Profile image

Lockheed P-38 Lightning (improved)

25.2k A5mod3us  9.3 years ago
269 downloads
No Tags
Auto Credit Based on A5mod3us's Lockheed P-38 Lightning

So, ultimately I was unhappy with the last version. The proportions were all wrong. This is not just an adjusted model. I stripped everything down to the wing-roots and center fuselage.

The tail booms, engine housings, wings, horizontal and vertical stabilizers, EVERYTHING has been rebuilt from the center fuselage out. Ultimately, this one seems more proportional to the real thing. I even added streamlined intakes on the engines to resemble the P-38G and earlier models.

The only thing that really bugs me about this one is the rear landing-gear placement. I had to move them further back so there'd be more weight on the nose-gear when landing. Before, when the gear were placed directly under the wings like the real thing, even though they were behind the COM, the plane would wipe-out every time I landed, even if I touched down REALLY lightly. Now, as long as you don't yaw right after landing, and you make a nice, smooth touchdown, it'll roll nice and straight, and you can apply brakes liberally to slow down. Once you're around 35mph in speed, you can steer without fear of losing control.

VTOL slider for stall recovery flaps (aka air-brakes).

I hope y'all like this version more than the last one. I'm not usually a perfectionist with planes, but the P-38 is my all-time favorite WWII fighter, and I didn't feel right leaving well-enough alone, y'know?

Anyway, HAPPY FLYING!

General Characteristics

  • Predecessor Lockheed P-38 Lightning
  • Successors 2 airplane(s)
  • Created On Windows
  • Wingspan 37.5ft (11.4m)
  • Length 30.0ft (9.1m)
  • Height 10.4ft (3.2m)
  • Empty Weight 4,458lbs (2,022kg)
  • Loaded Weight 11,183lbs (5,072kg)

Performance

  • Horse Power/Weight Ratio 0.178
  • Wing Loading 44.4lbs/ft2 (216.7kg/m2)
  • Wing Area 251.9ft2 (23.4m2)
  • Drag Points 2859

Parts

  • Number of Parts 84
  • Control Surfaces 20
  • Performance Cost 367
  • Log in to leave a comment
  • Profile image
    @A5mod3us lol, don't compare it to mine, pls XD
    9.3 years ago
  • Profile image
    12.7k Austinowen
    Very nice
    9.3 years ago
  • Profile image
    25.2k A5mod3us
    @AndrewGarrison Sounds great! I'm glad my plane was able to help in some small way.
    9.3 years ago
  • Profile image
    9,382 FlOu
    Looks awesome
    9.3 years ago
  • Profile image
    @A5mod3us The wheel physics is definitely not right and this is a great test case. I'm working on improving this today and this plane should be a lot more stable in the final version. In fact, I've moved the rear wheels forward a bit and it still feels very stable.
    9.3 years ago
  • Profile image
    25.2k A5mod3us
    @Dewmeister Yeah. I was going off the Wikipedia which states the G model was the first to use the new intercoolers. But the picture of the G model has the smaller intakes. I suppose that makes sense then. I'll correct the description on my lunch break.
    9.3 years ago
  • Profile image
    Nice! She's much better looking! One small thing though - the streamlined under chin intake is actually characteristic of the early model Lightnings. Starting with the P-38J, the turbo intercooler was moved in with the oil intercoolers under the propeller, resulting in the "big chin" look.
    9.3 years ago
  • Profile image
    4,485 ramjet
    A great American fighter
    9.3 years ago
  • Profile image
    25.2k A5mod3us
    @Authros Thanks! That means a lot :D
    9.3 years ago
  • Profile image
    25.2k kikasshes
    Really scary to land, but otherwise: perfection!
    9.3 years ago
  • Profile image
    72.5k Authros
    It's not an easy plane to replicate, especially the angle of the wing. This looks spot in to me.
    9.3 years ago
  • Profile image
    18.6k Teus
    It's beautiful :')
    9.3 years ago
  • Profile image
    25.2k A5mod3us
    @AndrewGarrison Thanks for stopping by. Always an honor to see a rating from one of the devs :D
    9.3 years ago
  • Profile image
    25.2k A5mod3us
    Yeah, I can do that. How short and how thin?
    9.3 years ago
  • Profile image
    3,690 LjSpike
    @A5mod3us are you able to edit parts (like weird sized nosecones)? It's because I need a really thin cylinder fuselage block (for gun barrels) and a really short (length) one.
    9.3 years ago
  • Profile image
    25.2k A5mod3us
    @Ljspike Superchargers :D Or at least as close as I can come to replicating them.
    9.3 years ago
  • Profile image
    25.2k A5mod3us
    @Verdnan As I said in the description, this is my all-time favorite fighter WWII fighter. The last version wasn't nearly perfect in my eyes, and even this one has a couple of minor issues, like the rear landing gear I mentioned. Later, after I've let this model rest a bit, I may return and add more detail and correct some of the minor flaws. I'm glad you approve though! Or at least I assume you do based on your rating ~_^
    9.3 years ago
  • Profile image
    3,690 LjSpike
    I love the grey details
    9.3 years ago
  • Profile image
    5,521 Verdnan
    Kinda hard to improve on perfection.
    9.3 years ago