WWIII 1946 Weapons Development

[Hairog]

If the Soviets could handle the Tiger up close, they should have no problem with any US or UK main battle tank. The 250 should not be needed.

[MattII]

Hm, T-34-85 vs, Centurion or Sherman Firefly. It isn't exactly going to be a walkover in a 1-on-1.

[Life In Black]

Originally Posted by Hairog

If the Soviets could handle the Tiger up close, they should have no problem with any US or UK main battle tank. The 250 should not be needed.

No, we want the Allies/NATO to have the Panzerfaust 250.

[BELFAST]

Originally Posted by Life In Black

No, we want the Allies/NATO to have the Panzerfaust 250.

I agree, I was thinking of the allies using the Panzerfaust 250.

[Sior]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ordnance,_RCL,_3.45_in

The 3.45 inch RCL was a British recoilless weapon, designed by Sir Dennis Burney during the Second World War. Delayed by problems due to wear upon firing, it did not see action, as was hoped, in the Far East. However it did lead to the post war Mobat and Wombat recoilless rifles.


http://www.google.ca/imgres?q=Ordnan...r:18,s:0,i:126

[Claymore]

Originally Posted by Life In Black

No, we want the Allies/NATO to have the Panzerfaust 250.

Originally Posted by BELFAST

I agree, I was thinking of the allies using the Panzerfaust 250.

Agreed.

Of course by 1946 Sweden were also designing the Carl Gustav recoilless rifle (IOTL in service date 1948). This was/is a hugely effective weapon adopted by most NATO countries at one time or another and at 84mm calibre was fatal to all post war tanks. Having fired its later incarnations, I can testify to its destructive capabilities.

Given Sweden is also fighting the Red hoard, I'm sure that the Carl Gustav's design specs would find their way into the wider allied family workshops PDQ.

[BigWillyG]

Originally Posted by Claymore

Agreed.

Of course by 1946 Sweden were also designing the Carl Gustav recoilless rifle (IOTL in service date 1948). This was/is a hugely effective weapon adopted by most NATO countries at one time or another and at 84mm calibre was fatal to all post war tanks. Having fired its later incarnations, I can testify to its destructive capabilities.

Given Sweden is also fighting the Red hoard, I'm sure that the Carl Gustav's design specs would find their way into the wider allied family workshops PDQ.

If Korea is any indicator the American Kromuskit recoilless rifles like M40 are probably going to get mass produced and sent to Europe. The 3.5inch Super Bazooka might to put into production faster as well.

[tallthinkev]

I've been thinking (sorry about that) how much faster could the B-36 be put into production? The first flew in August 46, so maybe it could be moved up by 4 months and the first few ready for combat by Oct/Nov 46? With being able to fly at over 41,000 ft how many Russian planes could reach it?

[Claymore]

Originally Posted by BigWillyG

If Korea is any indicator the American Kromuskit recoilless rifles like M40 are probably going to get mass produced and sent to Europe. The 3.5inch Super Bazooka might to put into production faster as well.

A very good point. The Allies could be awash in relatively inexpensive, light-weight AT weapon systems.

Just one more point in favour of the Carl Gustav (Charlie G), it had a much larger propellant charge than the US bazooka systems and consequently, had a slightly longer range against AFVs, a much flatter trajectory and therefore accuracy and the ability to act as close range artillery against static targets out to 1500m or so. (On the down side, back blast and over-pressure were equally impressive )

[RamscoopRaider]

Originally Posted by tallthinkev

I've been thinking (sorry about that) how much faster could the B-36 be put into production? The first flew in August 46, so maybe it could be moved up by 4 months and the first few ready for combat by Oct/Nov 46? With being able to fly at over 41,000 ft how many Russian planes could reach it?

41,000 Feet is the Official height

Unofficially it regularly flew over 50,000 feet

[darkenedaze]

Shaped charges and heat rounds would definetly be all the rage - but i dont think the soviets developed the rpg-2 until 1947, or even fielded it till 1949/1950. Of course, WWIII would definetly have expidited the development. Does WWIII occur right after the defeat of Germany, during the war proper, or is there a lul? Do the Soviets get thier hands on any German scientists??

[BigWillyG]

Originally Posted by darkenedaze

Shaped charges and heat rounds would definetly be all the rage - but i dont think the soviets developed the rpg-2 until 1947, or even fielded it till 1949/1950. Of course, WWIII would definetly have expidited the development. Does WWIII occur right after the defeat of Germany, during the war proper, or is there a lul? Do the Soviets get thier hands on any German scientists??

