Difference between revisions of "Bong's P-38J-15"

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(Updated template, Specs, Battle-rating, About, armaments)
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|cockpit=355470/1203871
 
|cockpit=355470/1203871
 
}}
 
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{{Notice|''This page is about the aircraft '''{{PAGENAME}}'''. For other uses, see [[P-38_(Disambiguation)|P-38 (Disambiguation)]]''}}
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{{About
 +
| about = American twin-engine fighter '''{{PAGENAME}}'''
 +
| usage = other uses
 +
| link = P-38 (Family)
 +
}}
 +
 
 
== Description ==
 
== Description ==
−
<!--''In the description, the first part needs to 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. If the novice player does not remember the vehicle by name, he will immediately understand what kind of vehicle it 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]]
−
<!--[[File:GarageImage_{{PAGENAME}}.jpg|420px|thumb|left]]-->
+
{{break}} -->
−
{{break}}
+
'''{{Specs|name}}''' is a rank {{Specs|rank}} American twin-engine fighter {{Battle-rating}}. It was available in [[Update 1.57 "Battle March"]] to be obtained during the 2016 "Chronicles of World War II" after completing 22 "Aircraft Tasks". The plane is painted after the camouflage scheme of American pilot Richard Bong of the US Army Air Forces, who is the highest-scoring American pilot ace with 40 kill credits in a P-38.
−
'''Richard Bong's P-38J-15 Lightning''' is a Rank IV American fighter with a battle rating of 4.0 (AB) and 4.3 (RB/SB). It was available in [[Update 1.57 "Battle March"]] to be obtained during the 2016 "Chronicles of World War II" after completing 22 "Aircraft Tasks". The plane is painted after the camouflage scheme of American pilot Richard Bong of the US Army Air Forces, who is the highest-scoring American pilot ace with 40 kill credits in a P-38.
 
  
−
The P-38J is a sleekly designed, duo engine monoplane by Lockheed Martin. This plane has a top speed of 431 Mph (694 kph) with an airspeed warning at 460 Mph (740 kph). The array of weaponry, it has installed is: 1 x AN/M2 20 mm cannon with 4 x 12.7 mm Browning machine guns]]. Further-expanding the role, with upgrades, it can be equipped with either: bazooka's or bombs to further allow it to conquer and dominate the battlefield, whether that be air or ground.
+
The P-38J is a sleekly designed, twin-engine monoplane by Lockheed Martin. This plane has a top speed of 431 Mph (694 kph) with an airspeed warning at 460 Mph (740 kph). The array of weaponry it has installed is: 1 x [[AN/M2 (20 mm)|AN/M2 20 mm cannon]] with 4 x [[Browning M2 (12.7 mm)|12.7 mm Browning machine guns]]. Further-expanding the role, with upgrades, it can be equipped with either: bazooka's or bombs to further allow it to conquer and dominate the battlefield, whether that be air or ground.
  
 
== General info ==
 
== General info ==
 
=== Flight Performance ===
 
=== Flight Performance ===
−
<!--''Describe how the aircraft behaves in the air. Maximum speed, maneuverability, speed 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"
 
|-
 
|-
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! 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>(meters/second)
−
! rowspan="2" |Take-off run<br>(meters)
+
! rowspan="2" | Take-off run<br>(meters)
 
|-
 
|-
 
! AB
 
! AB
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|-
 
|-
 
! colspan="2" | Max Speed<br>(km/h at 7,921 m)
 
! colspan="2" | Max Speed<br>(km/h at 7,921 m)
−
! rowspan="2" |Max altitude (meters)
+
! rowspan="2" | Max altitude (meters)
 
! colspan="2" | Turn time (seconds)
 
! colspan="2" | Turn time (seconds)
 
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb<br>(meters/second)
 
! colspan="2" | Rate of climb<br>(meters/second)
−
! rowspan="2" |Take-off run (meters)
+
! rowspan="2" | Take-off run (meters)
 
|-
 
|-
 
! AB
 
! AB
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! WEP Engine power
 
! WEP Engine power
 
|-
 
|-
−
| 7,500 m || 2,540 hp || 2,845 hp  
+
| 7,500 m || 2,540 hp || 2,845 hp
 
|-
 
|-
 
<!--! colspan="3" | Setting 2
 
<!--! colspan="3" | Setting 2
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! WEP Engine power
 
