Difference between revisions of "P-38K"

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{{About
 +
| about = American fighter '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
 +
| usage = other versions
 +
| link = P-38 (Family)
 +
}}
 
{{Specs-Card
 
{{Specs-Card
 
|code=p-38k
 
|code=p-38k
−
|cockpit=359936/1222191
+
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg}}
−
}}
+
|cockpit=cockpit_p-38k.jpg
−
{{About
 
−
| about = American twin-engine fighter '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
 
−
| usage = other uses
 
−
| link = P-38 (Family)
 
 
}}
 
}}
  
 
== Description ==
 
== Description ==
 
<!-- ''In the description, the first part should be about the history of and the creation and combat usage of the aircraft, as well as its key features. In the second part, tell the reader about the aircraft in the game. Insert a screenshot of the vehicle, so that if the novice player does not remember the vehicle by name, he will immediately understand what kind of vehicle the article is talking about.'' -->
 
<!-- ''In the description, the first part should be about the history of and the creation and combat usage of the aircraft, as well as its key features. In the second part, tell the reader about the aircraft in the game. Insert a screenshot of the vehicle, so that if the novice player does not remember the vehicle by name, he will immediately understand what kind of vehicle the article is talking about.'' -->
−
[[File:GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg|420px|thumb|left]]
+
The P-38K was essentially a P-38G airframe fitting with the more powerful V-1710-75/77 engines. These engines could make well over 1600 hp. The P-38K also had better propellers which also helped with the performance. Test flights were conducted in early 1943 and the results were promising. The climb rate was greatly increased and was far better performing compared to America's main fighters at the time (P-47D and the P-51B). However, this idea never reached production due to the extensive time needed to get production ready for an engine change. This also sparked talks about a Merlin-powered P-38 but that was also rejected. Only one prototype was developed.
−
{{break}}
+
 
−
The '''{{Specs|rank}}''' is a gift Rank {{Specs|rank}} American twin-engine fighter {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced during [[Update 1.53 "Firestorm"]] when it became available as part of a Christmas Sale Bundle in 2015, and again in the 2017 Summer Sale in the "Daredevil" bundle.
+
Introduced as a premium pack during [[Update 1.53 "Firestorm"]], the P-38K has the best flight performance out of any P-38 Lightning thanks to its better engines and propellers. It features the standard armament of four 12.7 mm machine guns in the nose along with a single 20 mm cannon. However, this variant lacks any ground attack munitions like some of the other P-38 variants. Nonetheless, it's an excellent aircraft for fighting enemy aircraft thanks to its performance and sufficient armament.
 +
 
 +
The P-38K was made available for purchase during the 2015 Christmas Sale. It was later available for purchase in the store for the [[wt:en/news/3799-shop-independence-day-sale-en|2016 Independence Day Sale]], the [[wt:en/news/4608-news-a-revolt-in-war-thunder-discount-is-over-en|2017 A revolt in War Thunder]], the [[wt:en/news/4798-shop-summer-sale-ended-en|2017 Summer Sale]], and the [[wt:en/news/5976-special-shop-war-thunder-winter-sale-en|2018 Winter sale]] and has since been made available for various sales and allied themed events.
  
 
== General info ==
 
== General info ==
−
=== Flight Performance ===
+
=== Flight performance ===
 +
{{Specs-Avia-Flight}}
 
<!-- ''Describe how the aircraft behaves in the air. Speed, manoeuvrability, acceleration and allowable loads - these are the most important characteristics of the vehicle.'' -->
 
<!-- ''Describe how the aircraft behaves in the air. Speed, manoeuvrability, acceleration and allowable loads - these are the most important characteristics of the vehicle.'' -->
−
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
+
 
−
|-
+
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="70%"
−
! colspan="8" | Characteristics
+
! rowspan="2" | Characteristics
−
|-
 
−
! colspan="8" | ''Stock''
 
−
|-
 
 
! colspan="2" | Max Speed<br>(km/h at 6,401 m)
 
! colspan="2" | Max Speed<br>(km/h at 6,401 m)
−
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude<br>(meters)
+
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude<br>(metres)
 
! colspan="2" | Turn time<br>(seconds)
 
