Start here
A few places to begin, from the aircraft’s story to the people who fly it.
Aircraft and simulator background
The P-38 developed as a twin-engine interceptor and later served escort, reconnaissance and attack roles. The L was the final production version, with deliveries beginning in June 1944.
Lockheed P-38L Lightning
FlyingIron Simulations · Read more ↗Two different flap systems
The manual lists Fowler-flap settings of 8, 20 and 40 degrees. Separate 35-degree dive-recovery flaps have a different purpose from speedbrakes. Hydraulically boosted ailerons accompany pitch and rudder trim. Its IAS table lists 130 knots for full flap and 152 knots for gear.
Lockheed P-38L Lightning
FlyingIron Simulations · Read more ↗Later flight-model revisions
Versions 1.2.0 and 1.2.1 revise controls, compressibility and the three flap positions. The notes also fix an MSFS 2024 cockpit interaction issue and remove a spurious roll during gear retraction.
Lockheed P-38L Lightning
FlyingIron Simulations · Read more ↗The independent X-Plane 12 conversion
The public conversion author's v2.3 instructions of July 2025 describe an independent ACF conversion and object changes, with permission stated. They also retain an old-dataref startup warning. This work has its own authorship and version scope.
Lockheed P-38L Lightning
X-Plane.org conversion authors · Read more ↗Meet Lockheed P-38L Lightning
The P-38 developed as a twin-engine interceptor and later served escort, reconnaissance and attack roles. The L was the final production version, with deliveries beginning in June 1944.
FlyingIron's P-38L has hydraulically boosted ailerons, pitch and rudder trim, Fowler flaps and separate dive-recovery flaps. Its release history includes later work on compressibility and control response.
Lockheed P-38L Lightning
Lockheed → · Explore the family →
Lockheed P-38L Lightning
FlyingIron Simulations · P-38L Lightning for Microsoft Flight Simulator public manual download ↗Aircraft type designators
No type designator selected for this reference.
History & design
Development into the L model
The museum traces the Lightning from the prototype through the September 1940 YP-38 and successive wartime variants. The P-38J brought improvements to cockpit heating, cooling, fuel and manoeuvrability. Deliveries of the final P-38L began in June 1944 and continued until August 1945.
National Museum of the United States Air Force · Lockheed P-38L Lightning ↗P-38 Lightning Development and The Museum's Aircraft; L deliveries June 1944–August 1945
Systems & details
Two different flap systems
The manual lists Fowler-flap settings of 8, 20 and 40 degrees. Separate 35-degree dive-recovery flaps have a different purpose from speedbrakes. Hydraulically boosted ailerons accompany pitch and rudder trim. Its IAS table lists 130 knots for full flap and 152 knots for gear.
Later flight-model revisions
Versions 1.2.0 and 1.2.1 revise controls, compressibility and the three flap positions. The notes also fix an MSFS 2024 cockpit interaction issue and remove a spurious roll during gear retraction.
The independent X-Plane 12 conversion
The public conversion author's v2.3 instructions of July 2025 describe an independent ACF conversion and object changes, with permission stated. They also retain an old-dataref startup warning. This work has its own authorship and version scope.
In your simulator
Systems, equipment and documentation for each developer’s aircraft.
Compare simulator versions →MSFS 2020 · MSFS 2024FlyingIron P-38L Lightning
FlyingIron · Released
FlyingIron P-38L Lightning
FlyingIron · Released
X-Plane 12FlyingIron / Alpeggio P-38L XP12 conversion
FlyingIron / Alpeggio · Released
FlyingIron / Alpeggio P-38L XP12 conversion
FlyingIron / Alpeggio · Released
Manuals & resources
Find your next read
Choose a topic for a short introduction and a link to the original source. Simulator references identify the developer and edition they cover.
Museum history
Lockheed P-38L LightningLockheed P-38L Lightning
P-38 Lightning Development and The Museum's Aircraft; L deliveries June 1944–August 1945
National Museum of the United States Air Force · Read the source ↗Developer documentation
P-38L Lightning exact product classificationLockheed P-38L Lightning
Product features and XP12 patch link
X-Plane.org authorized store · Read the source ↗P-38L 1.2.0 and 1.2.1 current systemsLockheed P-38L Lightning
Flight Model Improvements; Bug Fixes
FlyingIron Simulations · Read the source ↗FlyingIron P38 XP12 independent conversionLockheed P-38L Lightning
Public conversion author instructions
X-Plane.org conversion authors · Read the source ↗P-38L Lightning for Microsoft Flight Simulator public manual downloadLockheed P-38L Lightning
PDF pp21-22, 44, 46; speed table rendered and inspected
FlyingIron Simulations · Read the source ↗P-38L Lightning for Microsoft Flight SimulatorLockheed P-38L Lightning
Product description and feature list
FlyingIron Simulations · Read the source ↗Read the original documentation from the people who created it. Manuals open on their publisher’s website.