! WEP Engine power
 
|-
 
|-
−
| ?,??? m || ?,??? hp || ?,??? hp  
+
| ?,??? m || ?,??? hp || ?,??? hp
 
|-
 
|-
 
! colspan="3" | Setting 3
 
! colspan="3" | Setting 3
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! WEP Engine power
 
! WEP Engine power
 
|-
 
|-
−
| ?,??? m || ?,??? hp || ?,??? hp  
+
| ?,??? m || ?,??? hp || ?,??? hp
 
|- -->
 
|- -->
 
|}
 
|}
  
 
=== Survivability and armour ===
 
=== Survivability and armour ===
−
<!--''Examine the survivability of the aircraft. Note how vulnerable the structure is and how secure the pilot is, whether the fuel tanks are armoured. Describe the armour, if there is any, also mention the vulnerability of other critical aircraft systems.''-->
+
<!-- ''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.'' -->
 
* 6.5 mm Steel - Fore cockpit armor plating
 
* 6.5 mm Steel - Fore cockpit armor plating
 
* 6.5 mm Steel - Pilot's seat
 
* 6.5 mm Steel - Pilot's seat
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== Armaments ==
 
== Armaments ==
 
=== Offensive armament ===
 
=== Offensive armament ===
−
<!--''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)|Browning M2 (12.7 mm)}}
  
 
'''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' is armed with:
 
'''''{{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 Browning Browning machine gun, nose-mounted (500 rpg = 2,000 total)
+
* 4 x 12.7 mm M2 Browning machine gun, nose-mounted (500 rpg = 2,000 total)
  
 
=== Suspended armament ===
 
=== Suspended armament ===
−
<!--''Describe the aircraft's suspended armament: additional cannons under the wings, bombs, rockets and torpedoes. This section is especially important for bombers and attackers. If there is no suspended weaponry remove this subsection.''-->
+
<!-- ''Describe the aircraft's suspended armament: additional cannons under the wings, bombs, rockets and torpedoes. This section is especially important for bombers and attackers. If there is no suspended weaponry remove this subsection.'' -->
 
{{main|AN-M64A1 (500 lb)|M8}}
 
{{main|AN-M64A1 (500 lb)|M8}}
  
−
'''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' can be outfitted with the following payload options:
+
'''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' can be outfitted with the following ordinance:
−
 
 
 
* Without load
 
* Without load
 
* 6 x 114 mm M8 rockets
 
* 6 x 114 mm M8 rockets
 
* 2 x 500 lb AN-M64A1 bombs (1,000 lb total)
 
* 2 x 500 lb AN-M64A1 bombs (1,000 lb total)
−
<!--
 
−
=== Defensive armament ===
 
−
''Defensive armament with turret machine guns or cannons, crewed by gunners. Examine the number of gunners and what belts or drums are better to use. If defensive weaponry is not available remove this subsection.''
 
−
-->
 
  
−
== Usage in the 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 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 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).'' -->
−
When playing the P-38J climb to a high altitude, search for the enemy, locate the enemy you feel confident in engaging.  
+
When playing the P-38J climb to a high altitude, search for the enemy, locate the enemy you feel confident in engaging.
−
Once these steps have been, ticked-off the check-list. Assuming you are above the enemy target: Put the plane into a gradual descent, which gives you and allows you to maintain the 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.  
+
Once these steps have been, ticked-off the check-list. Assuming you are above the enemy target: Put the plane into a gradual descent, which gives you and allows you to maintain the 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. Line your sights up, with your sights on the tail and fire a bust with your cannon and machine guns. You have now shot down your target. Why keeping the momentum, climb back up to the height you where before and repeat for the best results.    
+
Now you are about one to two seconds away, from your target. Line your sights up, with your sights on the tail and fire a bust with your cannon and machine guns. You have now shot down your target. Why keeping the momentum, climb back up to the height you where before and repeat for the best results.
−
       
