On 2015-08-19 21:57:18 +0000, Jess Lurkin <NiceGuy@23456.com> said:
> Charles Lindbergh <spirit@stlouis.invalid> wrote in
> news:4nq9ta1rd1gjrei2bkfgsisamk9ta2pb8s@4ax.com:
>
>> I found this article to be completely engrossing. Very well written
>> with many interesting details.
>
>
> Even before I read the article, it seems that the big
> problem was that the 38 didn't have supercharged mills
> on them while in Europe.
That was only for the P-38 "Lightning MkIs & MkIIs" ordered for the
RAF. There were two big mistakes. The first being the War Ministry
insisting that they were supplied with the same Allisons that powered
the Lend-Lease P-40s in the mistaken belief that would lead to reduced
maintenence costs. That meant the RAF P-38's did not have counter
rotating props.
Then the War Department and the USAAF did not clear the
Turbo-Superchargers fitted to the P-38s for export. That was a little
silly since the P-47, and F4U were fitted with the same
turbo-supercharger.
All the castrated lightnings were returned to the USA and converted to
training versions of the P-38E and never saw combat.
The bigger problem for 8th AF P-38s was undoubtably the poor cockpit
heating. In the SW-Pacific they found the P-38 cockpit akin to a
greenhouse and most flew in shirtsleeves and even just a T-shirt.
> All the Pacific 38s were supercharged. Thats just my
> recollection. Now I will read the article. Thanks.
--
Regards,
Savageduck
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