Difference between revisions of "YP-38"

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{{About
 +
| about = American twin-engine fighter '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
 +
| usage = other versions
 +
| link = P-38 (Family)
 +
}}
 
{{Specs-Card
 
{{Specs-Card
 
|code=yp-38
 
|code=yp-38
 
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg}}
 
|images={{Specs-Card-Image|GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg}}
−
|store=9503
 
 
}}
 
}}
  
 
== 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.'' -->
−
The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a premium gift rank {{Specs|rank}} American twin-engine fighter {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update "Raining Fire"]] when it replaced the [[XP-38G]] in the "USA Pacific Campaign (1941-1942)" pack.
+
 
 +
The YP-38 was developed after the loss of the only XP-38. It was intended to be a pre-production aircraft fitted with armament; two 7.62 mm machine guns, two 12.7 mm machine guns, and one 37 mm cannon. All were to be mounted in the nose however some YP-38s never received their weaponry. The YP-38 managed to shave off over 14,000 lbs (6,350 kg) from the original XP-38. In addition, the YP-38 also had its propellor direction reversed (outward rather than inwards) which greatly improved stability when firing the guns. In late 1940, the first YP-38s were completed and were later sent to the U.S. Army. Although it was redesigned and significantly lost weight, the YP-38 had major issues with high-speed dives. During a test flight, a YP-38 broke up during a high-speed dive and subsequently killed the pilot. It would take Lockheed two years to find out the true source of the issue during wind tunnel testing.
 +
 
 +
The '''{{Specs|name}}''' was introduced in [[Update "Raining Fire"]] and replaced the [[XP-38G]]. The YP-38 was later removed from the store in the [[wt:en/news/8336-shop-summer-sale-in-the-gaijin-store-en|2023 Summer sale]]. Although with a troubled history, the YP-38 is a decent aircraft in-game. Firstly, all of the guns are mounted in the nose which greatly helps with accuracy. However, the guns are quite limited on ammo, so using them sparingly is important. The YP-38 can also climb well and is decently controllable at around 500 km/h (312 mph). Unfortunately, just like in real life, the YP-38 in-game suffers from high-speed manoeuvrability and can easily overspeed. The YP-38 is also limited in ground striking as it lacks any bombs/rockets and sufficient ammo for its guns.
  
 
== General info ==
 
== General info ==
Line 13: Line 20:
 
{{Specs-Avia-Flight}}
 
{{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.'' -->
−
''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" width="70%"
 
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="70%"
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! Combat !! Take-off !! Landing !! + !! -
 
! Combat !! Take-off !! Landing !! + !! -
 
|-
 
|-
−
| {{Specs|destruction|body}} || {{Specs|destruction|gear}} || 620 || 403 || 250 || ~10 || ~6
+
| {{Specs|destruction|body}} || {{Specs|destruction|gear}} || 566 || 495 || 250 || ~10 || ~6
 
|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
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The pilot has moderate armour protection, but other modules are vulnerable; the critical modules have no armour protection, as the armour is focused solely on the pilot. Because the two engines are on either side of the pilot they could absorb several bullets for the pilot if the enemy comes from the side.
 
The pilot has moderate armour protection, but other modules are vulnerable; the critical modules have no armour protection, as the armour is focused solely on the pilot. Because the two engines are on either side of the pilot they could absorb several bullets for the pilot if the enemy comes from the side.
  
−
* 38 mm Bulletproof Glass - Windshield
+
* 38 mm Bulletproof glass - Windshield
−
* 9.5 mm Steel - Behind Pilot's Head
+
* 9.5 mm Steel - Behind pilot's head
−
* 6.5 mm Steel - Pilot's Seat
+
* 6.5 mm Steel - Pilot's seat
−
* 6.5 mm Steel - In Front of Pilot
+
* 6.5 mm Steel - In front of pilot
−
* Self-Sealing Fuel Tanks
+
* Self-sealing fuel tanks
  
 
=== Modifications and economy ===
 
=== Modifications and economy ===
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== Usage in battles ==
 
