1946: Build your own airforce

[CalBear]

Fighters: A mix of F8F Bearcats (if you can get them) and P-51Ds. Bearcats are better interceptors but Mustangs have the range advantage.

Fighter-bombers: F4U Corsairs

Attack: SBDs. Replace in 10-15 years with surplus AD Skyraiders.

Strike / Light bombers: B-25 Mitchells.

Heavy Bombers: B-24 Liberators.

Welcome! (I notice it is only your 2nd post)

If you have Corsairs you really have no need for SBD. The Corsair had a 4,000 pound bombload vs. the SBD 2,250 and could carry it over a longer distance.

If anything you would want the SB2C, which, despite its early rep was a very nice attack plane and could carry a torpedo, something that I believe was even beyond the ability of versatile F4U

 

[newsmancharnley]

If I were setting up the post-WW2 Royal Ruritanian Air Force

Fighter: Me 109 (probably re-equipped with Merlin engines, like the Spanish). If necessary, I'll buy some new ones from the Swiss

CAS/Ground Attack: Hawker Typhoon (a little obsolete, but the British are almost paying me to take them away)

Utility/Observation/Trainer: Taylorcraft Auster

Bomber/maritime patrol/search and rescue/photo-reconnaissance: Lancaster

Transport: C-46

If I can get them, I'd happily buy a couple of squadrons of He-162 jet fighters for defending the Homeland

 

[Landshark]

Fighter: Me 109 (probably re-equipped with Merlin engines, like the Spanish). If necessary, I'll buy some new ones from the Swiss

Why on Earth go for an Me 109 when there are so many newer and better aircraft available?

 

[KyleB]

Fighters: Saab J-21, Dornier 335
Naval fighter: Ryan FR-1 Fireball
Interceptor: Me 263
Attack aircraft: Ilyushin Il-10, Dornier 335
Naval attack aircraft: Grumman TBM Avenger
Medium bomber: Arado 234
Heavy bombers: Heinkel 277
Transport: C-47
Trainer: Bf 108
Maritime reconnaissance/patrol aircraft: Blohm und Voss BV 222
Air/sea rescue flying boat: Grumman Albatross
Communications/liaison/battlefield reconnaissance: Fieseler 153

 

[Bearcat]

Probably right

If you have Corsairs you really have no need for SBD. The Corsair had a 4,000 pound bombload vs. the SBD 2,250 and could carry it over a longer distance.

I was just looking for a 'placeholder' until Skyraiders are available.

 

[Markus]

I was just looking for a 'placeholder' until Skyraiders are available.

F4U. The SB2C turned out ok, but single engine planes are much easier to shoot down than twins -unless they are fighter bombers, so if you want a stopgap plane get the more versatile Corsair (edit) or an A-20 as a torpedo bomber.

 

[newsmancharnley]

Why on Earth go for an Me 109 when there are so many newer and better aircraft available?

There may be "newer and better" machines "available" But are the aircrew and mechanics to operate them also available? In 1946, I can find lots of ex-Luftwaffe personnel who are familiar with the 109 - and need a job.

Likewise, Ruritania can make or find Rüstsatz field-kits for the Me109.

If I go for the Me109K, It's only just obsolete in 1946 - but it's still pretty versatile

 

[Melvin Loh]

NHBL, you've got a good point re the escort carriers- but since F4F Wildcats were virtually obsolescent by 1945, I'd say Seafires, Fireflies & Sea Furies to be the fighters carried on my new carriers, plus Avengers & maybe even Barracuda torpedo-bombers.

Also, boys- re the Me109- the Israeli airforce OTL still used em cos they were wanting to get their hands on anything they could for their fledgling fighter arm- therefore, securing some 1/2 a dozen Avia-built Me109 copies from Cezchoslovakia- which the HEYL HA'AVIR used to fairly good effect against Egyptian Spitfires. Hmmm, which also lead to the interesting qn of whavt about also acquiring some late-model FW190s ? When it comes time to get jets, I'd go for Meteors, Vampires & F80 Shooting Stars til F86 Sabres become avail, too...

Would any-1 be interested in acquiring any late-model Jap planes too ? How bout trying to build your own Mount Fuji intercontinental bomber, or have a few Ki-43 Oscars like the Indonesian nationalists did (which they flew in action against the Dutch during their war of independence) ?

 

[The Dean]

Been following this with interest and noting all of the good points made. So here's my take on the subject.

For a fighter I'd get as many Tempest IIs and Sea Furys as I could find. They could be easily be fitted with either the Pratt and Whitney R-2800 or the Wright R-3350 if required.

I would have as many Mosquitoes and/or Hornets as I could lay my hands on as well. This would mean I had to use Merlins and a radial engine so if there were any Mustangs or even Merlin engined marks of Spitfire and those converted 109s I wouldn't turn my nose up at them. Apart from the Spitfires and 109s these were all successful carrier aircraft.

With the range and weapon capacity of that lot there would not need to be many heavier aircraft in the air force so a few B-29s and Lincolns would provide heavier capacity. Their range would also make them effective for maritime patrol work. The various Avro transports based on the Lancaster/Lincoln would be nice and of course lots of DC-3s.

Trainers? TigerMoths, Stearmans, Harvards.

