RE: Home made P - 82 mustang
"random" as in which or when?
The critical time is takeoff, and when slowing down to land.
At speed, the plane should be controllable, as the stabiliziing forces are pretty high.
The P-38 has shorter noses on the motors, but worse single-engine flight characteristics I'd bet, due to the really small verticals.
Models of the P-38 usually end up as land-fill not too long into their flying careers.
Bungee launching would help the takeoff situation, and ease the landing since a wheel-less approach should be faster and flatter.
Speed helps!