Alternative Naval Aircraft

Actually, there's an interesting question there. What's the best thing the Singapore defenders could have had?

Personally I'd have loved it if the Hawker Tornado had gone into production and been sent out there. Apparently the RR Vulture there gave far fewer problems than the Manchester. I t would have been interesting to see those tissue paper soaked in lighter fluid Japanese fighters facing 400mph seven ton beast mounting four 20mm cannon.
 
The P-51H Seahorse:

NAVY-P-51-box_Art.jpg
 
I'd have loved to see the F2G.:cool::cool: R4360, 2xTiny Tims, & (my fav, despite the issues for dogfighting;)) tiptanks.

Screw the Bearcat.;)

Or pull the Allisons from a P-38, bend the wings, & stuff a pair of W2Bs behind the pilot.:eek::cool: P-80 Generation 0.5?:p
 
They may have loved to get their paws on a couple of squadrons--until they faced the Japanese. I imagine that they would have felt the same affection for the plane as the Hurricane pilots felt for their planes when they faced the Japanese.
Those more au fait with the technical aspects may well say it wasn't a goer, but I always thought the FEAF and FAA would have loved to get their paws on a couple of squadron's worth in 1941.
 
Ever since first reading about it as a kid, I've had a soft spot for the Miles M.20. The prototype had much more range and ammo than the Spitfire and Hurricane, and was faster than the latter. Yes, it had fixed landing gear, but the whole thing went from specification to first flight in less than ten weeks. If only it hadn't wanted the same power egg as the Lancaster and Beaufughter. :(

Those more au fait with the technical aspects may well say it wasn't a goer, but I always thought the FEAF and FAA would have loved to get their paws on a couple of squadron's worth in 1941.

Maybe a licence build for the RAAF too. The mk II could have extra bells and whistles like retractable undercarriage.
 
They may have loved to get their paws on a couple of squadrons--until they faced the Japanese. I imagine that they would have felt the same affection for the plane as the Hurricane pilots felt for their planes when they faced the Japanese.
Oh, I don't for a second think it could have gone toe to toe with a zero, but it's at least one order of magnitude better than what they had to play with in OTL. Even a couple of squadrons of Spitfires wouldn't have changed the outcome of Malaya, Singapore and Burma, but there may have been more working planes and more living pilots to retreat to India. Plus, a squadron or two of these would have had the range to escort Force Z anywhere, as long as somebody gives Admiral Phillips a clue. Possibly with extreme prejudice.
Maybe a licence build for the RAAF too. The mk II could have extra bells and whistles like retractable undercarriage.
Stop reading my mind! ;)
 
Sorry man. How about this for a title for a timeline.

"The Flight if the Warmaster."

Maybe send a few to beef up the Indian Air Force too.
 
I always though Manticore would be a better name for one of the Martin Baker fighters. Besides Warmaster and Seamaster for the naval version, pretty cool.
 
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