! colspan="2" | Turn time<br>(seconds)
−
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb<br>(meters/second)
+
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb<br>(metres/second)
−
! rowspan="2" | Take-off run<br>(meters)
+
! rowspan="2" | Take-off run<br>(metres)
 
|-
 
|-
−
! AB
+
! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB !! AB !! RB
−
! RB
 
−
! AB
 
−
! RB
 
−
! AB
 
−
! RB
 
 
|-
 
|-
−
| ? || 673 || 13,411 || ??.? || 22.0 || ??.? || 18.6 || 332
+
! Stock
 +
| 693 || 673 || rowspan="2" | {{Specs|ceiling}} || 21.2 || 22.0 || 18.6 || 18.6 || rowspan="2" | 332
 
|-
 
|-
−
! colspan="8" | ''Upgraded''
+
! Upgraded
−
|-
+
| 761 || 724 || 19.5 || 20.0 || 31.9 || 24.0
−
! colspan="2" | Max Speed<br>(km/h at 6,401 m)
 
−
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude (meters)
 
−
! colspan="2" | Turn time (seconds)
 
−
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb<br>(meters/second)
 
−
! rowspan="2" | Take-off run (meters)
 
−
|-
 
−
! AB
 
−
! RB
 
−
! AB
 
−
! RB
 
−
! AB
 
−
! RB
 
−
|-
 
−
| 761 || 724 || 13,411 || 19.5 || 20.0 || 36.4 || 24.0 || 332
 
 
|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
  
−
====Details====
+
==== Details ====
−
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
+
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
 
|-
 
|-
 
! colspan="5" | Features
 
! colspan="5" | Features
 
|-
 
|-
−
! Combat flap
+
! Combat flaps !! Take-off flaps !! Landing flaps !! Air brakes !! Arrestor gear
−
! Take-off flap
 
−
! Landing flap
 
−
! Air brakes
 
−
! Arrestor gear
 
 
|-
 
|-
 
| ✓ || ✓ || ✓ || X || X    <!-- ✓ -->
 
| ✓ || ✓ || ✓ || X || X    <!-- ✓ -->
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|}
 
|}
  
−
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
+
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="50%"
 
|-
 
|-
−
! colspan="5" | Limits
+
! colspan="7" | Limits
 
|-
 
|-
−
! rowspan="2" | Wing-break speed<br>(km/h)
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! rowspan="2" | Wings (km/h)
−
! rowspan="2" | Gear limit<br>(km/h)
+
! rowspan="2" | Gear (km/h)
−
! rowspan="2" | Combat flap<br> (km/h)
+
! colspan="3" | Flaps (km/h)
 
! colspan="2" | Max Static G
 
! colspan="2" | Max Static G
 
|-
 
|-
−
! +
+
! Combat !! Take-off !! Landing !! + !! -
−
! -
 
 
|-
 
|-
−
| 790 || 289 || 534 || ~9 || ~5
+
| {{Specs|destruction|body}} || {{Specs|destruction|gear}} || 565 || 495 || 250 || ~9 || ~5
 
|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
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{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
 
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
 
|-
 
|-
−
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities
+
! colspan="4" | Optimal velocities (km/h)
 
|-
 
|-
−
! Ailerons<br>(km/h)
+
! Ailerons !! Rudder !! Elevators !! Radiator
−
! Rudder<br>(km/h)
 
−
! Elevators<br>(km/h)
 
−
! Radiator<br>(km/h)
 
 
|-
 
|-
−
| < 321 || < 460 || < 500 || > 240
+
| < 380 || < 460 || < 500 || > 420
 
|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
  
−
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
+
=== Survivability and armour ===
−
|-
+
{{Specs-Avia-Armour}}
−
! colspan="3" | Compressor (RB/SB)
+
<!-- ''Examine the survivability of the aircraft. Note how vulnerable the structure is and how secure the pilot is, whether the fuel tanks are armoured, etc. Describe the armour, if there is any, and also mention the vulnerability of other critical aircraft systems.'' -->
−
|-
+
 
−
! colspan="3" | Setting 1
+
* 6.5 mm steel behind guns
−
|-
+
* 6.5 mm steel seat
−
! Optimal altitude
+
* 9.5 mm steel behind pilot
−
! 100% Engine power
+
* 38 mm bulletproof glass in front of the pilot
−
! WEP Engine power
+
* Self-sealing fuel tanks (3 in each wing)
−
|-
 
