Deleted member 1487
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Focke-Wulf_Fw_187
What if the FW187 was developed in lieu of the Bf110? Rather than focusing on the POD or 'meta effects' (does Germany win the war), let's make this a discussion of the immediate and intermediate effects of the decision.
Before we can discuss what the advantages/disadvantage of the aircraft were, let's get some basic information straighter and realize what the Wiki-article leaves out.
Originally this aircraft was to fulfill the need for a long range escort fighter, but was 'shot down' by Udet after his take over of the technical department in 1936.
Before that happened Udet tried to shoe horn the FW187 into the Zerstörer role to compete with Goering's envisioned need for a bomber destroyer.
Of course the addition of a second crew member, a defensive rear machine gun, and the extras that go along with this dramatically reduced its performance, but left it still as more maneuverable and faster than the Bf110. Also it was never coupled with the DB601 in the single seat role, which the Bf110 had by 1939.
So the FW187 would have had two DB601 fuel injections engines by the time it enters production in early/mid 1939 which would give it a speed of about 400mph flat out. It could also dive in excess of 500mph. It also climbed much faster than the Spitfire Mark I to boot and with the single seat and DB601s could out climb the later Marks as well. The first units would have been operational by the time of Weserübung, the invasion of Norway, in April 1940.
By the time of Case Yellow, the invasion of the Lowlands and France, its fair to estimate that about 200+, about 2 geschwader, would be operational, with more on the way.
Come July-August, even with losses, its conceivable that 300, about 3 geschwader, would have been available.
This aircraft was just about as maneuverable as the Me109E, but much faster, which means that it cannot hope to maneuver with the Spitfire or Hurricane. Instead it would be a sublime "Boom and Zoom" aircraft, much like how the P38 dealt with the superbly maneuverable Zero in the Pacific.
So for the Battle of Britain and beyond the FW187 wouldn't need escorting by the Me109's and could actually fly top cover for them.
It could use many of the same tactics that the P51 used over Germany in 1944-5, loitering over airfields and bouncing British squadrons taking off, especially as early on the RAF had orders not to engage fighter sweeps.
It also helps free up the Me109's to takle the Hurricanes while the faster FW187's dive on the Spitfires.
What effects would this have on the course of events?
Also for those worried about the lack of a nightfighter without the Bf110, the Ju88c heavy fighter was already in service in 1940 and was a much better nightfighter than the Bf110 and could take heavier radar gear than the slower and less maneuverable Bf110. This was also evidenced with the Ju88G, the purpose designed nightfigher, showed up after 1943 and was easily the best nightfighter Germany produced.
What if the FW187 was developed in lieu of the Bf110? Rather than focusing on the POD or 'meta effects' (does Germany win the war), let's make this a discussion of the immediate and intermediate effects of the decision.
Before we can discuss what the advantages/disadvantage of the aircraft were, let's get some basic information straighter and realize what the Wiki-article leaves out.
Originally this aircraft was to fulfill the need for a long range escort fighter, but was 'shot down' by Udet after his take over of the technical department in 1936.
Before that happened Udet tried to shoe horn the FW187 into the Zerstörer role to compete with Goering's envisioned need for a bomber destroyer.
Of course the addition of a second crew member, a defensive rear machine gun, and the extras that go along with this dramatically reduced its performance, but left it still as more maneuverable and faster than the Bf110. Also it was never coupled with the DB601 in the single seat role, which the Bf110 had by 1939.
So the FW187 would have had two DB601 fuel injections engines by the time it enters production in early/mid 1939 which would give it a speed of about 400mph flat out. It could also dive in excess of 500mph. It also climbed much faster than the Spitfire Mark I to boot and with the single seat and DB601s could out climb the later Marks as well. The first units would have been operational by the time of Weserübung, the invasion of Norway, in April 1940.
By the time of Case Yellow, the invasion of the Lowlands and France, its fair to estimate that about 200+, about 2 geschwader, would be operational, with more on the way.
Come July-August, even with losses, its conceivable that 300, about 3 geschwader, would have been available.
This aircraft was just about as maneuverable as the Me109E, but much faster, which means that it cannot hope to maneuver with the Spitfire or Hurricane. Instead it would be a sublime "Boom and Zoom" aircraft, much like how the P38 dealt with the superbly maneuverable Zero in the Pacific.
So for the Battle of Britain and beyond the FW187 wouldn't need escorting by the Me109's and could actually fly top cover for them.
It could use many of the same tactics that the P51 used over Germany in 1944-5, loitering over airfields and bouncing British squadrons taking off, especially as early on the RAF had orders not to engage fighter sweeps.
It also helps free up the Me109's to takle the Hurricanes while the faster FW187's dive on the Spitfires.
What effects would this have on the course of events?
Also for those worried about the lack of a nightfighter without the Bf110, the Ju88c heavy fighter was already in service in 1940 and was a much better nightfighter than the Bf110 and could take heavier radar gear than the slower and less maneuverable Bf110. This was also evidenced with the Ju88G, the purpose designed nightfigher, showed up after 1943 and was easily the best nightfighter Germany produced.