Actually the P-38 WAS better in many ways than the Corsair or Hellcat. In fact - according to the Wikipedia article -
"The P-38 was credited with destroying more Japanese aircraft than any other USAAF fighter."
I think the main reason you didn't see it more often is that it wasn't a Navy airplane and wasn't fitted with any kind of tail hook for carrier operations.
Until the introduction of the P-51 Mustang, it was the primary escort for bombers in the Pacific theater. Had a REALLY long range.
It was a squadron of P-38s that shot down Admiral Yamamoto.
And it was the primary airplane used by the two top American aces - Richard Bong (40 victories) and Thomas McGuire (38 victories).
So yeah - I can see it being considered worth more in a game than a Corsair or Hellcat, sure.
"The P-38 was credited with destroying more Japanese aircraft than any other USAAF fighter."
I think the main reason you didn't see it more often is that it wasn't a Navy airplane and wasn't fitted with any kind of tail hook for carrier operations.
Until the introduction of the P-51 Mustang, it was the primary escort for bombers in the Pacific theater. Had a REALLY long range.
It was a squadron of P-38s that shot down Admiral Yamamoto.
And it was the primary airplane used by the two top American aces - Richard Bong (40 victories) and Thomas McGuire (38 victories).
So yeah - I can see it being considered worth more in a game than a Corsair or Hellcat, sure.