Even with an immediate post-VE day war the Russians should have lots of shaped charge anti-tank launchers since the captured tons of Panzerfaust and started making more in German factories after the war until RPG-2 production began.

[Hairog]

Originally Posted by darkenedaze

Shaped charges and heat rounds would definetly be all the rage - but i dont think the soviets developed the rpg-2 until 1947, or even fielded it till 1949/1950. Of course, WWIII would definetly have expidited the development. Does WWIII occur right after the defeat of Germany, during the war proper, or is there a lul? Do the Soviets get thier hands on any German scientists??

It occurs 6 months after the defeat of Germany and yes the Soviets get many, many German scientists just like OTL. Try reading the story. I think you'll like it.

[Hairog]

Originally Posted by tallthinkev

I've been thinking (sorry about that) how much faster could the B-36 be put into production? The first flew in August 46, so maybe it could be moved up by 4 months and the first few ready for combat by Oct/Nov 46? With being able to fly at over 41,000 ft how many Russian planes could reach it?

NATO has to move fast with what it basically has. They are running out of time. There will be no untouchable secret weapon developed in a few months. They will have to win by blood, sweat and tears. Too much blood and the American public will withdraw it's support. Too much time and the Soviets will have their own atomic bomb and stalemate will occur with Stalin in control of all of Europe and possibly Asia. A quite formidable base in which to strive for world domination.

[MattII]

Well if they can push their bomb project a whole year faster than OTL (and remember you'll have to take some time out to make sure everybody can speak a common language) that still only gets them a detonation in 1947, which gives America a solid lead, plus the Russians aren't going to get a suitable bomber much ahead of 1947 either, so delivery is going to be an issue.

And you're still going to have a famine in 1946/47, and it will possibly be worse than OTL since more forces are being spent on occupation and less on agriculture.

[Hairog]

They have 3 B29s now. What do you think will happen if they hang one from the Eiffel Tower and threaten to detonate it or plant one in Rome, Madrid etc. Think they could get one of those B29s past the RAF with a maximum effort?

I can think of a lot of ways to blackmail the US and her allies.

[MattII]

Hm, getting 3 big bombers past the RAF which has probably some hundreds of Gloster Meteors by this point (faster, higher ceiling, exceptional rate of climb, 4 20mm cannons)? Unlikely I should think, unless you can (literally) sneak them past the radar.

Also, blackmail is going to sour neutral opinions quickly.

[RangerElite]

Originally Posted by Claymore

A very good point. The Allies could be awash in relatively inexpensive, light-weight AT weapon systems.

Just one more point in favour of the Carl Gustav (Charlie G), it had a much larger propellant charge than the US bazooka systems and consequently, had a slightly longer range against AFVs, a much flatter trajectory and therefore accuracy and the ability to act as close range artillery against static targets out to 1500m or so. (On the down side, back blast and over-pressure were equally impressive )

Hello Claymore! On your point about the Goose (as we called the Carl Gustav), it was a superior anti-tank system, simple to manufacture and fairly user-friendly (except to the end-recipient) and is now in it's third iteration in armies worldwide. I can easily see Bofors AB making a killing on licensing it's manufacture to NATO/Allied militaries worldwide to fight the Red Menace...provided that the NKVD doesn't somehow manage to get the plans first. Does the phrase "screwed, blued and tattooed" mean anything to anyone?

[Life In Black]

Originally Posted by RangerElite

Hello Claymore! On your point about the Goose (as we called the Carl Gustav), it was a superior anti-tank system, simple to manufacture and fairly user-friendly (except to the end-recipient) and is now in it's third iteration in armies worldwide. I can easily see Bofors AB making a killing on licensing it's manufacture to NATO/Allied militaries worldwide to fight the Red Menace...provided that the NKVD doesn't somehow manage to get the plans first. Does the phrase "screwed, blued and tattooed" mean anything to anyone?

Sleeze Beez?

[Claymore]

Originally Posted by RangerElite

Hello Claymore! On your point about the Goose (as we called the Carl Gustav), it was a superior anti-tank system, simple to manufacture and fairly user-friendly (except to the end-recipient) and is now in it's third iteration in armies worldwide. I can easily see Bofors AB making a killing on licensing it's manufacture to NATO/Allied militaries worldwide to fight the Red Menace...provided that the NKVD doesn't somehow manage to get the plans first. Does the phrase "screwed, blued and tattooed" mean anything to anyone?

Originally Posted by Life In Black

Sleeze Beez?

Hi RangerElite. Glam Metal bands aside, I think we would say; "Hoist with your own petard", this side of the pond although "screwed, blued and tattooed" has a certain ring to it!