How One Mechanic's "ABSURD" Supercharger Trick Made P-38s Climb Faster Than Any Axis Fighter скачать в хорошем качестве

How One Mechanic's "ABSURD" Supercharger Trick Made P-38s Climb Faster Than Any Axis Fighter

Discover the incredible true story of how one anonymous mechanic's unauthorized field modification transformed the P-38 Lightning from an altitude liability into a high-altitude predator that outclimbed every Axis fighter. In 1943, American P-38 pilots were being slaughtered at high altitude by German Bf 109s and Fw 190s—until a staff sergeant in North Africa bypassed the intercooler's thermostatic valve and changed aerial combat forever. This video reveals the untold story of grassroots innovation that saved hundreds of lives and forced Lockheed to redesign their flagship fighter. Learn how a simple modification improved climb rate by 15%, added 200 horsepower at altitude, and turned the Lightning into the aircraft it was always meant to be. Featuring real combat reports from Tunisia, detailed mechanical explanations, and the shocking bureaucratic resistance that almost killed the innovation. From the 1st Fighter Group's first victories to the P-38J and L models that dominated the skies, this is the story of how field ingenuity beat engineering orthodoxy. SOURCES "Fork-Tailed Devil: The P-38" by Martin Caidin (1971) - Comprehensive P-38 operational history including technical modifications and field innovations "Lockheed P-38 Lightning: The Definitive Story of Lockheed's P-38 Fighter" by Warren M. Bodie (1991) - Detailed engineering analysis and development history of all P-38 variants United States Army Air Forces Statistical Digest, World War II - Official mission reports and loss statistics from North African and European theaters, 1942-1945 "P-38 Lightning at War" by Jerry Scutts (1987) - First-hand pilot accounts and squadron histories including performance modifications Lockheed Aircraft Corporation Engineering Reports (1943-1944) - Technical documentation on P-38J and P-38L intercooler improvements (available through National Archives) Air Force Historical Research Agency (AFHRA) documents - Mission reports from 1st Fighter Group, 82nd Fighter Group, 55th Fighter Group (1943-1944) "America's Hundred Thousand" by Francis H. Dean (1997) - Production and technical development data for U.S. fighter aircraft including field modification programs Captured German Luftwaffe intelligence reports (1943-1944) - Enemy assessments of American fighter performance available through National Archives "Fighter Combat: Tactics and Maneuvering" by Robert L. Shaw - Technical analysis of altitude performance effects on aerial combat Association of P-38 National Association archives - Veteran pilot interviews and personal accounts of aircraft performance changes #ww2 #ww2secrets #ww2history #worldwar2history #worldwar2