P-38 and Carrier Suitability

[NARSES2]

oooh that's nice

[rickshaw]

Never was overly fond of the P-38 but that model merely confirms for me how fugly it is.   

[KJ_Lesnick]

RussC

The Grumman Skyrocket twin was not much smaller than a 38' though.

Not really, the P-38 was 9'1" longer, 10" larger in wingspan; 4,693 lbs heavier empty, 7,362 lbs at combat weight, and 10,700 pounds heavier when fully loaded (almost twice the weight of an F5F).  Spot-factor might have been an issue too as the spacing of the engine pods might have been further out than the F5F.

Biggest was the TBM Avenger. Of course B-25's were flown off the Hornet, not landed.

Technically there was a design called the TBY that was to weigh around 18,450 so probably the maximum operating weights would probably be at least that much.


rickshaw

Never was overly fond of the P-38 but that model merely confirms for me how fugly it is.   

I thought of the P-38 as being kind of funky, but in a kind of cool way.

[MAD]

Sorry, these were already second hand, so no credit here 

Cool!!

[CanisD]

Found it...
http://www.aircraftresourcecenter.com/Gal2/1301-1400/Gal1333_XFV-1_Mucaro/00.shtm

[tigercat]

I've always liked the idea of a  Carrierer based Black Widow. The Tigercat  operated off carriers for at least one variantt and that must have been a big beast.

[scooter]

I've always liked the idea of a  Carrierer based Black Widow. The Tigercat  operated off carriers for at least one variantt and that must have been a big beast.

F7F-4Ns during Korea, in night interdiction roles.  Only 12 or 13 built.

F7F-4N Tigercat (For Essex/Midway Class Operations)
Length: 45 ft 4 in (13.8 m)
Wingspan: 51 ft 6 in (15.7 m)
Height: 16 ft 7 in (5.1 m)
Wing area: 455 ft² (42.3 m²)
Empty weight: 16,270 lb (7,380 kg)
Max takeoff weight: 25,720 lb (11,670 kg)

And, for point of Reference, the P-38L specifications:
Length: 37 ft 10 in (11.53 m) (11.53 m)
Wingspan: 52 ft 0 in (15.85 m) (15.85 m)
Height: 12 ft 10 in (3.91 m) (3.91 m)
Wing area: 327.5 ft² (30.43 m²)
Empty weight: 12,800 lb (5,800 kg)
Loaded weight: 17,500 lb (7,940 kg)
Max takeoff weight: 21,600 lb (9,798 kg)

[famvburg]

     Not 'that' big. the P-61 was about the size of a B-25 & the other twin engined bombers. However, considering the takeoff performance the P-61 had, for its size, it wouldn't have been a bad candidate is my guess.

I've always liked the idea of a  Carrierer based Black Widow. The Tigercat  operated off carriers for at least one variantt and that must have been a big beast.

[wagnersm]

I've been amused by the US Navy's dislike for liquid cooled engines in airplanes. 

Especially as one of the first uses of the V12 Allison, a B model, were on the USN Airships Akron and Macon.

Steve

[jcf]

I've been amused by the US Navy's dislike for liquid cooled engines in airplanes. 

Especially as one of the first uses of the V12 Allison, a B model, were on the USN Airships Akron and Macon.

Steve

Well, their dislike was based on operational experience with the liquid cooled Boeing FB and Curtiss F6C series
aircraft. They didn't like the added weight and maintenance complexity.

Anyhow, an airship is an entirely different kettle-of-fish than a single-engined carrier based airplane.

[RussC]

I've always liked the idea of a  Carrierer based Black Widow. The Tigercat  operated off carriers for at least one variantt and that must have been a big beast.

And the AJ2P Savage was in the same weight class as a P-61, and the later S2 Trackers. What would really have looked fine would be the photo-rec version of the widow- the F-15 Reporter, in Navy dark blue.

[famvburg]

     I didn't realize the AJ was similar weight to the P-61. Of course, it did have a jet engine in back to help it along, too.

I've always liked the idea of a  Carrierer based Black Widow. The Tigercat  operated off carriers for at least one variantt and that must have been a big beast.

And the AJ2P Savage was in the same weight class as a P-61, and the later S2 Trackers. What would really have looked fine would be the photo-rec version of the widow- the F-15 Reporter, in Navy dark blue.

[scooter]

I've been amused by the US Navy's dislike for liquid cooled engines in airplanes. 

Especially as one of the first uses of the V12 Allison, a B model, were on the USN Airships Akron and Macon.

Steve

Well, their dislike was based on operational experience with the liquid cooled Boeing FB and Curtiss F6C series
aircraft. They didn't like the added weight and maintenance complexity.

Anyhow, an airship is an entirely different kettle-of-fish than a single-engined carrier based airplane.

Especially one that could be coming back with battle damage.  How many P-47s got back to base missing half their engine versus the number of P-51s with leaking glycol?  I can see a liquid cooled twin but not single in the Navy

[Cliffy B]

And the AJ2P Savage was in the same weight class as a P-61, and the later S2 Trackers. What would really have looked fine would be the photo-rec version of the widow- the F-15 Reporter, in Navy dark blue.

A GSB reporter huh?  Found this on the net awhile back, nice collection of postwar USN RWs and Whiffs  

http://bathead.com/modelaircraft.html



She does look nice doesn't she?  Now all she needs is folded wings and a tail hook  

[RussC]

There we are ! And the back of the center pod could have held a J-47 for that little extra zoom too.