−
| 8,500 m || 2,600 hp || 3,380 hp
 
−
|-
 
−
<!--! colspan="3" | Setting 2
 
−
|-
 
−
! Optimal altitude
 
−
! 100% Engine power
 
−
! WEP Engine power
 
−
|-
 
−
| ?,??? m || ?,??? hp || ?,??? hp
 
−
|-
 
−
! colspan="3" | Setting 3
 
−
|-
 
−
! Optimal altitude
 
−
! 100% Engine power
 
−
! WEP Engine power
 
−
|-
 
−
| ?,??? m || ?,??? hp || ?,??? hp
 
−
|- -->
 
−
|}
 
  
−
=== Survivability and armour ===
+
=== Modifications and economy ===
−
''Examine the survivability of the aircraft. Note how vulnerable the structure is and how secure the pilot is, whether the fuel tanks are armoured, etc. Describe the armour, if there is any, and also mention the vulnerability of other critical aircraft systems.''
+
{{Specs-Economy}}
  
 
== Armaments ==
 
== Armaments ==
 +
{{Specs-Avia-Armaments}}
 
=== Offensive armament ===
 
=== Offensive armament ===
 +
{{Specs-Avia-Offensive}}
 
<!-- ''Describe the offensive armament of the aircraft, if any. Describe how effective the cannons and machine guns are in a battle, and also what belts or drums are better to use. If there is no offensive weaponry, delete this subsection.'' -->
 
<!-- ''Describe the offensive armament of the aircraft, if any. Describe how effective the cannons and machine guns are in a battle, and also what belts or drums are better to use. If there is no offensive weaponry, delete this subsection.'' -->
−
{{main|AN/M2 (20 mm)|Browning M2 (12.7 mm)}}
+
{{main|AN/M2 (20 mm)|M2 Browning (12.7 mm)}}
  
 
The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' is armed with:
 
The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' is armed with:
 +
 
* 1 x 20 mm AN/M2 cannon, nose-mounted (150 rpg)
 
* 1 x 20 mm AN/M2 cannon, nose-mounted (150 rpg)
 
* 4 x 12.7 mm M2 Browning machine guns, nose-mounted (500 rpg = 2,000 total)
 
* 4 x 12.7 mm M2 Browning machine guns, nose-mounted (500 rpg = 2,000 total)
  
 
== Usage in battles ==
 
== Usage in battles ==
−
<!-- ''Describe the tactics of playing in an aircraft, the features of using vehicles in a team and advice on tactics. Refrain from creating a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view, but instead, give the reader food for thought. Examine the most dangerous enemies and give recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of the game in different modes (AB, RB, SB).'' -->
+
<!-- ''Describe the tactics of playing in the aircraft, the features of using aircraft in a team and advice on tactics. Refrain from creating a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view, but instead, give the reader food for thought. Examine the most dangerous enemies and give recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of the game in different modes (AB, RB, SB).'' -->
 
The main and only tactic of the P-38K is, solely an air superiority and it excels at that.
 
The main and only tactic of the P-38K is, solely an air superiority and it excels at that.
  
−
When playing the P-38K, climb to a high altitude, search for the enemy and locate an enemy you feel confident in engaging.
+
When playing the P-38K, climb to a high altitude, search for the enemy and locate an enemy you feel confident in engaging. Assuming you are above the enemy target, put the aircraft into a gradual descent, which allows you to maintain a speed advantage. As you are descending; make small corrections on your path so you don't give the element surprise away by overshooting the enemy. Now you are about one to two seconds away from your target. Here you will line your sights up, with your sights on the tail and fire a burst with your cannon and machine guns. While keeping the momentum, climb back up to the height you where before and repeat for the best results.
−
Assuming you are above the enemy target, put the aircraft into a gradual descent, which allows you to maintain a speed advantage. As you are descending; make small corrections on your path so you don't give the element surprise away by overshooting the enemy.
 
−
Now you are about one to two seconds away from your target. Here you will line your sights up, with your sights on the tail and fire a bust with your cannon and machine guns. While keeping the momentum, climb back up to the height you where before and repeat for the best results.
 