== Usage in battles ==
 
<!-- ''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).'' -->
 
<!-- ''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).'' -->
−
''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 YP-38 climbs just as well as a [[Bf 109 (Family)|Bf 109]], and can make use of a 20 degree sustained climb. However, it cannot turn fight and has quite bad yaw (most likely due to it being twin-engine and having small rudders). Overall, it has bad manoeuvrability, but good acceleration due to having two engines. Make use of the flaps accordingly and you will get better or at least decent mobility in below 190 km/h speed. Due to your good climb rate and slow agility, your best tactic is to hunt bombers. Usually, at this BR, bombers do not climb high or try to speed bomb, bringing them to a low final altitude. You can use your .50 cals and 7.62 mm MGs to shoot out their engines, but it is better to take careful aim and use the 37 mm as its HE shell is quite potent. Depending on armour, it can take 1 to 2, even 3 hits to rip a wing or the fuselage using the HE only belt. These shells have quite slow muzzle velocity compared to MGs but it is worth the time in practising to aim them well as it takes out fighters and twin-engine interceptors like the [[Bf 110 (Family)|Bf 110s]] or [[Me 410 (Family)|Me 410s]] with a single shot. Against other fighters, it is recommended to fly a Boom and Zoom tactic to any engagement you see fit.
  
 
=== Manual Engine Control ===
 
=== Manual Engine Control ===
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=== Pros and cons ===
 
=== Pros and cons ===
 
<!-- ''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".'' -->
 
<!-- ''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".'' -->
−
''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:'''
  
−
*
+
* Good climb rate
 +
* Equipped with a 37 mm cannon
 +
* The 37 mm HE shell can take out heavy targets with one shot
  
 
'''Cons:'''
 
'''Cons:'''
  
−
*
+
* Not very manoeuvrable
 +
* Large target
 +
* The 37 mm cannon has poor ballistics
  
 
== 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 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).'' -->
 
<!-- ''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).'' -->
−
After the loss of the XP-38 in 1939, the program still showed great potential and, on April 27, 1939 a Limited Procurement Order was placed for thirteen test aircraft. Given serials 39-689-701, the aircraft were designated model 122-62-02 and had many similarities to the final P-38G. Redesigned with Allison V-1710-27/29 (F2R and F2L) boasting 1,150HP and also equipped with B-2 Turbo-Superchargers they featured Spur Reduction Gearing as opposed to the former Epicylical Gearing found on the XP-38. This caused the engines thrust line to be raised upwards, as well the propellers were ,Outward-Rotating rather than Inward-Rotating. (The port propeller rotated Counter-Clockwise when seen from the rear, and the starboard Clockwise). This gave much stability when firing the guns and allowed the aircraft to be a much more effective combat aircraft.
+
After the loss of the XP-38 in 1939, the program still showed great potential and, on April 27, 1939 a Limited Procurement Order was placed for thirteen test aircraft. Given serials 39-689-701, the aircraft were designated model 122-62-02 and had many similarities to the final P-38G. Redesigned with Allison V-1710-27/29 (F2R and F2L) boasting 1,150 HP and also equipped with B-2 Turbo-Superchargers they featured Spur Reduction Gearing as opposed to the former Epicylical Gearing found on the XP-38. This caused the engines thrust line to be raised upwards, as well the propellers were ,Outward-Rotating rather than Inward-Rotating. (The port propeller rotated Counter-Clockwise when seen from the rear, and the starboard Clockwise). This gave much stability when firing the guns and allowed the aircraft to be a much more effective combat aircraft.
  
−
The aircraft's chin-mounted intake under the propeller spinner was also replaced by a pair of cooling intakes, as well as enlarged radiators on both sides of the tail booms. The armament was also revised, substituting two 0.30in. machine guns with two of the four 0.50in. machine guns, and the 37mm Browning M9 was exchanged for a 20mm cannon. With all of the guns mounted in the nose, with the 0.50in. guns mounted above the 0.30in., some YP-38s were observed to have permanent gun enclosure tubes protecting the two 0.50in guns, with flush plates to cover the remaining gun ports. In reality, most of the YP-38s flew unarmed, and due to the structural redesigning, the aircraft was lighter than the XP-38 at 14,348lbs.
+
The aircraft's chin-mounted intake under the propeller spinner was also replaced by a pair of cooling intakes, as well as enlarged radiators on both sides of the tail booms. The armament was also revised, substituting two 0.30 in. machine guns with two of the four 0.50in. machine guns, and the 37 mm Browning M9 was exchanged for a 20 mm cannon. With all of the guns mounted in the nose, with the 0.50in. guns mounted above the 0.30in., some YP-38s were observed to have permanent gun enclosure tubes protecting the two 0.50in guns, with flush plates to cover the remaining gun ports. In reality, most of the YP-38s flew unarmed, and due to the structural redesigning, the aircraft was lighter than the XP-38 at 14,348 lbs.
  