+
 
 
'''''Ground Battles'''''<br>
 
'''''Ground Battles'''''<br>
−
Using this plane in ground battles, is very effective once you have unlocked the appropriate modules. '''FMBC Mk.1''' allows you to equip two x 500 lb bombs, these are mounted under the wings. To help get the bombs on target, use the machine guns to help predict where the bomb will fall. To do this, put the plane into a steep dive. As you near the ground and start getting closer, fire the machine guns. Using a short bust, if the bust hits the area or target you are aiming for; drop the bombs then pull up.  
+
Using this plane in ground battles, is very effective once you have unlocked the appropriate modules. '''FMBC Mk.1''' allows you to equip two x 500 lb bombs, these are mounted under the wings. To help get the bombs on target, use the machine guns to help predict where the bomb will fall. To do this, put the plane into a steep dive. As you near the ground and start getting closer, fire the machine guns. Using a short bust, if the bust hits the area or target you are aiming for; drop the bombs then pull up.
 +
 
 +
They are great for destroying, tanks, bunkers and ships. '''M10 Bazooka''' module allows you to equip your P-38J with two bazooka's each bazooka has three rockets in total you get six rockets. These are attached to the lower nose panel, and are very accurate. These are ideal for destroying tanks and bunkers.
  
−
They are great for destroying, tanks, bunkers and ships. '''M10 Bazooka''' module allows you to equip your P-38J with two bazooka's each bazooka has three rockets in total you get six rockets. These are attached to the lower nose panel, and are very accurate. These are ideal for destroying tanks and bunkers.    
+
Once the ground units have been destroyed, you can use this to plane dominate the air and keep the enemy bomber and fighters away. This will help you secure that much wanted victory!
  
−
Once the ground unit's have been destroyed, you can use this to plane dominate the air and keep the enemy bomber and fighters away. This will help you secure that much wanted victory!
 
 
===Manual Engine Control===
 
===Manual Engine Control===
 
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
 
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
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! colspan="7" | MEC elements
 
! colspan="7" | MEC elements
 
|-
 
|-
−
! rowspan="2" |Mixer
+
! rowspan="2" | Mixer
−
! rowspan="2" |Pitch
+
! rowspan="2" | Pitch
−
! colspan="3" |Radiator
+
! colspan="3" | Radiator
−
! rowspan="2" |Supercharger
+
! rowspan="2" | Supercharger
−
! rowspan="2" |Turbocharger
+
! rowspan="2" | Turbocharger
 
|-
 
|-
 
! Oil
 
! Oil
 
! Water
 
! Water
−
! Type  
+
! Type
 
|-
 
|-
−
| Controllable || rowspan="2" | Not controllable || rowspan="2" | Not controllable || rowspan="2" | Not controllable || rowspan="2" | Separate || rowspan="2" | Not ontrollable || rowspan="2" | Not controllable
+
| Controllable || rowspan="2" | Not controllable || rowspan="2" | Not controllable || rowspan="2" | Not controllable || rowspan="2" | Separate || rowspan="2" | Not controllable || rowspan="2" | Not controllable
 
|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
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===Modules===
 
===Modules===
 
{| class="wikitable"
 
{| class="wikitable"
−
!colspan = "1"| Tier
+
! colspan="1" | Tier
−
!colspan = "2"| Flight performance
+
! colspan="2" | Flight performance
−
!colspan = "1"| Survivability
+
! colspan="1" | Survivability
−
!colspan = "2"| Weaponry
+
! colspan="2" | Weaponry
 
|-
 
|-
 
| I
 
| I
 
| Fuselage Repair
 
| Fuselage Repair
 
| Radiator
 
| Radiator
−
|  
+
|
 
| Offensive 12 mm
 
| Offensive 12 mm
−
|  
+
|
 
|-
 
|-
 
| II
 
| II
−
|  
+
|
 
| Compressor
 
| Compressor
 
| Airframe
 
| Airframe
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| Wings Repair
 
| Wings Repair
 
| Engine
 
| Engine
−
|  
+
|
 
| Offensive 20 mm
 
| Offensive 20 mm
−
|  
+
|
 
|-
 
|-
 
| IV
 
| IV
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=== 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. Do not use more than 6 points for each of the characteristics. Avoid using categorical definitions such as "bad", "good" and the like - they have a substitution in the form of softer "inadequate", "effective".''-->
+
<!-- ''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".'' -->
  
 
'''Pros:'''
 
'''Pros:'''
−
* Excellent speed  
+
* Excellent speed
−
* Excellent acculturation
+
* Excellent acceleration
 
* Excellent climb rate
 
* Excellent 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 great and fearsome head on capability
 