  
−
This plane does not carry any bombs or rockets. So using this in a ground strike role is not recommended.
+
This plane does not carry any bombs or rockets, so using it in a ground strike role is not recommended.
  
−
===Manual Engine Control===
+
=== Manual Engine Control ===
 
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
 
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
 
|-
 
|-
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! rowspan="2" | Turbocharger
 
! rowspan="2" | Turbocharger
 
|-
 
|-
−
! Oil
+
! Oil !! Water !! Type
−
! Water
 
−
! Type
 
−
|-
 
−
| Controllable || rowspan="2" | Not controllable || rowspan="2" | Not controllable || rowspan="2" | Not controllable || rowspan="2" | Separate || rowspan="2" | Not controllable || rowspan="2" | Not controllable
 
−
|-
 
−
|}
 
−
 
 
−
===Modules===
 
−
{| class="wikitable"
 
−
! colspan="1" | Tier
 
−
! colspan="2" | Flight performance
 
−
! colspan="1" | Survivability
 
−
! colspan="2" | Weaponry
 
−
|-
 
−
| I
 
−
|
 
−
|
 
−
|
 
−
|
 
−
|-
 
−
| II
 
−
|
 
−
|
 
−
|
 
−
|
 
 
|-
 
|-
−
| III
+
| Controllable || Controllable<br>Auto control available || Controllable<br>Auto control available || Controllable<br>Auto control available || Separate || Not controllable<br>1 gear || Not controllable
−
|
 
−
|
 
−
|
 
−
|
 
−
|-
 
−
| IV
 
−
|
 
−
|
 
−
|
 
−
|
 
 
|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
  
 
=== Pros and cons ===
 
=== Pros and cons ===
−
<!-- ''Summarize and briefly evaluate the vehicle in terms of its characteristics and combat effectiveness. Mark its pros and cons in the bulleted list. Try not to use more than 6 points for each of the characteristics. Avoid using categorical definitions such as "bad", "good" and the like - use substitutions with softer forms such as "inadequate" and "effective".'' -->
+
<!-- ''Summarise and briefly evaluate the vehicle in terms of its characteristics and combat effectiveness. Mark its pros and cons in the bulleted list. Try not to use more than 6 points for each of the characteristics. Avoid using categorical definitions such as "bad", "good" and the like - use substitutions with softer forms such as "inadequate" and "effective".'' -->
  
 
'''Pros:'''
 
'''Pros:'''
−
* Excellent speed, acceleration and climb rate (one of the fastest climbing props in the game)
+
 
 +
* Excellent speed, acceleration and climb rate
 
* Very powerful armament, great for bomber hunting
 
* Very powerful armament, great for bomber hunting
−
* Armament being positioned in the nose allows it to have great and fearsome head-on capability
+
* Armament being positioned in the nose allows it to have the great and fearsome head-on capability
−
* Adequate roll and turn time (You can actually out turn even Yak's and Spitfires with the landing flaps! Though use them on and off)
+
* Adequate roll and turn time (You can actually out turn even Yaks and Spitfires with the landing flaps! Though use them on and off)
 
* Cockpit visibility, important in simulator matches, is mostly unobstructed
 
* Cockpit visibility, important in simulator matches, is mostly unobstructed
−
* Acceleration is a great deference when escaping and/or evading enemy aircraft
+
* Acceleration is great deference when escaping and/or evading enemy aircraft
−
* Excellent Sliver Lion and Research Point earner
+
* Excellent Silver Lion and Research Point earner
−
* Best Boom & Zoom P-38 in game
+
* Best Boom & Zoom P-38 in-game
 
* Great air superiority aircraft
 
* Great air superiority aircraft
  
−
'''Cons'''
+
'''Cons:'''
−
* Wing fuel tanks, easily catches on fire when shot
+
 
 +
* Wing fuel tanks easily catch on fire when shot
 
* Unable to dive to put wing fires out without breaking wings
 
* Unable to dive to put wing fires out without breaking wings
 
* Very delicate airframe, will not take much damage and it is easy to rip wings in dives, no air/drive brakes installed
 
