WI P-38 Lightnings in RAF service?

[yulzari]

The RAF Lightning didn't have the turbochargers resulting in an underpowered machine (it underperformed by 100mph!). Also they were worried by the tail flutter.
The USAAC only used the order as trainers which says something!

As I understand it the French and British original orders were seeking commonality with the Allison engines of the P40s they were also ordering and wanted early delivery so were cautious about turbochargers delaying this. I think the tail flutter was found well after the orders were put in. Essentially they were the same aeroplanes but with British or French instruments, radios etc. If they were to destroy bombers then a medium altitude would have them able to reach laden Luftwaffe bombers.

So, how can P38s be in production by the end of 1939? Any cunning plans?

 

[b0ned0me]

were cautious about turbochargers delaying this

The turbos would certainly have delayed things as the US would not issue an export licence for such a critical piece of technology. So it was a choice between non-turbo engines or no engines....

 

[Just Leo]

The aircraft that could more easily have been the British Lightning was also designed with the advantages of handed propellers. However, R-R didn't want to build the engines, so they certainly didn't want to build handed engines.

 

[phx1138]

For me I cannot see a POD that would get a P38 into RAF service in 1940 without ASB tendencies. I welcome a POD that might do the trick plausibly.

I'm not seeing a flaw in this one. If the development program is 2yr ahead of OTL schedule, doesn't the OTL Brit order arrive in time?

The Defiant radar was operated by the pilot so would work for a single seater

That was my big question. What I've read suggests radar was too hard to use for a single-seater. The P-38 would (or could be adapted to) accommodate a second seat. Its success as a NF would seem to encourage AAF purchases...

The order was aligned with the French order so that the engines would match the P40s that were being ordered by both countries.

That would seem to be a stumbling block for high-altitude escort use. OTOH, given the need, & given the P-38 has the range, does this encourage RAF to develop better superchargers for the V1710s, which can also be used in P-40s (&, if they're built, Allison 'stangs?)? If that happens, does it butterfly the Merlin 'stang?

 

[Driftless]

The 1944 P-38M two-seat Nightfighter

From Aviation History Online

In early 1943, two P-38Fs were modified as single-seat night fighters by the 5th Air Force and were equipped with SCR540 radar with a yagi directional antenna on the nose, on both sides of the central fuselage and above and below the wings. Later on, three more P-38Js were modified in the field as experimental night-fighters.

Finally in 1944, Lockheed converted a P-38L-5 as a two-seat night-fighter. The prototype was designated as the P-38M and was equipped with AN/APS-6 radar in a radome pod beneath the nose. Radio equipment had to be relocated and the machine guns were equipped with anti-flash muzzles. It had a top speed of 406 mph and after successful trials, an order was given to Lockheed to convert an additional 75 P-38L-5s to P-38Ms. The aircraft were painted glossy black and entered service just before the end of the war.8

 

[Just Leo]

A Lightning Special, the Swordfish, was a two-seater that didn't require the back seater to ring bells at Notre Dame. It was built to test airfoils.

 

[Driftless]

A Lightning Special, the Swordfish, was a two-seater that didn't require the back seater to ring bells at Notre Dame. It was built to test airfoils.

Yeah, the "L" nightfighter version backseat looks to be a bit... cozy...., expecially with a nice warm Radar CRT in your lap, along with it's controls. The operators feet had to be in the pilots kidneys for much of the flight.

 

[phx1138]

A Lightning Special, the Swordfish, was a two-seater that didn't require the back seater to ring bells at Notre Dame. It was built to test airfoils.

Yep, that would do it. (Might also have the pitter facing backward...)

 

[Just Leo]

Yep, that would do it. (Might also have the pitter facing backward...)

The RIO sits facing forward with his back against the main spar.

 

[phx1138]

The RIO sits facing forward with his back against the main spar.

Yeah, but looking at that setup, it might make more sense to turn him around...