[Guest]

Hiya we are trying to find out as much information about the P38L & wether it had a gyro gunsight or not - can anyone help us ?
thx

[Acog]

Digging through books.

Back when I can. =)

[Acog]

http://homepage.eircom.net/~frontacs/WB ... ments.html

A web based reference, I am trying to find the book in my collection that mentions this. I know for a fact it was indeed a field mod that took place quite a lot.

Will keep on digging.

[Acog]

The Mighty Eighth War Manual states the gryo sight was shipped and "installed on as many fighter types as possible". It also states the K14 and K15's were installed at the factory in all 51's.

I know I have spoke with pilots who did indeed have a K14 in their P38J10 through J25's, so I would wager it was a field mod, not a factory install.

Should it be mod'd into the J and L/Late, IMO, yes. But I'm just one man. =)

[GentleKiller]

that's some nice real info here! good job!

[Acog]

You're welcome. =) Always wanted a K14 in a L or a J model Lightning. Perhaps, just perhaps we may get one. (I can dream cant I? haha or I can really dream big and have one in all three! lol)

[Guest]

Acog
the L-3 was not a K14 gyro sight - so we cannot fit it to P38

THE GUNSIGHT VIEW

During its career, the P-38 was equipped with a variety of optical gunsights, including the Army/Navy N-3 in the P-38F through J-5 models. It was a simple reflector sight that projected a 30-mil circle around a center aiming dot or "pipper." From the P-38J-10 onward, a redesigned windscreen required a new sight and mount and that led to the Lynn Instrument Company's L-3.
All U.S. aerial sights were based on the mil system, in which one mil equals one foot at a 1,000-foot range. The 30-mil circle was useful for range estimation, as a typical single-engine fighter's wingspan was 30 to 35 feet, which filled the aiming reticle at a boresight range of 333 yards. Most Bf 109s spanned 33 feet; Zeros and Oscars spanned 36 to 37 feet. Bettys measured 82 feet; at 30 mil they ranged less than 100 yards. The IA sight, however, used a 50-mil ring with a larger pipper. After the L models had begun to carry launch rails, the L-3 also included stadia lines below the ring to compensate for rocket trajectory.

:?
sorry

[Acog]

I understand that. =)

But the K14 was field mod'ed into quite a few. Was it factory, hardly. But it was done. =)

[Skullbiscuit]

How about this



SB

[Guest]

this is really interesting to see a K14 on a P38 J ! can anyone give me any more info on this ?

[Acog]

Not that I havent already. I can get living accounts of its use in J's and limited L's, but those would take me a few weeks, and arent "published". I can dig through more of my books if you'd like.

I'd still love that in a J. =)

[dderidex]

It's also important to remember that, even outside of the K-14 in USAAF usage, many aircraft also saw service with the USN in the Pacific, where they may be fitted with the Mk18 sight (also a gyro sight).