An Alternate Aviation History: US Air Force/Navy Co-operation?

July 17th, 1938
Martin's Tavern
Washington D.C.

Sixteen men sat seated at two tables, pushed together for convenience... They talked, drank, smoked (some anyway) and ate. This was not just a social gathering however. This was a business venture. These fourteen men had a strange new vision of the future. And the conversation slowly turned from casual, to formal and forward.

"Billy Mitchell was right... But those dunderheads up on the hill won't see it until it's too darn late." Said one man... And the conversation continued.

By 20:00 local, the sixteen men were still discussing business and politics. However, they had come to a similar conclusion, and a mutual decision. The United States would become the proud owner of the world's greatest aerial force in history, and would continue well into the future. At the head, would be these sixteen men... And with them, they would provide the tools for that shared vision.

These sixteen men each worked for a different aircraft corporation. After the meeting there, they would each confront their "corporate masters" and convinced them of their vision. Though corporate mergers were considered impossible by all, they understood what the future would entail...

January 1st, 1942:

War was upon the nation, and the United States Government was in a fury in an attempt to counter the threat of the Japanese. December 14th; the "Date which will live in infamy" saw the surprise attack of the Japanese at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. The entirety of the Pacific Fleet was in harbor on that day. Half of the American Battleship Fleet was destroyed beyond repair. Only one Carrier, the USS Enterprise remained intact enough after the raid to be repaired, but she would not see service again until May 10th of 1942 at the earliest estimate.

What was left of the US military at that moment was lackluster at best. Her Philippine Fleet was reduced to slavery for the Japanese, and the crews had not been seen or heard from. Her Pacific Fleet was all but destroyed, and the Atlantic fleet was dedicated to its mission to save the British and ward off the German U-boat Wolf Packs. And the air fleet was not worth mentioning.

Lockheed, Curtiss, Republic, North American, Northrop, Bell, McDonnell, Grumman, Vought, Brewster, Wright1, and Vultee all ramped up production and soon, the United States Air Fleet was growing to meet its new threat.

Lockheed increased production of the P-38 fighter, dubbed the Lightning. Curtiss, on the P-40 Warhawk. Republic began producing the first units of it's P-47 Thunderbolt, as did North American with the P-51 Mustang. Northrop was given the green light to produce the P-56 Swallow2, after drastic improvements were made. Bell furthered production of the P-39 Airacobra and began the development of a new, improved version. McDonnell began developing its new fighter. Grumman also began on developing a replacement for its F4F Wildcat. Brewster took over primary production of the F4U (Now F3A) Corsair while Vought sped up the research and development of the F5U Flapjack, which was quickly put into production, which was slow comparatively due to many factors. Wright produced the P-55 Ascender, which proved itself after an initial period of problems. Vultee took over the license of the Boulton Paul Defiant, turning it into the P-74 Defiant, which was much unlike its British counterpart, and far more capable as well. Hughes began the development of the HK-1, under contract from the United States War Department in an effort to transport troops and supplies to Britain without being destroyed by the relentless German U-Boat campaign. Martin started production of the B-25 and the P4M Mars (Sea-Plane). The Consolidated B-24 Liberator and Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress saw an impressive increase in production and their service became the backbone of the Strategic Bombing Campaign throughout Europe.

Those sixteen men? They were the masterminds of the aircraft that their companies were now producing. And their vision of the future of American Air Power would exceed even their wildest dreams...
 
Interesting. Are these sixteen men by any chance collaborating? Once the Cold War is really on and airplanes get more expensive, there is going to be less room for these makers.
 
September 12, 1945
Pearl Harbor, Hawaii

President Truman was stumped, He had seen the devastation that the Japanese had brought to the American people first hand. And had heard rumors of German tyranny against the Jewish... But he could not possibly fathom this type of retaliation...

New York Harbor

Howard Hughes had done the impossible... his insistence on perfection had nearly killed his vision... but now, there was not just one... But three.. and far larger than originally anticipated.

He would personally fly the first shipments to Britain on H-4A-1... This was the one that the public emphatically called, and he grew to love in spite of the media, The Spruce Goose. The three aircraft taxied out... and were off. And as their escorts? 5 of the new Boeing B-29 Super Fortresses.

The war was not over yet... Not by a longshot... The "Desert Fox" had been more clever than originally thought and crushed the allies at El Alamein. Furthermore, Stalingrad had been an Axis victory as well... The Soviets had forced them into a stalemate... But the Arabian Oil fields were now firmly in German hands.