Museum history
Lockheed P-38L LightningNational Museum of the United States Air Force · P-38 Lightning Development and The Museum's Aircraft; L deliveries June 1944–August 1945Developer documentation
P-38L Lightning exact product classificationX-Plane.org authorized store · Product features and XP12 patch link P-38L 1.2.0 and 1.2.1 current systemsFlyingIron Simulations · Flight Model Improvements; Bug Fixes FlyingIron P38 XP12 independent conversionX-Plane.org conversion authors · Public conversion author instructions P-38L Lightning for Microsoft Flight Simulator public manual downloadFlyingIron Simulations · PDF pp21-22, 44, 46; speed table rendered and inspected P-38L Lightning for Microsoft Flight SimulatorFlyingIron Simulations · Product description and feature listBuilt-in force-feedback profiles
Read the documentary basis, editable starting settings and remaining questions for the aircraft you fly. Each explanation refers to the exact profile revision shown.
Catalogue programme-20261011-v3 · 2 profile choices
FlyingIron P-38L Lightning
FlyingIron · Free and Pro · Revision 2 · Inherited starting point
MSFS 2020 · MSFS 2024
The final production Lightning, with boosted ailerons and separate dive-recovery flaps.
FlyingIron / Alpeggio P-38L XP12 conversion
FlyingIron / Alpeggio · Free and Pro · Revision 2 · Inherited starting point
X-Plane 12
The final production Lightning, with boosted ailerons and separate dive-recovery flaps.
FlyingIron P-38L Lightning
The final production Lightning, with boosted ailerons and separate dive-recovery flaps.
Aircraft and simulator scope
- FlyingIron P-38L Lightning · FlyingIron · MSFS 2020 · Add-on starting point
- FlyingIron P-38L Lightning · FlyingIron · MSFS 2024 · Add-on starting point
The simulator model and controls
FlyingIron P-38L Lightning is the selected FlyingIron configuration.
How this profile feels
Spring resistance builds with the selected airspeed response. A separate aerodynamic term adds speed-dependent control load.
Valid trim provides the configured pressure relief. Autopilot following is off.
Aircraft and configuration
The P-38 developed as a twin-engine interceptor and later served escort, reconnaissance and attack roles. The L was the final production version, with deliveries beginning in June 1944.
Two different flap systems
The manual lists Fowler-flap settings of 8, 20 and 40 degrees. Separate 35-degree dive-recovery flaps have a different purpose from speedbrakes. Hydraulically boosted ailerons accompany pitch and rudder trim. Its IAS table lists 130 knots for full flap and 152 knots for gear.
Later flight-model revisions
Versions 1.2.0 and 1.2.1 revise controls, compressibility and the three flap positions. The notes also fix an MSFS 2024 cockpit interaction issue and remove a spurious roll during gear retraction.
About the values
Strengths are normalized hardware-feel settings. They set the effect balance; hand force depends on the device and its limits. The IAS reference is a tuning value.
Documentary review and sources
These decisions describe the documentary basis and remaining gaps for this revision. Aircraft documentation and a starting setting describe different kinds of evidence.
Aircraft and variant
InheritedFlyingIron P-38L Lightning is the selected FlyingIron configuration.
Flight controls
InheritedThe final production Lightning, with boosted ailerons and separate dive-recovery flaps.
Trim
InheritedThe manual lists Fowler-flap settings of 8, 20 and 40 degrees. Pitch authority 0.28 provides load relief and permitted centre movement; roll authority is 0.
Autopilot and stability
InheritedAutopilot following is off; the configured spring and load retain the hardware feel.
Equipment
InheritedThe P-38 developed as a twin-engine interceptor and later served escort, reconnaissance and attack roles. The L was the final production version, with deliveries beginning in June 1944.
Speeds and limits
InheritedThe indicated-speed references set the profile response scale; they are separate from aircraft operating limits.
Simulator integration
InheritedThe profile targets msfs2020, msfs2024. Add-on-specific controls use only the supported references configured by this profile.
Force-feedback settings
InheritedThe settings define the profile’s effect balance. Device output limits affect physical hand force.