−
On September 16, 1940 the first YP-38 took off with Marshall Headle at the controls, and in March 1940 the Army received it's first YP-38 for trials. With production severely lagging behind, all YP-38 aircraft weren't completed until June of 1941. The aircraft had a maximum speed of 405 Miles per Hour, at 10,000ft, and an altitude of 20,000ft could be achieved in just six minuted from takeoff. With this, the aircraft was exceptional, but had a flaw not seen until it was too late.
+
On September 16, 1940 the first YP-38 took off with Marshall Headle at the controls, and in March 1940 the Army received it's first YP-38 for trials. With production severely lagging behind, all YP-38 aircraft weren't completed until June of 1941. The aircraft had a maximum speed of 405 mph, at 10,000 ft, and an altitude of 20,000 ft could be achieved in just six minuted from takeoff. With this, the aircraft was exceptional, but had a flaw not seen until it was too late.
  
 
The aircraft encountered problems in which, during trials, tail buffet was severe in High Speed Dives. This all came to a head on November 4th, 1941, when Lockheed test pilot Ralph B. Virden took off with the intent to put aircraft 39-689 into High Speed Dive tests. During a dive, the aircraft lost it's tail booms and impacted into the kitchen of a house in Glendale, California, killing Ralph and destroying the aircraft. The accident was initially falsely diagnosed as Elevator Flutter but was soon later solved by the addition of large Wing-Root Fillets at the points where the wings joined the fuselage. The new repair had to be done very specific and precise, as failure of a tight fit would severely impact flight characteristics.
 
The aircraft encountered problems in which, during trials, tail buffet was severe in High Speed Dives. This all came to a head on November 4th, 1941, when Lockheed test pilot Ralph B. Virden took off with the intent to put aircraft 39-689 into High Speed Dive tests. During a dive, the aircraft lost it's tail booms and impacted into the kitchen of a house in Glendale, California, killing Ralph and destroying the aircraft. The accident was initially falsely diagnosed as Elevator Flutter but was soon later solved by the addition of large Wing-Root Fillets at the points where the wings joined the fuselage. The new repair had to be done very specific and precise, as failure of a tight fit would severely impact flight characteristics.
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<!-- ''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=yp-38 Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]
 +
 +
;Videos
 
{{Youtube-gallery|cCT7uPFabJ0|'''War Thunder - YP-38 "The 37mm Lighting!"''' - ''Bo Time Gaming''|w-wm2xukzOI|'''YP-38 Lightning Review''' - ''Jaguara333''}}
 
{{Youtube-gallery|cCT7uPFabJ0|'''War Thunder - YP-38 "The 37mm Lighting!"''' - ''Bo Time Gaming''|w-wm2xukzOI|'''YP-38 Lightning Review''' - ''Jaguara333''}}
  
 
== 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.''
−
;<nowiki>Other P-38 vehicles:</nowiki>
 
−
* [[P-38E]]
 
−
* [[XP-38G]] - The plane the '''{{PAGENAME}}''' replaced.
 
−
* [[P-38G-1]]
 
−
* [[P-38J-15]]
 
−
* [[Bong's P-38J-15]]
 
−
* [[P-38K]]
 
−
* [[P-38L-5-LO]]
 
  
 
== 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://www.lockheedmartin.com/en-us/news/features/history/p-38.html [Lockheed Martin<nowiki>]</nowiki> The P-38: When Lightning Strikes] ([https://web.archive.org/web/20210420152142/https://www.lockheedmartin.com/en-us/news/features/history/p-38.html Web Archive])
 
* [https://www.lockheedmartin.com/en-us/news/features/history/p-38.html [Lockheed Martin<nowiki>]</nowiki> The P-38: When Lightning Strikes] ([https://web.archive.org/web/20210420152142/https://www.lockheedmartin.com/en-us/news/features/history/p-38.html Web Archive])
  
Line 179: Line 186:
 