Franco had quickly repaired and retrained his forces and now, Spain was a dear ally to the Germans. Turkey had also joined in the alliance... even if only to retake "colonial concessions" from the end of World War I.

It was chaotic to say the least. The British had barely managed to survive through the Blitz, And Sea Lion was still a wild fantasy to Hitler...

Churchill watched as the 8 ship formation flew overhead as the Hughes aircraft landed in the Irish Sea, off the coast of Mann. Taxiing into Liverpool Harbor, they unloaded their first cargo... 150,000 allied soldiers and 50,000 pounds of supplies. Their B-29 escorts landed in Dover half an hour later... The first, true level of American aid was being sent to the British... who was barely able to crawl, let alone stand on her own two feet.

September 16, 1945

This was it... the P-38 had marked its 500th kill, and was still going strong. The P-63, which had replaced the P-39, was also reaching its own unbroken killstreak, 250. The P-51 and P-47 were dominating the skies over France and Benelux with a combined score of 900. From bases in Africa and China, the P-40 was still fighting strong, approaching their 750th kill combined. The Northrop P-56D Swift, and the McDonnell P-67 Bat were fighting "High and Wide to eliminate any hope the Nazi's have of regaining Aerial Superiority." The F6F Hellcat, F3A Corsair, F5U Flapjack, and now, the P-74 Defiant were crushing the Japanese left and right.

The two "odd ducks" of the American air fleet, were the P-74, and the P-55. The P-74 was taken from a British design, and improved drastically. The first aircraft to use a "Swept Wing" configuration, which helped improve its speed, and surprisingly, maneuverability as well. Though not as quick as the Nazi Jets, the Defiant was now able to keep pace with the Mustang without much trouble, thanks to a new engine as well (the same used by the Mustang). Now fitted with 2 20mm cannons AND 4 .50 cal machine guns in the nose and wings (respectively) in addition to the 4 .30 cal Machine Guns in the rear turret, the Defiant had an impressive KL ratio of 15 to 1. Far higher than many other aircraft.

The Wright P-55 took advantage of the Wright experience with the Canard configuration... And it worked. Also utilizing swept wings, it was the fastest fighter that the US had produced. She could keep pace even with the Me-262... and she had the armament to match.. sporting 1 30mm cannon, 2 20mm cannons, and 3 .50cal MG all in the nose, it packed more power than the Lightning. And though she had the strength and speed... she had limited range and maneuverability. It was enough to take on the Jets, but not enough to compete with slower, more nimble (and more numerous) fighters..

Compared to the Nazi and Jap Air fleets, the US had impressive numbers, strength, and innovation. Though she had yet to produce a Jet Fighter, her current fleet was more than enough to handle all that the enemy could muster.

And then the Bomber fleet... Over the course of four days, the number of B-29 aircraft in Britain had grown exponentially, from five, to nearly fifty-five. One-third the total production queue. And with nearly 200 B-17's still on station, The Allies were prepared to launch their aerial assault on the German homeland. And they would win.
 

Art

Monthly Donor
Sounds like an early. . .

The Big One. And I think this could be as grim as Anglo-American Nazi War. . . and that is grim. But I can take grim, so long as the author is not overtly political and has people doing STUPID things always. I am a David Weber, David Drake, Elizabeth Moon, and Poul Anderson fan. Weber can be, and IS, grim, but his people are recognizably PEOPLE. This seems quite good. Keep it up!
 
December 24, 1947
Washington DC
White House
2300 Hours Local

President Harry Truman had been awoken late at night on the eve of Christmas. And there was news... The Germans had agreed to a negotiated peace..

The entire Nazi Leadership had been defeated... A secret, covert operation within the German High Command, had defeated the whole of the Nazi figurehead. Hitler, Goebbels, Himmler, and Göring are killed... Tresckow and Stauffenberg are now leading Germany. And they want peace.

January 1st, 1948
Ankara, Turkey
1200 Hours Local


Stauffenberg, Tresckow, Mussolini, Franco, Salazar, İnönü, Truman, De Gaulle, Stalin and Churchill were all gathered for the peace.. And it was hefty...

The German Military had not clearly been defeated. The Third Reich had continued her string of victories on the ground. And though the Allied invasions of Italy in 1945, and of Normandy in 1946 were successful, it wasn't considered a victory. Italy had become a stalemate, and Normandy was contained, The allies were completely unable to expand on either front.

The only advantage the Allies had was the air superiority they had gained with their impressive arsenal of aircraft. And they were slowly beginning to cripple the Axis war effort.