Starting settings and their rationale
These configured values are starting estimates. The explanations describe what each setting controls; physical validation appears separately below.
| Setting | Starting value | What it controls and why |
|---|---|---|
| Spring strength | Starting value0.72 | What it controls and whyThe manual lists Fowler-flap settings of 8, 20 and 40 degrees. The baseline spring is 0.72. Its low-speed blend reaches baseline strength at 90 KIAS. |
| Master force gain | Starting value0.85 | What it controls and whyScales overall profile strength while preserving effect balance, subject to device and output limits. |
| Profile force gain | Starting value0.68 | What it controls and whyThe aerodynamic-load gain is 0.68 with an indicated-speed reference of 239 KIAS. This supplies speed-dependent loading alongside the spring. |
| Force tuning speed/reference | Starting value239 kt | What it controls and whySets the IAS reference for aerodynamic loading. It is an estimate, not published cruise TAS or a flight limit. |
| Spring response reference speed | Starting value90 kt | What it controls and whySets the IAS where the low-speed blend reaches baseline strength; high-speed stiffening also uses it. |
| Aileron force scale | Starting value0.46 | What it controls and whyRoll and pitch aerodynamic scales are 0.46 and 1, respectively. They set the aerodynamic axis balance. No custom spring-travel curve is enabled. |
| Elevator force scale | Starting value1 | What it controls and whyScales pitch aerodynamic loading; pitch spring travel and trim responses are separate settings. |
| Trim feel | Starting valueEnabled | What it controls and whyRetained for compatibility and group membership. Trim relief, rather than this flag, controls centre movement. |
| Trim relief | Starting valueEnabled | What it controls and whyAllows trim relief with supported control law and valid telemetry. Axis authorities set its amount. |
| Autopilot follow | Starting valueDisabled | What it controls and whyAutopilot following is off; the configured spring and load retain the hardware feel. |
| Autopilot neutral hold | Starting valueDisabled | What it controls and whyPermits centering hold during a supported AP state, separate from following a moving target. |
| Output force limit | Starting value0.55 | What it controls and whyCaps directed-force output. Native spring effects and device limits remain separate. |
All 44 starting settings and their rationale
The settings define the profile’s effect balance. Device output limits affect physical hand force.
| Setting | Starting value | What it controls and why |
|---|---|---|
| Spring strength | Starting value0.72 | What it controls and whyThe manual lists Fowler-flap settings of 8, 20 and 40 degrees. The baseline spring is 0.72. Its low-speed blend reaches baseline strength at 90 KIAS. |
| Spring deadband | Starting value0.045 | What it controls and whySets travel around the centre before the baseline spring resists. Smaller values engage it sooner. |
| Profile force gain | Starting value0.68 | What it controls and whyThe aerodynamic-load gain is 0.68 with an indicated-speed reference of 239 KIAS. This supplies speed-dependent loading alongside the spring. |
| Master force gain | Starting value0.85 | What it controls and whyScales overall profile strength while preserving effect balance, subject to device and output limits. |
| QBlend Enabled | Starting valueEnabled | What it controls and whyAllows baseline spring strength to rise with indicated airspeed where the control law permits it. |
| QSpring Minimum Factor | Starting value0.5 | What it controls and whySets low-speed spring strength as a fraction of baseline when blending is enabled. One keeps full strength. |
| QSpring Start Knots | Starting value25 kt | What it controls and whySets the IAS where the low-speed spring blend starts rising. This is a feel threshold, not a flight limit. |
| Spring response reference speed | Starting value90 kt | What it controls and whySets the IAS where the low-speed blend reaches baseline strength; high-speed stiffening also uses it. |
| Force tuning speed/reference | Starting value239 kt | What it controls and whySets the IAS reference for aerodynamic loading. It is an estimate, not published cruise TAS or a flight limit. |
| Airspeed spring stiffening gain | Starting value0.1 | What it controls and whyThe high-speed spring-stiffening gain is 0.1. It strengthens the permitted spring response above 90 KIAS, with the squared-speed ratio capped at 5. |
| Airspeed spring stiffening limit | Starting value5 | What it controls and whyLimits the squared airspeed ratio used for high-speed spring stiffening; it is not a device-force cap. |
| Aileron force scale | Starting value0.46 | What it controls and whyRoll and pitch aerodynamic scales are 0.46 and 1, respectively. They set the aerodynamic axis balance. No custom spring-travel curve is enabled. |
| Elevator force scale | Starting value1 | What it controls and whyScales pitch aerodynamic loading; pitch spring travel and trim responses are separate settings. |
| Output force limit | Starting value0.55 | What it controls and whyCaps directed-force output. Native spring effects and device limits remain separate. |
| Trim feel | Starting valueEnabled | What it controls and whyRetained for compatibility and group membership. Trim relief, rather than this flag, controls centre movement. |
