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P-38 Question.

Having looked at the P-38 it is pretty much all wing and gives the impression that if it all went quiet on the engine front the glide characteristics would be fairly benign. does any one have any information on this aspect of its handling? I would be very interested to know what the pilot opinion was on the matter.

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By: J Boyle - 4th August 2011 at 18:03

Didn’t Kelly Johnson design the P-38 wing, and the glider-like U2’s wing?

And possibly the postcard-size F-104 wing. :rolleyes:
Seriously, I would have thought Lockheed would have had a wing team..but Johnson certainly approved them.

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By: Al - 4th August 2011 at 17:43

Didn’t Kelly Johnson design the P-38 wing, and the glider-like U2’s wing?

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By: mike currill - 4th August 2011 at 17:30

There is a 1970’s air-air photo I’ve seen somewhere of a P38 being flown with both engines shut down for the benefit of the cameras. I guess the pilot must have felt pretty confident about the glide characteristics.

I guess I would probably be confident withthat sort of wing area keeping me aloft.

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By: Arabella-Cox - 4th August 2011 at 16:25

There is a 1970’s air-air photo I’ve seen somewhere of a P38 being flown with both engines shut down for the benefit of the cameras. I guess the pilot must have felt pretty confident about the glide characteristics.

I’ve seen a picture of a piper pawnee doing the same. All it proves is that the aircraft will glide. Most do 😀

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By: AdlerTag - 4th August 2011 at 16:19

There is a 1970’s air-air photo I’ve seen somewhere of a P38 being flown with both engines shut down for the benefit of the cameras. I guess the pilot must have felt pretty confident about the glide characteristics.

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