* Very delicate airframe, will not take much damage and it is easy to rip wings in dives, no air/drive brakes installed
−
* Easy to black out if crew vitality is low I.e. G-force and stamina are low
+
* Easy to blackout if crew G-force and stamina are low
 
* Single armament preset: No external bombs or rockets
 
* Single armament preset: No external bombs or rockets
 
* When throttling up very fast to WEP, it can cause plane spin/unstable due to the engine torque
 
* When throttling up very fast to WEP, it can cause plane spin/unstable due to the engine torque
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== History ==
 
== History ==
−
<!-- ''Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the aircraft in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too big, take it to a separate article, taking a link to the article about the vehicle and adding a block "/ History" (example: <nowiki>https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Vehicle-name)/History</nowiki>) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to reference text and sources by using <code><nowiki><ref></nowiki></code>, as well as adding them at the end of the article. This section may also include the vehicle's dev blog entry (if applicable) and the in-game encyclopedia description (under <code><nowiki>=== Encyclopedia Info ===</nowiki></code>, also if applicable).'' -->
+
<!-- ''Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the aircraft in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too long, take it to a separate article, taking a link to the article about the vehicle and adding a block "/History" (example: <nowiki>https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Vehicle-name)/History</nowiki>) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to reference text and sources by using <code><nowiki><ref></ref></nowiki></code>, as well as adding them at the end of the article with <code><nowiki><references /></nowiki></code>. This section may also include the vehicle's dev blog entry (if applicable) and the in-game encyclopedia description (under <code><nowiki>=== In-game description ===</nowiki></code>, also if applicable).'' -->
−
The concept of the plane was made in February 1937 when the US Army Air Corps made a requirement for a plane that had twin-engine and can act as an high-altitude interceptor that can hold a large amount of armament and ammunition. The term "interceptor" was used for the aircraft by the requirement authors, 1st Lt Benjamin S. Kelsey and Gordon P. Saville, to bypass the Air Corps' strict requirements on aircraft designs at the time. The specifications laid by this new requirements also called for a maximum speed of 360 mph (580 km/h) and able to climb to 20,000 ft altitude in six minutes, making it the most tough specifications at the time. Design proposals were made for the specifications, one of which would become the [[P-39N-0|Bell P-39 Airacobra]], but it was the Lockheed design team headed by Hall Hibbard and Clarence "Kelly" Johnson that made the final product. They made many designs with a twin-engine configuration. The prototypes made for the design used a twin-boom design to hold all the components of the aircraft. Various armaments were tested on the aircraft, from different machine gun combinations and auto cannons. It was finally settled to four M2 .50 cal machine guns and one Hispano 20 mm auto cannon. The aircraft armament configurations, all at the nose of the aircraft, was very unusual for an American aircraft design, as most of their designs and those of their foreign contemporaries had the armament mounted on the wings angled forward. Because of this mounting, the aircraft is able to fire at a longer distance accurately than wing-mounts.
+
The concept of the plane was made in February 1937 when the US Army Air Corps made a requirement for a plane that had twin-engine and can act as a high-altitude interceptor that can hold a large amount of armament and ammunition. The term "interceptor" was used for the aircraft by the requirement authors, 1st Lt Benjamin S. Kelsey and Gordon P. Saville, to bypass the Air Corps' strict requirements on aircraft designs at the time. The specifications laid by this new requirements also called for a maximum speed of 360 mph (580 km/h) and able to climb to 20,000 ft altitude in six minutes, making it the toughest specifications at the time. Design proposals were made for the specifications, one of which would become the [[P-39N-0|Bell P-39 Airacobra]], but it was the Lockheed design team headed by Hall Hibbard and Clarence "Kelly" Johnson that made the final product. They made many designs with a twin-engine configuration. The prototypes made for the design used a twin-boom design to hold all the components of the aircraft. Various armaments were tested on the aircraft, from different machine gun combinations and autocannons. It was finally settled to four M2 .50 cal machine guns and one Hispano 20 mm autocannon. The aircraft armament configurations, all at the nose of the aircraft, was very unusual for American aircraft design, as most of their designs and those of their foreign contemporaries had the armament mounted on the wings angled forward. Because of this mounting, the aircraft is able to fire at a longer distance accurately than wing-mounts.
  