* Multiple armament presets: Gives it a wider role it can have external Bombs or Rockets mounted
 
* Multiple armament presets: Gives it a wider role it can have external Bombs or Rockets mounted
 
* Good roll and turn time
 
* Good roll and turn time
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* Great research and sliver lion rewards
 
* Great research and sliver lion rewards
  
−
'''Cons'''
+
'''Cons:'''
 
* Wing fuel tanks, prone to fuel tank fires when shot
 
* Wing fuel tanks, prone to fuel tank fires when shot
 
* Unable to dive to put wing fires out, without breaking wings
 
* Unable to dive to put wing fires out, without breaking wings
 
* Easy to rip wings in dives, no air/drive breaks as installed on P-38L
 
* Easy to rip wings in dives, no air/drive breaks as installed on P-38L
−
* Easy to black out if crew vitality is low I.e. G-force and stamina are low
+
* Easy to black out if crew vitality is low, i.e. G-force and stamina are low
 
* Low cannon ammunition amount, compared to other planes in the tier
 
* Low cannon ammunition amount, compared to other planes in the tier
  
 
== 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 an article about the vehicle and adding a block "/ historical reference" (example: https://wiki.warthunder.com/Name-vehicles/historical reference) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to include links to sources at the end of the article.''-->
+
<!-- ''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).'' -->
 
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 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.
  
Line 260: Line 259:
 
===Survivors===
 
===Survivors===
 
Unfortunately it is estimated that only five P-38J's survive to this day. Only two of them are still airworthy.
 
Unfortunately it is estimated that only five P-38J's survive to this day. Only two of them are still airworthy.
 +
 
== Media ==
 
== Media ==
−
''An excellent addition to the article will be video guides, as well as screenshots from the game and photos.''
+
''Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.''
  
−
== Read 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.''
−
<!--''ETC.''-->
 
  
−
== Sources ==
+
== 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;''
−
* ''page on aircraft encyclopedia;''
+
* ''encyclopedia page on the aircraft;''
 
* ''other literature.''
 
* ''other literature.''
  
−
{{USA fighters}}
+
 
 +
{{USA twin-engine fighters}}

Revision as of 14:19, 23 March 2019

Rank VI USSR | Premium | Golden Eagles
Su-25K Pack
Bong's P-38J-15
p-38j_marge.png
Bong's P-38J-15
USA flag.png USA
IV Rank
Battle rating:
AB RB SB
4.0 4.3 4.0
Class:
PREMIUM
Purchase:Bundle or Gift
Show in game
This page is about the American twin-engine fighter Bong's P-38J-15. For other uses, see P-38 (Family).

Description

Richard Bong's P-38J-15 Lightning is a rank IV American twin-engine fighter with a battle rating of 4.0 (AB/SB) and 4.3 (RB). It was available in Update 1.57 "Battle March" to be obtained during the 2016 "Chronicles of World War II" after completing 22 "Aircraft Tasks". The plane is painted after the camouflage scheme of American pilot Richard Bong of the US Army Air Forces, who is the highest-scoring American pilot ace with 40 kill credits in a P-38.

The P-38J is a sleekly designed, twin-engine monoplane by Lockheed Martin. This plane has a top speed of 431 Mph (694 kph) with an airspeed warning at 460 Mph (740 kph). The array of weaponry it has installed is: 1 x AN/M2 20 mm cannon with 4 x 12.7 mm Browning machine guns. Further-expanding the role, with upgrades, it can be equipped with either: bazooka's or bombs to further allow it to conquer and dominate the battlefield, whether that be air or ground.

General info

Flight Performance

Characteristics
Stock
Max Speed
(km/h at 7,921 m) 		Max altitude
(meters) 		Turn time
(seconds) 		Rate of climb
(meters/second) 		Take-off run
(meters)
AB RB AB RB AB RB
661 651 12,192 22.9 23.4 13.7 15.9 332
Upgraded
Max Speed
(km/h at 7,921 m) 		Max altitude (meters) Turn time (seconds) Rate of climb
(meters/second) 		Take-off run (meters)
AB RB AB RB AB RB
 ?  ? 12,192  ??.?  ??.?  ?.?  ?.? 332

