As the P-38 gradually took on more fighter-bomber missions, it’s ability to load up even more bombs became a reality and 1CGS has given us a ton of options to work with. The P-38 is a high performing aircraft in IL-2 with a very good climb rate, reasonably good top speed and acceleration, and the ability to sling impressive armament loads. Pilots enjoy a clear sight picture making it easier to track targets and aim effective deflection shots in tight turns or at long ranges. The P-38 also has excellent forward visibility and decent rear visibility though side views are somewhat obstructed by the wings. Virtual pilots struggling to ID other types that look alike (P-51, Bf109, P-40, Yak, etc.) should have no such problem with the P-38’s distinctive twin boom design. ![]() The P-38 is also blessed and cursed because its size and shape make it easier to spot and easier to recognize than other aircraft. The P-38 can even hold a turn fairly well and provide a serious challenge to FW190 and Bf109 pilots that are often going to struggle to pull as tightly as the P-38 can. Flying the P-38 in a dogfight situation is a challenge requiring good pilot techniques to stay in the fight and gain the advantage.ĭespite the twin engine stature, the P-38 is surprisingly agile with good stall handling and the ability to pull tightly into turns. Deliberate maneuvering is essential against aircraft like the FW190 and Bf109 which both have better roll rates. ![]() Though power boosted, the P-38 remains a slow to roll aircraft and struggles to keep up in close quarters dogfight situations. The real P-38 suffered from issues that don’t affect virtual pilots such as problems with cockpit heating (though if you open your window in mid winter you may experience the same biting cold – I don’t recommend) and a few issues that transcend both real and virtual. I’ve talked a lot about the real P-38 so now let’s talk about the virtual one in IL-2. The P-38 was never a perfect aircraft but in the right hands it could be wielded as a potent weapon and its range and twin engines proved to be an asset. It had power boosted ailerons that helped roll rate at high speeds, dive brakes to allow pilots some degree of control over compressibility issues in high speed dives, and it came with revised radiator systems to improve cooling and engine reliability issues. This later model of P-38 fought in Normandy and in dwindling numbers to the end of the war. Numerous P-38’s (and their pilots) were lost in unrecoverable dives.Īll of these problems would begin to be addressed and we get to see that in the P-38J-25 that we have in IL-2: Battle of Bodneplatte. The aircraft also suffered from compressibility issues where the aircraft lost control as it approached Mach speed. The roll rate of the big aircraft was insufficient and in a close-in dogfight against faster rolling German aircraft, that slow roll proved problematic. The P-38 also had some other serious issues. Numerous other engine problems also added to the issues along with a problematic generator, difficult to operate cockpit controls, and difficult to use manual control systems that pilots were sometimes not well trained on. While the pilot was often freezing, the engines were overheating and over-cooling as the cooling systems on early models proved insufficient. ![]() In Europe, the P-38’s cockpit had insufficient heating and pilots had issues with cold temperatures during high altitude flight. Earlier versions suffered from a number of maladies that hampered its combat effectiveness. The P-38 was a complex aircraft to build and complex to manage. Heavy firepower and high altitude performance were the twin callings of the aircraft and the P-38’s twin Allison V-1710 in-line counter rotating engines were hooked up to a turbo-supercharger to help achieve that goal. The Lighting was envisioned to be a high altitude bomber interceptor with the ability to defend North America from high flying enemy bombers. Over 10,000 P-38 Lightning’s were produced during WWII with this iconic aircraft popping up in battles from Western Europe and Italy to the central Pacific and over the jungles of New Guinea and across the Solomon Islands. ![]() The P-38 played a significant role in Europe almost up until the end of the war but how does it match up in IL-2? Let’s find out! A flash of Lightning It comes to IL-2: Battle of Bodenplatte as one of two engine aircraft in the set and is loaded with plenty of firepower options. The P-38 Lightning is one of the most unique fighters of WWII in appearance.
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