 
== Media ==
 
== Media ==
−
''Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.''
+
<!-- ''Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.'' -->
 +
 
 +
;Skins
 +
* [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=p-38k Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]
 +
 
 +
;Videos
 +
{{Youtube-gallery|zn2uhgI2PPg|'''Best twin-boom aircraft''' discusses the {{PAGENAME}} at 04:39 - ''War Thunder Official Channel''}}
  
 
== See also ==
 
== See also ==
−
<!--''Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:''
+
<!-- ''Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:''
 
* ''reference to the series of the aircraft;''
 
* ''reference to the series of the aircraft;''
−
* ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.''-->
+
* ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.'' -->
 +
 
 
;Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era
 
;Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era
−
 
−
* Bristol [[Beaufighter Mk VIc|Beaufighter]]
 
−
* de Havilland [[Mosquito (Family)|Mosquito]]
 
−
* Kawasaki [[Ki-96]]
 
−
* Mitsubishi [[Ki-83]]
 
−
* Nakajima [[J5N1|J5N]]
 
 
* Northrop [[P-61C-1|P-61]] Black Widow
 
* Northrop [[P-61C-1|P-61]] Black Widow
−
* Westland [[Whirlwind Mk I| Whirlwind]]
 
−
* Petlyakov [[Pe-3 (e)|Pe-3]]
 
 
* Savoia-Marchetti [[SM.92]]
 
* Savoia-Marchetti [[SM.92]]
  
 
== External links ==
 
== External links ==
−
''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:''
+
<!-- ''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:''
 
* ''topic on the official game forum;''
 
* ''topic on the official game forum;''
−
* ''encyclopedia page on the aircraft;''
+
* ''other literature.'' -->
−
* ''other literature.''
+
 
 +
* [https://forum.warthunder.com/index.php?/topic/288271-lockheed-p-38k/ Official data sheet - more details about the performance]
 +
* [https://archive.org/details/PilotTrainingManualP38/page/n1/mode/2up/ AAF Manual 51-127-1 - Pilot Training Manual for the Lightning P-38]
  
 +
{{AirManufacturer Lockheed}}
 
{{USA twin-engine fighters}}
 
{{USA twin-engine fighters}}
 +
{{USA premium aircraft}}

Latest revision as of 05:51, 22 February 2024

This page is about the American fighter P-38K. For other versions, see P-38 (Family).
P-38K
p-38k.png
GarageImage P-38K.jpg
360://https://wiki.warthunder.com/images/8/8c/Cockpit_p-38k.jpg
P-38K
USA flag.png USA
IV Rank
Battle rating:
AB RB SB
5.0 5.3 5.3
Class:
PREMIUM
Purchase:Bundle or Gift
Show in game

Description

The P-38K was essentially a P-38G airframe fitting with the more powerful V-1710-75/77 engines. These engines could make well over 1600 hp. The P-38K also had better propellers which also helped with the performance. Test flights were conducted in early 1943 and the results were promising. The climb rate was greatly increased and was far better performing compared to America's main fighters at the time (P-47D and the P-51B). However, this idea never reached production due to the extensive time needed to get production ready for an engine change. This also sparked talks about a Merlin-powered P-38 but that was also rejected. Only one prototype was developed.

Introduced as a premium pack during Update 1.53 "Firestorm", the P-38K has the best flight performance out of any P-38 Lightning thanks to its better engines and propellers. It features the standard armament of four 12.7 mm machine guns in the nose along with a single 20 mm cannon. However, this variant lacks any ground attack munitions like some of the other P-38 variants. Nonetheless, it's an excellent aircraft for fighting enemy aircraft thanks to its performance and sufficient armament.

The P-38K was made available for purchase during the 2015 Christmas Sale. It was later available for purchase in the store for the 2016 Independence Day Sale, the 2017 A revolt in War Thunder, the 2017 Summer Sale, and the 2018 Winter sale and has since been made available for various sales and allied themed events.