 

[Alexius]

Also, boys- re the Me109- the Israeli airforce OTL still used em cos they were wanting to get their hands on anything they could for their fledgling fighter arm- therefore, securing some 1/2 a dozen Avia-built Me109 copies from Cezchoslovakia- which the HEYL HA'AVIR used to fairly good effect against Egyptian Spitfires.

The Avia versions were not well-liked by their pilots at all- they had a Jumo 211 engine taken from an He-111 bomber, which was unresponsive and made take-off and landing downright dangerous! Also, the synchronisation gear didn't work properly...

The Spanish Merlin-engined version was a good aircraft, but entered service IOTL in the 1950s- too late for our purposes.

 

[fastmongrel]

Home defence fighter Spitfire XIV
Photo recon Spitfire
Fighter bomber Corsair
Night fighter Mosquito
Maritime attack Mosquito
Medium bomber Martin B26 Marauder
Heavy Bomber none waste of time
Maritime reconaisance Short Sunderland
Transport Avro York and Dakota

 

[Jukra]

Welcome! (I notice it is only your 2nd post)

If you have Corsairs you really have no need for SBD. The Corsair had a 4,000 pound bombload vs. the SBD 2,250 and could carry it over a longer distance.

If anything you would want the SB2C, which, despite its early rep was a very nice attack plane and could carry a torpedo, something that I believe was even beyond the ability of versatile F4U

While Corsair was very rugged and versatile if the period is 1946 is there a beater for F-82 in prop-plane category? It has two engines (damage resistance), much better range, similar bomb capacity and capability to be used as interceptor either for day or night (after conversion) role. With it's No 2 crewmen the operation of early radar is easier than with Corsair.

Cons are naturally two engines and lack of torpedo carrying capability.

 

[The Militant One]

Attack: P-38

Light Fighter: P-47, P-51

Air Superiority Fighter: F-80, F-84

Light Bomber: B-25

Medium Bomber: B-17

Heavy Bomber: B-29, B-36

Transport: C-47

Not to mention that my Air Force would be actively researching technologies for the F-86.

 

[Douglas]

What if you're the ruler of a nation with plenty of money and looking to build a world class airforce after WWII. There are plenty of surplus warplanes of all types going into the scrap heap that could be had for a song. In fact Sweden managed to assemble the 4th largest airforce by 1950.

The key is to chose planes that will give not only high performance but remain useful for as long as possible. Besides fighters, attack aircraft and bombers, you'll also need trainers, transports of all sizes, sea planes, and maritime patrol aircraft. Assume you have good relations with everyone. So what would be your choices?

Most-produced US aircraft probably means easiest to get a hold of, right? I'm a huge fan of CalBear's idea of logistical standardization of engines, but if I want numbers and duration, while keeping relatively few different kinds of aircraft...

Fighter/Attack: Thunderbolts, Corsairs (takes me to the mid-50's without jets, and numbers are a plus ). If I have spare cash when I'm done, pitch in for a few Meteors to give my crews some experience with jets.

Bomber/Recon/Maritime Patrol/Tanker: Liberators (dime a dozen!).

Trainers: Texans. 15000+ built, I gotta be able to get a bunch of those cheap, right?

Transports: Skytrains...everyone else is using them, why not me?

Seaplanes: Catalinas, if required.

 

[Paul MacQ]

Just taking a Russian option as everyone has gone Western are these better than Western counterparts maybe not but advantages and disadvantages
Fighters are simpler and easier to Keep flying and Tu-2 More vulnerable to Fighters yet safer vs Ground fire than a F4U

Standard Fighter
Yak-9U (VK-107)
Lavochkin La-7

Bomber
Tupolev Tu-2

Ground support
Ilyushin Il-10

Transport
Lisunov Li-2 (DC3 copy)

 

[tallwingedgoat]

Most-produced US aircraft probably means easiest to get a hold of, right? I'm a huge fan of CalBear's idea of logistical standardization of engines, but if I want numbers and duration, while keeping relatively few different kinds of aircraft...

I think the Liberator/Privateer, Catalina, and Skytrain are outstanding enough to warrant a second line of power plants. These three all use the R-1830.

 

[CalBear]

While Corsair was very rugged and versatile if the period is 1946 is there a beater for F-82 in prop-plane category? It has two engines (damage resistance), much better range, similar bomb capacity and capability to be used as interceptor either for day or night (after conversion) role. With it's No 2 crewmen the operation of early radar is easier than with Corsair.

Cons are naturally two engines and lack of torpedo carrying capability.

Only problem with the F-82 is that they are brand new so there won't be any beaters to be had. Otherwise it is generally a good choice, although the Merlin and its radiator was much more vulnerable during ground attack than any radial engined aircraft.

 

[HJ Tulp]

I'm currently looking at the Dutch Airforce in 1946 as the OP looks like it's written for that nation. However, the KLu was at war at that time so that might distort it a bit.

In April 1945 the ML-KNIL received 10 P-51Ks and 31 P-51Ds. The ML-KNIL and KLu also received Mustangs. Until '54 the KLu kept using Supermarine Spitfire Mk.9s after which it was replaced by the Gloster Meteor F MkIV.

 

[Markus]

Attack: P-38

*yuck* The P-38 was a really bad fighter bomber. US pilots put her last.

 

[The Militant One]

*yuck* The P-38 was a really bad fighter bomber. US pilots put her last.

Not the best fighter in the world, but it made a phenominal attack plane, once they started mounting rockets and using it as a support aircraft; it went from a so-so fighter to that grand daddy of the A-10.