P-38 (can opener) on my dog tag chain for years. One of the invaluable tools of the old line. The MRE's of today just destroy the romance.

No more C-rations,

or Jeeps,

or M1911 .45 side arms.

The world has gone to hell!

Regards,
Feltan

[geofflambert]

ORIGINAL: Feltan

I had a P-38 (can opener) on my dog tag chain for years. One of the invaluable tools of the old line. The MRE's of today just destroy the romance.

No more C-rations,

or Jeeps,

or M1911 .45 side arms.

The world has gone to hell!

Regards,
Feltan

You can still get those, can't you? I've been thinking if I ever broke down and got a self defense weapon, that would be it (along with a pump action shotgun). I know it doesn't have the penetration power of a .357 magnum, but I don't want my bullets to go clean through the bad guy and hit some innocent bystanders. [X(]

[jcjordan]

Yes you can still get 1911 style pistols in the civilian world but I think he was talking more in military role. In that they've been replaced by Beretta M92 though I'm sure some officers carry a 45 as a 2nd weapon in cases


A p38 (can opener) isn't a bad thing to have in a bug out kit either (just went through bad winter storm here)

[rustysi]

I had a P-38 (can opener) on my dog tag chain for years

Mine is still there IIRC, now if I can only find my dog tags.

[decaro]

ORIGINAL: geofflambert

ORIGINAL: jay102

I think P38 is only suitable for sweeper's role. It has speed and altitude edge but the low climb rate and maintainace difficulty hamper their effectiveness in CAP mission. It is well said that in AE any airframe performing escorts simply turns into flying barn with a cow in the cockpit. The escort penalty is so harsh that airframes become irrelative.

I have some irrelatives I don't have contact with so they are irrelevant.

When you were eavesdropping on the Earth outpost on Cestus III, when it came to grammar, you were really paying attention to detail.

[LargeSlowTarget]

I just notice the sig "Meine Ehre heißt Treue" and the avatar pic of usersatch for the first time.

I am sure you know that "Meine Ehre heißt Treue" is the motto of the German Nazi-SS - a gang of murderers with more than questionable ideology.

The avatar pic is the symbol of the 2. SS-Panzer-Division "Das Reich".

Although this is a "history" forum and it might be legal at your place to use Nazi mottos and symbols (in my country you could be jailed), I find this decidedly out of place and very poor taste - to stay polite.

[LoBaron]

ORIGINAL: LargeSlowTarget

I just notice the sig "Meine Ehre heißt Treue" and the avatar pic of usersatch for the first time.

I am sure you know that "Meine Ehre heißt Treue" is the motto of the German Nazi-SS - a gang of murderers with more than questionable ideology.

The avatar pic is the symbol of the 2. SS-Panzer-Division "Das Reich".

Although this is a "history" forum and it might be legal at your place to use Nazi mottos and symbols (in my country you could be jailed), I find this decidedly out of place and very poor taste - to stay polite.

I second what LST said.

[Feltan]

ORIGINAL: LargeSlowTarget

I just notice the sig "Meine Ehre heißt Treue" and the avatar pic of usersatch for the first time.

I am sure you know that "Meine Ehre heißt Treue" is the motto of the German Nazi-SS - a gang of murderers with more than questionable ideology.

The avatar pic is the symbol of the 2. SS-Panzer-Division "Das Reich".

Although this is a "history" forum and it might be legal at your place to use Nazi mottos and symbols (in my country you could be jailed), I find this decidedly out of place and very poor taste - to stay polite.

Personally, I don't find it any more distasteful than being a JFB & knowing what historical atrocities they committed.

It is a war game forum; I think being provocative and associating oneself with the "bad side" is to be expected. It makes it all the more fun when you can kick their ass in a PBM game!

Regards,
Feltan

[castor troy]

ORIGINAL: LoBaron

ORIGINAL: LargeSlowTarget

I just notice the sig "Meine Ehre heißt Treue" and the avatar pic of usersatch for the first time.

I am sure you know that "Meine Ehre heißt Treue" is the motto of the German Nazi-SS - a gang of murderers with more than questionable ideology.

The avatar pic is the symbol of the 2. SS-Panzer-Division "Das Reich".

Although this is a "history" forum and it might be legal at your place to use Nazi mottos and symbols (in my country you could be jailed), I find this decidedly out of place and very poor taste - to stay polite.

I second what LST said.

while I dislike it too, the German and Austrian paranoia about it from getting schooled more or less non stop especially the last 30 years is a German and Austrian speciality. No doubt about all the atrocities
70 years ago but outside of our countries there is not that much paranoia about it nowadays. I would welcome laws in other countries that prohibit glorification of Nazi ideology and signs but what is going on
in my country isn't normal anymore either and at some point it should just calm down a bit. Information about it no doubt at all, but I am kind of sick for having to feel guilty for something that happened over
40 years before I was born. Heck, 100 km from where I live, just 50km across the border there are still Italian fascist memorials, a couple of hundred km away in Croatia, where my company got a factory, I saw people
with Ustasa T-Shirts and how long ago we saw Prince Harry in a Nazi uniform?

All not politically correct, but not nearly causing the hype we see it in our before mentioned two countries where you get a longer time in jail for three times raising your right arm (which is totally dumb anyway)
than for raping someone.

Anyways, not the place to discuss this stuff and not allowed by forum rules so just let it be.

[offenseman]

ORIGINAL: Feltan

I had a P-38 (can opener) on my dog tag chain for years. One of the invaluable tools of the old line. The MRE's of today just destroy the romance.

N
Regards,
Feltan

<heavy sigh> But at least with the first generation MREs, one could drop the dehydrated pork patty in the sand, blow it off and it still tasted and felt the same. Of course it can also be said that "Meal Ready to Eat" is three lies for the price of one. I do miss Ranger fudge though. Once in a while I make it just to reminisce.

[AW1Steve]

ORIGINAL: geofflambert

ORIGINAL: Feltan

I had a P-38 (can opener) on my dog tag chain for years. One of the invaluable tools of the old line. The MRE's of today just destroy the romance.

No more C-rations,

or Jeeps,

or M1911 .45 side arms.

The world has gone to hell!

Regards,
Feltan

You can still get those, can't you? I've been thinking if I ever broke down and got a self defense weapon, that would be it (along with a pump action shotgun). I know it doesn't have the penetration power of a .357 magnum, but I don't want my bullets to go clean through the bad guy and hit some innocent bystanders. [X(]

It's not the caliber you should be concerned with. It's the type of ammo. There are many types of "new" ammo for weapons that address your fear. For instance there is ammo for the 1911 (a favorite of mine) that consists of small balls suspended in a "glob" which will spread out on contact and while providing tremendous "knock-down" power , generally won't penetrate walls (even normal "thin" sheetrock). If you do decide to ever do the "self-defense route" I strongly recommend 1) taking a course 2) joining a gun range to frequently practice (having a gun is having a tool. You need to have the skills to properly use the tool). 3) find a competent Instructor/mentor/gunsmith/sensi to discuss your choice of weapon and ammo in view of your concern. Having a gun as a self defense weapon is a great responsibility. You might just be better off with a baseball bat (depending on your situation). [:)]

BTW if you are serious , or curious , once the weather improves I'd be happy to take you to my range or introduce you to experts who can help you. [:)]