General info

Flight performance

Max speed
at 6 401 m724 km/h
Turn time20 s
Max altitude13 411 m
EngineAllison V-1710-77
TypeInline
Cooling systemWater
Take-off weight9 t
Characteristics Max Speed
(km/h at 6,401 m) 		Max altitude
(metres) 		Turn time
(seconds) 		Rate of climb
(metres/second) 		Take-off run
(metres)
AB RB AB RB AB RB
Stock 693 673 13411 21.2 22.0 18.6 18.6 332
Upgraded 761 724 19.5 20.0 31.9 24.0

Details

Features
Combat flaps Take-off flaps Landing flaps Air brakes Arrestor gear
✓ ✓ ✓ X X
Limits
Wings (km/h) Gear (km/h) Flaps (km/h) Max Static G
Combat Take-off Landing + -
0 289 565 495 250 ~9 ~5
Optimal velocities (km/h)
Ailerons Rudder Elevators Radiator
< 380 < 460 < 500 > 420

Survivability and armour

Crew1 person
Speed of destruction
Structural0 km/h
Gear289 km/h
  • 6.5 mm steel behind guns
  • 6.5 mm steel seat
  • 9.5 mm steel behind pilot
  • 38 mm bulletproof glass in front of the pilot
  • Self-sealing fuel tanks (3 in each wing)

Modifications and economy

Repair cost
AB1 940 Sl icon.png
RB5 301 Sl icon.png
SB6 215 Sl icon.png
Crew training10 000 Sl icon.png
Experts320 000 Sl icon.png
Aces1 100 Ge icon.png
Research Aces1 050 000 Rp icon.png
Reward for battleAB / RB / SB
Talisman.png 2 × 100 / 250 / 480 % Sl icon.png
Talisman.png 2 × 172 / 172 / 172 % Rp icon.png
Modifications
Flight performance Survivability Weaponry
Mods aerodinamic fuse.png
Fuselage repair
Mods radiator.png
Radiator
Mods compressor.png
Compressor
Mods aerodinamic wing.png
Wings repair
Mods new engine.png
Engine
Mods g suit.png
G-suit
Mods metanol.png
Engine injection
Mods armor frame.png
Airframe
Mods armor cover.png
Cover
Mods ammo.png
bmg50_belt_pack
Mod arrow 0.png
Mods weapon.png
bmg50_new_gun
Mods ammo.png
anm2_belt_pack
Mod arrow 0.png
Mods weapon.png
anm2_new_gun

Armaments

Offensive armament

Weapon 120 mm AN/M2 cannon
Ammunition150 rounds
Fire rate600 shots/min
Weapon 24 x 12.7 mm M2 Browning machine gun
Ammunition2 000 rounds
Fire rate750 shots/min
Main articles: AN/M2 (20 mm), M2 Browning (12.7 mm)

The P-38K is armed with:

  • 1 x 20 mm AN/M2 cannon, nose-mounted (150 rpg)
  • 4 x 12.7 mm M2 Browning machine guns, nose-mounted (500 rpg = 2,000 total)

Usage in battles

The main and only tactic of the P-38K is, solely an air superiority and it excels at that.

When playing the P-38K, climb to a high altitude, search for the enemy and locate an enemy you feel confident in engaging. Assuming you are above the enemy target, put the aircraft into a gradual descent, which allows you to maintain a speed advantage. As you are descending; make small corrections on your path so you don't give the element surprise away by overshooting the enemy. Now you are about one to two seconds away from your target. Here you will line your sights up, with your sights on the tail and fire a burst with your cannon and machine guns. While keeping the momentum, climb back up to the height you where before and repeat for the best results.

This plane does not carry any bombs or rockets, so using it in a ground strike role is not recommended.

Manual Engine Control

MEC elements
Mixer Pitch Radiator Supercharger Turbocharger
Oil Water Type
Controllable Controllable
Auto control available 		Controllable
Auto control available 		Controllable
Auto control available 		Separate Not controllable
1 gear 		Not controllable

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Excellent speed, acceleration and climb rate
  • Very powerful armament, great for bomber hunting
  • Armament being positioned in the nose allows it to have the great and fearsome head-on capability
  • Adequate roll and turn time (You can actually out turn even Yaks and Spitfires with the landing flaps! Though use them on and off)
  • Cockpit visibility, important in simulator matches, is mostly unobstructed
  • Acceleration is great deference when escaping and/or evading enemy aircraft
  • Excellent Silver Lion and Research Point earner
  • Best Boom & Zoom P-38 in-game
  • Great air superiority aircraft