* [https://www.456fis.org/P-38_HISTORY.htm A Brief History of the P-38 "Lightning"] ([https://web.archive.org/web/20210420152225/https://www.456fis.org/P-38_HISTORY.htm Web Archive])
 
* [https://www.456fis.org/P-38_HISTORY.htm A Brief History of the P-38 "Lightning"] ([https://web.archive.org/web/20210420152225/https://www.456fis.org/P-38_HISTORY.htm Web Archive])
 
* [https://www.thisdayinaviation.com/tag/lockheed-yp-38-lightning/ This Day in Aviation - Lockheed YP-38 Lightning Archives] ([https://web.archive.org/web/20210420152236/https://www.thisdayinaviation.com/tag/lockheed-yp-38-lightning/ Web Archive])
 
* [https://www.thisdayinaviation.com/tag/lockheed-yp-38-lightning/ This Day in Aviation - Lockheed YP-38 Lightning Archives] ([https://web.archive.org/web/20210420152236/https://www.thisdayinaviation.com/tag/lockheed-yp-38-lightning/ Web Archive])
 +
* [https://archive.org/details/PilotTrainingManualP38/page/n1/mode/2up/ AAF Manual 51-127-1 - Pilot Training Manual for the Lightning P-38]
  
 
{{AirManufacturer Lockheed}}
 
{{AirManufacturer Lockheed}}
 
{{USA twin-engine fighters}}
 
{{USA twin-engine fighters}}
 
{{USA premium aircraft}}
 
{{USA premium aircraft}}

Latest revision as of 20:19, 13 April 2024

Rank 7 USA
F-5C Pack
This page is about the American twin-engine fighter YP-38. For other versions, see P-38 (Family).
YP-38
yp-38.png
GarageImage YP-38.jpg
YP-38
USA flag.png USA
II Rank
Battle rating:
AB RB SB
2.3 3.0 3.0
Class:
PREMIUM
Purchase:Bundle or Gift
Show in game

Description

The YP-38 was developed after the loss of the only XP-38. It was intended to be a pre-production aircraft fitted with armament; two 7.62 mm machine guns, two 12.7 mm machine guns, and one 37 mm cannon. All were to be mounted in the nose however some YP-38s never received their weaponry. The YP-38 managed to shave off over 14,000 lbs (6,350 kg) from the original XP-38. In addition, the YP-38 also had its propellor direction reversed (outward rather than inwards) which greatly improved stability when firing the guns. In late 1940, the first YP-38s were completed and were later sent to the U.S. Army. Although it was redesigned and significantly lost weight, the YP-38 had major issues with high-speed dives. During a test flight, a YP-38 broke up during a high-speed dive and subsequently killed the pilot. It would take Lockheed two years to find out the true source of the issue during wind tunnel testing.

The YP-38 was introduced in Update "Raining Fire" and replaced the XP-38G. The YP-38 was later removed from the store in the 2023 Summer sale. Although with a troubled history, the YP-38 is a decent aircraft in-game. Firstly, all of the guns are mounted in the nose which greatly helps with accuracy. However, the guns are quite limited on ammo, so using them sparingly is important. The YP-38 can also climb well and is decently controllable at around 500 km/h (312 mph). Unfortunately, just like in real life, the YP-38 in-game suffers from high-speed manoeuvrability and can easily overspeed. The YP-38 is also limited in ground striking as it lacks any bombs/rockets and sufficient ammo for its guns.

General info

Flight performance

Max speed
at 7 012 m635 km/h
Turn time23 s
Max altitude12 192 m
EngineAllison V-1710-29
TypeInline
Cooling systemWater
Take-off weight8 t
Characteristics Max Speed
(km/h at 7,012 m) 		Max altitude
(metres) 		Turn time
(seconds) 		Rate of climb
(metres/second) 		Take-off run
(metres)
AB RB AB RB AB RB
Stock 613 596 12192 24.0 24.9 10.7 10.7 380
Upgraded 659 635 22.0 23.0 16.7 13.5

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 + -
790 289 566 495 250 ~10 ~6
Optimal velocities (km/h)
Ailerons Rudder Elevators Radiator
< 380 < 460 < 500 > 420

Survivability and armour

Crew1 person
Speed of destruction
Structural790 km/h
Gear289 km/h

The pilot has moderate armour protection, but other modules are vulnerable; the critical modules have no armour protection, as the armour is focused solely on the pilot. Because the two engines are on either side of the pilot they could absorb several bullets for the pilot if the enemy comes from the side.

