 In replacement a route 38B was introduced between Loughton, Woodford, Leyton, Walthamstow and Chingford.From 3 August 1938 route 38B was withdrawn, and routes 38 and 38A returned to normal.As a wartime economy routes 38 and 38A were re-routed between Clapton and Dalston on the direct route via Cricketfield Road (avoiding Hackney) on 5 May 1943.