Cons:

  • Wing fuel tanks easily catch on fire when shot
  • Unable to dive to put wing fires out without breaking wings
  • Very delicate airframe, will not take much damage and it is easy to rip wings in dives, no air/drive brakes installed
  • Easy to blackout if crew G-force and stamina are low
  • Single armament preset: No external bombs or rockets
  • When throttling up very fast to WEP, it can cause plane spin/unstable due to the engine torque
  • Low cannon ammunition amount, compared to other planes in the rank

History

The concept of the plane was made in February 1937 when the US Army Air Corps made a requirement for a plane that had twin-engine and can act as a high-altitude interceptor that can hold a large amount of armament and ammunition. The term "interceptor" was used for the aircraft by the requirement authors, 1st Lt Benjamin S. Kelsey and Gordon P. Saville, to bypass the Air Corps' strict requirements on aircraft designs at the time. The specifications laid by this new requirements also called for a maximum speed of 360 mph (580 km/h) and able to climb to 20,000 ft altitude in six minutes, making it the toughest specifications at the time. Design proposals were made for the specifications, one of which would become the Bell P-39 Airacobra, but it was the Lockheed design team headed by Hall Hibbard and Clarence "Kelly" Johnson that made the final product. They made many designs with a twin-engine configuration. The prototypes made for the design used a twin-boom design to hold all the components of the aircraft. Various armaments were tested on the aircraft, from different machine gun combinations and autocannons. It was finally settled to four M2 .50 cal machine guns and one Hispano 20 mm autocannon. The aircraft armament configurations, all at the nose of the aircraft, was very unusual for American aircraft design, as most of their designs and those of their foreign contemporaries had the armament mounted on the wings angled forward. Because of this mounting, the aircraft is able to fire at a longer distance accurately than wing-mounts.

Media

Skins
Videos
Best twin-boom aircraft discusses the P-38K at 04:39 - War Thunder Official Channel

See also

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era
  • Northrop P-61 Black Widow
  • Savoia-Marchetti SM.92

External links


Lockheed Corporation
Fighters  XP-38G · P-38E · P-38G-1 · P-38J-15 · Bong's P-38J-15 · P-38K · P-38L-5-LO · YP-38
Bombers  B-34 · PV-2D
Jet Fighters  F-80A-5 · F-80C-10
  F-104A · F-104C
Export / License  A-29 · ▄Hudson Mk V
  ␗P-38L-1
  ␗F-104A · ▀F-104G · ␗F-104G · ▄F-104G · ▅F-104J · ▄F-104S
See Also  SABCA · Mitsubishi Heavy Industries · Fiat Aviation

USA twin-engine fighters
P-38  XP-38G · P-38E · P-38G-1 · P-38J-15 · Bong's P-38J-15 · P-38L-5-LO · P-38K · YP-38
P-61  P-61A-11 · P-61C-1
F7F  F7F-1 · F7F-3
Other  XF5F · XP-50 · F-82E

USA premium aircraft
Fighters  Thach's F2A-1 · Galer's F3F-2 · F2G-1 · F4U-4B VMF-214 · P-26A-34 · Rasmussen's P-36A · P-40C · P-43A-1
  P-47M-1-RE · ⋠P-47M-1-RE · P-51A · P-51D-10 · P-51D-20-NA · ␠Kingcobra · XP-55
  ▃A6M2 · ▃Ki-43-II · ▃Ki-61-Ib · ▃Bf 109 F-4 · ▃Fw 190 A-8 · ▃Spitfire LF Mk IXc
Twin-engine fighters  XP-38G · Bong's P-38J-15 · P-38K · YP-38 · P-61A-11 · XF5F · XP-50 · F7F-3
Jet fighters  P-59A · F-86F-35 · F-89B · F-89D · F-4S Phantom II · F-5C · F-20A
Strike aircraft  A-1H · A2D-1 · AU-1 · XA-38 · AV-8A · AV-8B (NA) · A-6E TRAM · A-10A
Bombers  A-26C-45DT · B-10B · BTD-1 · PBM-3 "Mariner" · PBM-5A "Mariner" · PV-2D

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