keady Ernest Tucker · FollowFormer Pilot Fixed and Rotor Craft Aeronautical Engineer (1968–2012)May 19Why did the P-38 Lightning struggle with issues like turbocharger problems and cockpit ergonomics, and how did these affect its performance in combat? My father flew the 38s. He also flew 51s and a variety of combat aircraft. He finished his career in 1968 after thirty years flying B-52s.
The one thing that he said about the 38 was that it had more growing pains than most, but with those growing pains, it became his fighter aircraft of choice. Ergonomics wasn't so much a problem as the heating, which was very quickly corrected. Cooling was the same. The turbochargers weren't as much of a problem as the initial lack of them was. The first 51s had the same problems. The only real problem with the turbos was that they were still evolving as far as materials and design. But the 38 was a marvelous but of engineering. I had the opportunity to sit down with Kelly Johnson and pick his brain when I worked on another project. He conceptualized it over coffee and on a paper napkin. It's development actually started before the US joined into WWII. Dad had been flying the P-40s and we all know their faults and short falls. Curtis knew also. So when the first of the P-38s came along, he jumped at the opportunity to snag a seat. Then the 51 came along and everyone was so fired up about it, but dad saw a good close in ground support bird that had very little power. It was fast down low, but get above 10,000 ft. and it became a underpowered target. When the merlin was developed the 38s were already fighting the underpowered reputation just like the 51s. But the twin engines on the 38s made an enormous difference. When the Merlins were installed, dad said it was like he'd died and gone to heaven. The electric props were outstanding and the range with the new tank configuration was outstanding. After flying in combat for about three months he walked out to visit his bird and found that all the guns and cannon were stripped out and cameras were being installed. He finished the war in the Pacific taking pictures. The 38 was the only aircraft at the time that was fast enough to get in, take the required picture and get out without ever firing a shot. It truly was one hell of a machin
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