The P-38 ... again =D (in this episode: top speed of P-38F)

Yo! I've recently run some top speed trials with the P-38F (using the training arena and FH 1.67, of course). Now, most sources I've seen state that the P-38F could reach a speed of 395 mph @ 25,000 feet (635 km/h @ 7585 meters). Unfortunately, our P-38F falls a bit short of those specs.

Here are my results (speeds measured using the .showdata command):

MIL: 603.2 km/h (374.9 mph)
WEP: 611.49 km/h (380 mph)

The MIL speed reading was taken when I had between 55 and 60% fuel left. WEP speed was taken at around 50% fuel left. I did take off with 100%, but airstart was disabled so I had to use up a lot of fuel just getting to the test altitude.

The speeds I stated really are the fastest the plane would go. I made sure I'd wait until the speed readout didn't change anymore for a full minute.

 

can you show fhl max speeds of p-38 foxtrot at several altitudes, say 100ft, 5000ft, 10000ft, 15000ft, 20000ft, 25000ft, 30000ft?
and quote most sources showing developers which differences we have in detail?

 

cc, will do. I'm still in the process of testing speeds at all alts.

 

btw, where is bigjo with results?

 

For real life figures, go here: http://www.wwiiaircraftperformance.org/p-38/p-38f-tactical-trials.html

and click the Inclosure No. 2 link. On page 2 of the PDF, you can see that the tested P-38F reached a true airspeed of 392 mph at 25 kft, using a manifold pressure of 40.5 inches at 2,800 RPM (I suppose that would be our WEP setting).

 

Here's what I have so far (numbers in parentheses are the amount of fuel left when the reading was taken):

Код:

          MIL                                  WEP
00 kft    481.19 km/h = 299.06 mph (90%)       500.94 km/h = 311.37 mph (80%)
05 kft    522.26 km/h = 324.60 mph (80%)       548.33 km/h = 340.79 mph (75%)
10 kft    560.47 km/h = 348.33 mph (80%)       579.67 km/h = 360.27 mph (75%)
15 kft    587.35 km/h = 365.04 mph (75%)       604.11 km/h = 375.46 mph (65%)
20 kft    607.00 km/h = 377.25 mph (90%)       614.00 km/h = 381.60 mph (80%)
25 kft    603.20 km/h = 374.89 mph (55%)       611.49 km/h = 380.04 mph (50%)

I will edit this post to add more results later.

 

TAS?

 

Yes, TAS. If those figures were IAS, the P-38 would be a tad fast at 25 kft, don't ya think? ;P

 

I have top speed/climb tests since long time ago, but i have to do turn test, and those are quite dificult to me. I think i cannt do that test, and in mid september i must go out of my city again until mar '09. I will send you all data that i have, hoping that anyone can finish it.

 

damn...
once appeared a volunteer, he disappears at once

 

It is any regular method how to test turn speed and stall speed?

It looks like our p38 is close to mainfold pressure 38(dunno what it is, lbs per inch2?) and 2600 RPM.

 

i wrote here
http://forum.wbfree.net/forums/showthread.php?p=601981#post601981

 

38 inch column of mercury

 

THX