  • 38 mm Bulletproof glass - Windshield
  • 9.5 mm Steel - Behind pilot's head
  • 6.5 mm Steel - Pilot's seat
  • 6.5 mm Steel - In front of pilot
  • Self-sealing fuel tanks

Modifications and economy

Repair cost
AB1 502 Sl icon.png
RB6 181 Sl icon.png
SB1 415 Sl icon.png
Crew training6 900 Sl icon.png
Experts46 000 Sl icon.png
Aces320 Ge icon.png
Research Aces500 000 Rp icon.png
Reward for battleAB / RB / SB
Talisman.png 2 × 70 / 230 / 240 % Sl icon.png
Talisman.png 2 × 130 / 130 / 130 % 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 metanol.png
Engine injection
Mods armor frame.png
Airframe
Mods armor cover.png
Cover
Mods ammo.png
bmg30_belt_pack
Mod arrow 0.png
Mods ammo.png
m4_belt_pack
Mod arrow 1.png
Mods weapon.png
bmg30_new_gun
Mods ammo.png
bmg50_belt_pack
Mod arrow 0.png
Mods weapon.png
m4_new_gun
Mods weapon.png
bmg50_new_gun

Armaments

Offensive armament

Weapon 137 mm M4 cannon
Ammunition15 rounds
Fire rate150 shots/min
Weapon 22 x 12.7 mm M2 Browning machine gun
Ammunition400 rounds
Fire rate750 shots/min
Weapon 32 x 7.62 mm Browning machine gun
Ammunition1 000 rounds
Fire rate1 000 shots/min
Main articles: M4 (37 mm), M2 Browning (12.7 mm), Browning (7.62 mm)

The YP-38 is armed with:

  • 1 x 37 mm M4 cannon, nose-mounted (15 rpg)
  • 2 x 12.7 mm M2 Browning machine guns, nose-mounted (200 rpg = 400 total)
  • 2 x 7.62 mm Browning machine guns, nose-mounted (500 rpg = 1,000 total)

Usage in battles

The YP-38 climbs just as well as a Bf 109, and can make use of a 20 degree sustained climb. However, it cannot turn fight and has quite bad yaw (most likely due to it being twin-engine and having small rudders). Overall, it has bad manoeuvrability, but good acceleration due to having two engines. Make use of the flaps accordingly and you will get better or at least decent mobility in below 190 km/h speed. Due to your good climb rate and slow agility, your best tactic is to hunt bombers. Usually, at this BR, bombers do not climb high or try to speed bomb, bringing them to a low final altitude. You can use your .50 cals and 7.62 mm MGs to shoot out their engines, but it is better to take careful aim and use the 37 mm as its HE shell is quite potent. Depending on armour, it can take 1 to 2, even 3 hits to rip a wing or the fuselage using the HE only belt. These shells have quite slow muzzle velocity compared to MGs but it is worth the time in practising to aim them well as it takes out fighters and twin-engine interceptors like the Bf 110s or Me 410s with a single shot. Against other fighters, it is recommended to fly a Boom and Zoom tactic to any engagement you see fit.

Manual Engine Control

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

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Good climb rate
  • Equipped with a 37 mm cannon
  • The 37 mm HE shell can take out heavy targets with one shot

Cons:

  • Not very manoeuvrable
  • Large target
  • The 37 mm cannon has poor ballistics

History

After the loss of the XP-38 in 1939, the program still showed great potential and, on April 27, 1939 a Limited Procurement Order was placed for thirteen test aircraft. Given serials 39-689-701, the aircraft were designated model 122-62-02 and had many similarities to the final P-38G. Redesigned with Allison V-1710-27/29 (F2R and F2L) boasting 1,150 HP and also equipped with B-2 Turbo-Superchargers they featured Spur Reduction Gearing as opposed to the former Epicylical Gearing found on the XP-38. This caused the engines thrust line to be raised upwards, as well the propellers were ,Outward-Rotating rather than Inward-Rotating. (The port propeller rotated Counter-Clockwise when seen from the rear, and the starboard Clockwise). This gave much stability when firing the guns and allowed the aircraft to be a much more effective combat aircraft.