At the end of the negotiations, The World was far different. Though the War with Japan continued, Europe was "free." France was promised war reparations from Germany and Italy. Spain and Portugal were allowed to unify. Germany would regain her lost World War I colonies, and attain the territories of those that had been "won." The Low Countries would be annexed directly into the Greater German Reich, as would Lithuania, Poland, Czechoslovakia, and Switzerland. Italy, for being a "Faithful Ally" would return South Tirol to Germany. Germany demanded that Denmark, Sweden, and Norway, be unified into a single, Scandinavian Country, Which Finland and Karelia (to include Kola) would be a part of. Along with many more conditions, the most important of which to the allies was the prohibition of the Nazi Party (though the ideologies of Fascism were still legally permitted).

Germany didn't lose... But they were offering peace and a means to rebuild. And the Allies quickly jumped at the chance of Peace with the Germans.. With the end of the Nazi Leadership... the German nation had turned over a new leaf.. And the Allies wanted as many friends as they could against not only the Japanese... But the Soviets as well.

Stalin demanded his own conditions... and was turned down on nearly all of them. Infuriated, he claimed that he had been betrayed... and that "The full might of the Soviet People will come to bear on the Capitalists and their allies."

July 17th, 1947
Tokyo, Japan
1700 Hours Local

The Japanese had been defeated.. Three Nuclear Weapons had been dropped on Japan, Nagasaki, Hiroshima, and Osaka. And the US had threatened that more would be used if the war continued, stating "That every major urban center in the Japanese Homeland will be the target of our new, and ferocious weapons." Though in reality... there was but one weapon left for use against the Japanese...

The Japanese agreed to a near unconditional surrender... But the Japanese had two conditions: The Emperor remains the Symbolic Political Figurehead of the Japanese people... and that the whole of the Japanese Homeland remain under the control of the Japanese government at the end of the occupation.

The Ryukyu Islands, the Kuril Islands, The Bonin Islands, The Daito Islands, The Izu Islands, and the island of Karafuto would still be Japanese. And the Occupation of the entire Japanese Homeland created the primary staging area for defense against the new threat to the world... The Soviets and Communism.

December 31, 1947
Washington DC
1600 Local


The United States Air Force was born on September 18, 1947. And was the strategic power house of the US Military. And it was the first and foremost defense against a possible Soviet attack. But it had a problem.

Though it was the primary air power in the world... it had one rival: The United States Navy. The Navy had been a predominant power in the war, and her Air Power was the only true rival to the Air Force. And the Air Force knew it was limited in many respects as well...

So a deal was struck between the United States Air Force, and the United States Navy. The Department of the Navy created a new command, The Naval Air Fleet. And under it, three commands: The Naval Strategic Air Command, Naval Mobility Command, and the Naval Tactical Air Command. The Air Force command knew that the Navy would need to be an ally in order for the Soviets to be properly deterred.

With new technology taken from the Germans at the end of the War, and now it was this technology that was going to bring the United States to a new era... and finally defeat the Soviets.

May 10th, 1952

Across the country, the United States Air Force, and the United States Navy were in a friendly competition. Boeing had created the first truly intercontinental bomber. And Martin had created the first Intercontinental Seaplane Bomber. Consolidated created the B-60 Enforcer as a contemporary to the B-52 Stratofortress. The Stratofortress had more defensive guns than its predecessor, the Flying Fortress, with twenty .50 cal. defensive weapons... and two 20mm cannons in the tail. The B-60 was nearly identical to the Stratofortress...but it had two distinct differences, it was cheaper, weaker, and faster. It was developed as an export bomber. But it was also part of the sixteen man agreement in 1938. The B-60 Enforcer was capable of higher altitude, but an equal payload and speed. The Enforcer was developed as a First Strike aircraft, the Stratofortress was developed as a War Bomber. Both were considered necessary..

And the Martin P6M Seamaster was capable of both... flying alongside the Stratofortress in any conflict, and providing a constantly mobile First Strike platform. The Navy and the Air Force had struck an agreement that would change the world. Seaplanes were capable of an immediate launch against any enemies, anywhere. And would be able of filling the gaps that couldn't be filled by the Air Force Bomber Fleet.

And it was just in time...

July 4th, 1953

The failure of free elections throughout the whole of the Korean Peninsula in 1950 strained tensions between the North and South. And on this day, the North Korean Army stormed across the border and had occupied nearly the whole of the region.