| Trim relief | Starting valueEnabled | What it controls and whyAllows trim relief with supported control law and valid telemetry. Axis authorities set its amount. |
| Elevator Authority | Starting value0.28 | What it controls and whyThe manual lists Fowler-flap settings of 8, 20 and 40 degrees. Pitch authority 0.28 provides load relief and permitted centre movement; roll authority is 0. |
| Aileron Authority | Starting value0 | What it controls and whyScales supported roll-trim relief and permitted centre movement. Zero removes roll response. |
| Force Trim Enabled | Starting valueDisabled | What it controls and whyEnables local force trim, separate from aircraft-owned trim and add-on integration qualification. |
| GLoad Enabled | Starting valueEnabled | What it controls and whyAllows load-factor changes to modify permitted spring laws. Passive fly-by-wire feel can suppress it. |
| Rate Damping Enabled | Starting valueEnabled | What it controls and whyEnables rate damping with the configured coefficients and control law. |
| Autopilot follow | Starting valueDisabled | What it controls and whyAutopilot following is off; the configured spring and load retain the hardware feel. |
| Autopilot follow authority | Starting value0.05 | What it controls and whySets admitted AP-follow gain, not a percentage of travel. Runtime ownership and input limits still apply. |
| Autopilot neutral hold | Starting valueDisabled | What it controls and whyPermits centering hold during a supported AP state, separate from following a moving target. |
| Autopilot neutral hold strength | Starting value0.6 | What it controls and whySets admitted AP neutral-hold strength; inactive while neutral hold is disabled. |
| Enabled | Starting valueEnabled | What it controls and whyEnables aerodynamic cues; each still needs nonzero strength and its simulator conditions. |
| Gain | Starting value0.25 | What it controls and whySets stall-buffet strength. Zero removes the cue without changing simulator stalls or warnings. |
| Gain | Starting value0 | What it controls and whySets high-Mach buffet strength; onset and full-strength thresholds are separate. |
| Gain | Starting value0.09 | What it controls and whySets flap buffet at the configured position and speed gates. Flap movement texture is separate. |
| Maximum flap index | Starting value3 | What it controls and whySets the final flap index for detent normalization. UP plus three detents uses maximum index3. |
| Minimum flap index | Starting value3 | What it controls and whySets the first flap detent that admits buffet; this is a handle index, not degrees. |
| Gain | Starting value0.065 | What it controls and whySets gear aerodynamic buffet; movement and ground-contact cues are separate. |
| Shaker Enabled | Starting valueDisabled | What it controls and whyPermits shaker at supported warning conditions; the switch does not establish aircraft equipment. |
| Stick shaker amplitude | Starting value0.5 | What it controls and whySets triggered shaker strength; inactive while the shaker feature is disabled. |
| Enabled | Starting valueEnabled | What it controls and whyEnables ground effects; each still needs its own strength and contact or motion telemetry. |
| Gain | Starting value0.28 | What it controls and whySets rolling texture strength, modified by speed, surface and undercarriage configuration. |
| Gain | Starting value0.3 | What it controls and whySets gear-bump texture during ground motion, separate from touchdown impact. |
| Gain | Starting value0.42 | What it controls and whySets landing-impact strength; landing telemetry and response shape determine the pulse. |
| Gain | Starting value0 | What it controls and whySets reverse-thrust vibration with valid reverser and engine conditions. Zero removes the cue. |
| Enabled | Starting valueEnabled | What it controls and whyEnables engine cues with nonzero settings and valid running-engine telemetry. |
| Gain | Starting value0.07 | What it controls and whySets estimated engine vibration using configured telemetry and response, not measured cockpit vibration. |
| Enabled | Starting valueEnabled | What it controls and whyEnables accessory cues with configured strengths and observed accessory movement. |
| Gain | Starting value0.06 | What it controls and whySets texture from observed flap movement; a command without movement does not establish the cue. |
| Gain | Starting value0.06 | What it controls and whySets texture from observed gear movement, separate from aerodynamic and touchdown effects. |
Limits and open questions
- Force amplitudes, response curves and cue thresholds are editable engineering estimates, not measured hand-force curves. Physical and installed-aircraft checks remain deferred.
- Standard simulator channels only. Custom failure, warning, autopilot and trim-target interfaces are not qualified. No axis writes, AP follow or neutral hold.
- Automatic selection needs the reviewed developer and aircraft identity. An explicit aircraft-default binding can handle titles that omit the developer.
- Global hydraulic control-system scaling cannot represent powered roll plus manual pitch. Reduced roll force is a static approximation with booster assumed on; booster-off/failure handling remains open. Dive-recovery flaps and compressibility control locking need a qualified interface.
Physical validation
No physical force validation is recorded in this public catalogue for this revision. Documentary review and software checks do not establish how a particular device feels.
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