The aircraft's chin-mounted intake under the propeller spinner was also replaced by a pair of cooling intakes, as well as enlarged radiators on both sides of the tail booms. The armament was also revised, substituting two 0.30 in. machine guns with two of the four 0.50in. machine guns, and the 37 mm Browning M9 was exchanged for a 20 mm cannon. With all of the guns mounted in the nose, with the 0.50in. guns mounted above the 0.30in., some YP-38s were observed to have permanent gun enclosure tubes protecting the two 0.50in guns, with flush plates to cover the remaining gun ports. In reality, most of the YP-38s flew unarmed, and due to the structural redesigning, the aircraft was lighter than the XP-38 at 14,348 lbs.

On September 16, 1940 the first YP-38 took off with Marshall Headle at the controls, and in March 1940 the Army received it's first YP-38 for trials. With production severely lagging behind, all YP-38 aircraft weren't completed until June of 1941. The aircraft had a maximum speed of 405 mph, at 10,000 ft, and an altitude of 20,000 ft could be achieved in just six minuted from takeoff. With this, the aircraft was exceptional, but had a flaw not seen until it was too late.

The aircraft encountered problems in which, during trials, tail buffet was severe in High Speed Dives. This all came to a head on November 4th, 1941, when Lockheed test pilot Ralph B. Virden took off with the intent to put aircraft 39-689 into High Speed Dive tests. During a dive, the aircraft lost it's tail booms and impacted into the kitchen of a house in Glendale, California, killing Ralph and destroying the aircraft. The accident was initially falsely diagnosed as Elevator Flutter but was soon later solved by the addition of large Wing-Root Fillets at the points where the wings joined the fuselage. The new repair had to be done very specific and precise, as failure of a tight fit would severely impact flight characteristics.

Ralph B. Virden

Born 11, June 1898 in Audobon Township, IL, he was the second child of Hiram R. Virden, a farmer, and Nancy Carrie Ivy Virden. He attended Bradley Polytechnic Institute in Peoria, IL and, on 15, October 1918 at the age of 17, enlisted in the US. Army. With the end of WWI less than a month later, he was quickly discharged, and in 1919 he married Florence L McCullers. Having two children, Kathryn and Ralph Jr., Kathryn unfortunately having passed at the age of 10 in 1930.

In the mid-1920s, Virden flew as a contract mail pilot, holding pilot No. 628, and was employed by Gilmore Aviation and Pacific Air Transport, and for 13 years flew also as a pilot for United Air Lines. In 1939, having racked up over 15,000 flight hours, he was employed by the Lockheed Corporation as a test pilot. Now living in North Hollywood with his son, Ralph Jr., who was also employed at Lockheed, he would unfortunately lose his life in an accident on 4, November 1939 when the tail booms of his Lockheed YP-38 test aircraft, 39-689, separated from the aircraft during a high speed dive test over Glendale, California. Ralph Jr, after the death of his father, would go on to join the United States Navy in WWII.

Crash of 39-689

On November, 4 1941, during a flight over Glendale, California, Lockheed Test Pilot Ralph B. Virden pushed the nose of aircraft 39-689 down to conduct a High Speed Dive test. While in the dive, the aircraft approached what today is known as Critical Mach Number, resulting is air-flow over the wings to reach Transonic speeds and forming shockwaves that interrupted lift causing a portion of the wing to stall. During the dive, the speed reached too great and, in turn, caused the tail booms to separate. Thereafter, the aircraft impacted the house of Glendale resident Jack Jensen at 1147 Elm Street, killing Ralph and igniting a fire. The tail was eventually located several blocks away.

Following the accident, Lockheed, the U.S. Air Corps, and the National Advisory Committee on Aeronautics (NACA) undertook an extensive testing program for the P-38.

Media

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War Thunder - YP-38 "The 37mm Lighting!" - Bo Time Gaming
YP-38 Lightning Review - Jaguara333

See also

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;
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External links

References


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
Strike Aircraft  F-117
Export / License  A-29 · ▄Hudson Mk V
  ␗P-38L-1
  ␗F-104A · ▀F-104G · ␗F-104G · ▄F-104G · ▅F-104J · ▄F-104S
  The Lockheed Corporation merged with Martin Marietta Corporation in 1995 to form Lockheed Martin Corporation.
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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