Details

Features
Combat flap Take-off flap Landing flap Air brakes Arrestor gear
✓ ✓ ✓ X X
Limits
Wing-break speed
(km/h) 		Gear limit
(km/h) 		Combat flap
(km/h) 		Max Static G
+ -
790 289 534 ~9 ~5
Optimal velocities
Ailerons
(km/h) 		Rudder
(km/h) 		Elevators
(km/h) 		Radiator
(km/h)
< 321 < 460 < 500 > 240
Compressor (RB/SB)
Setting 1
Optimal altitude 100% Engine power WEP Engine power
7,500 m 2,540 hp 2,845 hp

Survivability and armour

  • 6.5 mm Steel - Fore cockpit armor plating
  • 6.5 mm Steel - Pilot's seat
  • 9.5 mm Steel - Pilot's headrest
  • 38 mm Bulletproof glass - Windscreen

Armaments

Offensive armament

Main articles: AN/M2 (20 mm), Browning M2 (12.7 mm)

Bong's P-38J-15 is armed with:

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

Suspended armament

Main articles: AN-M64A1 (500 lb), M8

Bong's P-38J-15 can be outfitted with the following ordinance:

  • Without load
  • 6 x 114 mm M8 rockets
  • 2 x 500 lb AN-M64A1 bombs (1,000 lb total)

Usage in battles

When playing the P-38J climb to a high altitude, search for the enemy, locate the enemy you feel confident in engaging. Once these steps have been, ticked-off the check-list. Assuming you are above the enemy target: Put the plane into a gradual descent, which gives you and allows you to maintain the 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. Line your sights up, with your sights on the tail and fire a bust with your cannon and machine guns. You have now shot down your target. Why keeping the momentum, climb back up to the height you where before and repeat for the best results.

Ground Battles
Using this plane in ground battles, is very effective once you have unlocked the appropriate modules. FMBC Mk.1 allows you to equip two x 500 lb bombs, these are mounted under the wings. To help get the bombs on target, use the machine guns to help predict where the bomb will fall. To do this, put the plane into a steep dive. As you near the ground and start getting closer, fire the machine guns. Using a short bust, if the bust hits the area or target you are aiming for; drop the bombs then pull up.

They are great for destroying, tanks, bunkers and ships. M10 Bazooka module allows you to equip your P-38J with two bazooka's each bazooka has three rockets in total you get six rockets. These are attached to the lower nose panel, and are very accurate. These are ideal for destroying tanks and bunkers.

Once the ground units have been destroyed, you can use this to plane dominate the air and keep the enemy bomber and fighters away. This will help you secure that much wanted victory!

Manual Engine Control

MEC elements
Mixer Pitch Radiator Supercharger Turbocharger
Oil Water Type
Controllable Not controllable Not controllable Not controllable Separate Not controllable Not controllable

Modules

Tier Flight performance Survivability Weaponry
I Fuselage Repair Radiator Offensive 12 mm
II Compressor Airframe New 12 mm MGs FMBC mk.1
III Wings Repair Engine Offensive 20 mm
IV G-Suit Engine Injection Cover New 20 mm Cannons Rocket Launcher M10

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Excellent speed
  • Excellent acceleration
  • Excellent climb rate
  • Very powerful armament, great for bomber hunting
  • Armament being positioned in the nose allows it to have great and fearsome head on capability
  • Multiple armament presets: Gives it a wider role it can have external Bombs or Rockets mounted
  • Good roll and turn time
  • Good overall visibility in simulator matches
  • Great Air superiority aircraft
  • Great research and sliver lion rewards

Cons:

  • Wing fuel tanks, prone to fuel tank fires when shot
  • Unable to dive to put wing fires out, without breaking wings
  • Easy to rip wings in dives, no air/drive breaks as installed on P-38L
  • Easy to black out if crew vitality is low, i.e. G-force and stamina are low
  • Low cannon ammunition amount, compared to other planes in the tier

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 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 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.

Combat Usage

The P-38 performed very well in the Pacific and European theater's during World War II. They where used in roles such as: Bombers Escorts, Escort V.I.P's, Performing reconnaissance over enemy locations, Combat Air Patrols, Ground Attack, Search and Rescue and other important and critical roles.

Survivors

Unfortunately it is estimated that only five P-38J's survive to this day. Only two of them are still airworthy.

Media

Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.

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;
  • links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.

External links

Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:

  • topic on the official game forum;
  • encyclopedia page on the aircraft;
  • other literature.


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

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