Question: Vella Gulf

[Stealhead]

You are right most P-38s had 4 .50s and a single 20mm the first early models had a 37mm in place of the 20mm but the 20mm was more effective for air to air combat so later models had it as standard from the F up If I recall the great thing about the gun set up on the P-38 they where direct bore sighted little adjustment was needed because of their location they where deadly accurate.

The Kenny mod sounds very possible it would have been better for strafing kind of like the B-25s that had all the 50. cals forward firing in the nose one the J had 12 .50s all but 4 in the nose the others where in packs below the cockpit there was even a version of the B-25 that had a 75mm cannon and two .50s for sighting boom! that must have really rained on many a Japanese shipping parade.To fly in such a mission would have taken some balls though just off the water with even the kitchen sink getting blasted at your plane good thing most American aircraft where so sturdy you'd never have seen a Betty trying pull of the B-25 strafing mission can anyone say flying tinder box