GallopingGhostler

I read a little on what the P-38 pilot had to do to go from cruise to combat mode. The cockpit was very busy during that moment, with all the adjustments the pilot had to do the engine, ancillary systems and weapons arming (this was before the days of computers doing auto-sequencing by the touch of a button). A low experience pilot could easily become a statistic if he didn't have these sequences well memorized and rehearsed.

Some earlier historians and later revisionists tote that the P-38 was inferior to other aircraft, however, I gather that it was a very advanced aircraft for the time, and in the hands of an experienced combat pilot could turn tables on the enemy with deadly result.

WWIIP38

My Feedback: (43)

A great P-38 book with lots of illustrations and scale detail;

Amazon

Amazon

N1EDM

My Feedback: (2)

Another book suggestion was "Fork Tailed Devil" by Martin Caidin. According to his book, the early P-38's were shipped to the ETO but the enemy knew they could get out of trouble if they dove away from the P-38. The P-38 was too heavy and could shake apart in a dive. It was actually approaching the speed of sound in some cases, and some called it Compressability. It needed dive brakes but plans to retrofit the P-38 went Awry.

Later variants went to the Pacific theater and those versions already had dive brakes built in.

WWIIP38, I also have Ethell's book and agree that it is a great resource!! Great suggestion!!

Just my $.02,

Bob

WWIIP38

My Feedback: (43)

Ironically, Jeff Ethell was killed while flying a P-38.

N1EDM

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That's horrible... Which -38 was he flying???

Bob

WWIIP38

My Feedback: (43)

Ethell accident report; https://www.avweb.com/flight-safety/...ll-p-38-crash/
His Roaring Glory Warbirds videos were very good. He did one on on the P-38;

N1EDM

My Feedback: (2)

Thanks for that. That was so sad. Once I saw his photo, I knew who you were referring to. Jeff also did a Roaring Glory Warbirds DVD on flying the P-38. I have got mine from Amazon.

I must have really liked it because I just discovered that I have two copies...

Bob

jmdunstan

Thanks for your advice. I will take it.

N1EDM

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Hi jmdustan,
Was that reply for me?

Bob

jmdunstan

I was trying to thank 70 ragtop for his advice on servos and gear door actuation.

GallopingGhostler

Thanks for the link to Ethell's accident and unfortunate passing. It is as tragic as was Paul Mantz's death July 8, 1965 with the crash during filming "Flight of the Phoenix". My condolences, may they both rest in peace.

jmdunstan

I am in the early stages of my first Ziroli P-38 build, and am trying to gather as much information as possible. Among the many issues on my mind are recommended placement of internal components such as receiver, TwinSync module, gear sequencer, batteries and switches. I would also like to know how much balance ballast to plan on. The area under the front of the fuselage crutch is a tempting location for the receiver batteries, but is also the most logical location for balance weight.
Any advice would be appreciated.

John H Stewart

My recently completed Ziroli.... Da-60’s, Sierra gear, xtreme powers systems XP’s-24 under the radio compartment rear of cockpit. Batteries and 1.3 lbs. ballast in fwd compt.

jmdunstan

John: Thanks for your input. My P-38 will use DLE55RA's and Sierra gear, and has fiberglass booms. Knowing that I will not need 5 or 6 pounds of ballast is a great relief. What is the total weight of your P-38?
Jim

John H Stewart

Jim, Mine weighs 49 pounds total. Complete cockpit etc. I built up the booms from the plans. I did use spruce for stringers instead of balsa, and beefed it up in a few other ways. Sure hopes it works out as I have not flown it yet. Our weather for the last couple months has been absolutely terrible... I also was able to use the MKS side mounted servos in the tail surfaces and keep them inside. Sure did turn out nice. First model after 40 years or so I have been a bit hesitant to fly. Actually I have completed full scale airplanes in less time than this P-38! Good Luck! John

jmdunstan

I have gotten to the point of installing the gear mounts in the fiberglass booms, and quickly realized the the stock Ziroli mounts for Robart retracts do not work with Sierra gear. In my research I recall coming across a thread in which the author was modifying the stock gear mounts to suit Sierra gear, but I cannot find it now. I would appreciate any leads or advice on making the required mods.

c-130RCpilot

Would any of the P38 Gurus know about a 104 inch P38 I'm trying to identify? I have one that looks like an older build, perhaps 10-20 years old. Definitely not an ARF. It has a nice canopy that looks correctly sized, so that tells me someone built it from plans/kit that offered a canopy. Any help identifying is appreciated. Thanks!

N1EDM

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Could that wingspan be a typo?? Ziroli has a giant scale P-38 with a 114" span https://ziroligiantscaleplans.com/p-...plan-1077.html

Bob

c-130RCpilot

The wingspan is actually 104.

70 ragtop

My Feedback: (24)

122" ARF, who's going to be first to get one in the states and stick a pair of Kolms in it

https://kingtechturbine.lu/JMB-Lockh...38-Lightning_2

Fili

if I win the lottery....

FlyerInOKC

My Feedback: (6)

All you have to decide is who drives the get-away-car and who wears the mask!

GallopingGhostler

Under the current situation, the mask problem is solved, only thing to decide is who drives.

Fili

Ordered engines and retracts for mine (GP61s and Robart air) Should have her in the air next summer. "should" is the operative word...Lol

Juango

My Feedback: (2)

Greetings Juan here 🙂🤚 from Puerto Rico 🇵🇷 , want to join this group . Currently ordering my Jmb / Wind-rc.com P-38 PnP version 122” wingspan in Robin Olds Scat II Silver scheme with weathering included . Thinking on installing two DA-60’s and if they were counter rotating would be great if posible , but finding props will be hard to get 😕 …..