Now was the time to shine. Back home, the Enforcer fleet was preparing for a first strike against the Soviet Union should it enter open war against United States. However, abroad, the Seamaster fleet was the first striking force against the North Korean Army. War had returned to the American people... but this time, There was a greater terror looming overhead. And any mistake could lead to a terrible future.
 
I'm going to track back to WWII...

May 10th, 1942
Alexandria Airfield, 30 Miles Southeast of Alexandria
Egypt, British Empire
1500 Local

Captain William "Wiley Willy" Sonnier, an American volunteer pilot for the British since 1940, was now flying for the US again. He had gained experience from the Boulton-Paul Defiant Mk. I that the British used... and he hated the damn thing. He knew how to fly it and avoid being shot down... But he had lost his gunner before and couldn't stand the thought of being defenseless. He was looking over a portfolio for a potential new gunner.. And a name struck him.

The portfolio belonged to a young turret gunner on the B-17. Lieutenant Carlos Jovel... His portfolio was better than the rest, but still quite lack-luster when compared to many seasoned Warhawk pilots. He wondered how he would handle the speed of the fighter.

As Wiley Willy composed his thoughts, his commanding officer, Colonel Leonard Sharpton entered his barracks. The two had been long time friends and military formalities were dismissed in their private company.

Sharpton asked "Mulling over potential replacements?"

Willy grunted in ascent, trying to remain focused.

Sharpton chuckled, "Well lucky you, we just got something new from the states...I think you'll be impressed."

Willy looked intrigued. Sharpton knew that nothing much about this war could impress him. He was told the same thing about the British Defiant and was severely unimpressed when he took it out for himself. Willy grabbed his cover and the two men left Willy's tent. A young corporal, was waiting for the two men in a dirty old Jeep. The two officers jumped into the vehicle and quickly sped off down the field.

"You know I'm not easily impressed Sir." Willy mentioned, keeping his bearing now that he is with the impressionable enlisted.

"I know," replied Sharpton. "But this is one of those things that got me to immediately think of your future in this war."

Willy laughed deeply, "At the rate those damned krauts keep taking down my gunners I'll be lucky if I make it to Independence Day sir."

Sharpton laughed with him as they arrived at one of the only "permanent" structures at this location. It was a hangar designed to house aircraft when Generals would visit the front.

"Who is visiting us today sir?" Willy asked as the two men left the Jeep, which then proceeded to speed off as Sharpton waved him away. The Corporal knew he was not needed and would return at the time he had been ordered.

"Less of a Who and more of a What." Sharpton replied.

This immediately peaked Willy's attention and the two entered the Hangar. Inside was what looked like a brand new Boulton-Paul Defiant. Without really looking at what he was seeing, Willy lived up to his namesake. "What the fuck is up with this sir? You give me a brand new pile of junk When I can't manage to down the one I already have?"

Sharpton waved his hand attempt to stifle the "Wiley Wrath." Reluctantly, Willy quieted himself.

Sharpton spoke, "This is brand new from the States, not from the Queen. Vultee Aircraft had bought the designs off of Boulton-Paul and improved it drastically, so they claim. A new 4 bladed propeller, with an impressive new engine set up. Fitted with a Turbocharger and a Super charger, the thing is capable of moving like a 109. The fuselage has been increased by 20% and the wings by 30% allowing for plenty of fuel. There is an experimental Nitrous injection system which is actuated from the cockpit by switch actuation on the throttle. The Turbo and Superchargers can be regulated as well, turned off, or actuated with a dial that allows operation up to 100% use. You can tune it specifically depending on how you plan to fly as well as the current conditions." Willy was about to speak but Sharpton continued, "Fitted to the nose are two fixed twenty millimeter cannons that fire through the prop. And in the wings are four fifty caliber machine guns. Now you aren't alone in those skies friend. The turret armament has been maintained, but streamlined. There is a switch in the turret that allows for the gunner to drop the streamline panel and unstow the turret, putting him into the fight. And the two of you will be in constant radio contact."

Willy stopped and looked over the new design... he had a question, which Sharpton seemed to sense before willy even asked. "The wings have a new configuration, they call it a sweep. It's supposed to increase speed by reducing drag. I don't fully understand how that works, but the manual claims it does. I'm not going to question something that I'm not being paid enough to understand." Both men chuckled.

Willy looked at his old friend, "Impressive. Now I just need a guy who won't get shot out of the damn thing."
 
May 20th, 1942
Alexandria Airfield, 30 Miles Southeast of Alexandria
Egypt, British Empire
1200 Local

Lieutenant Carlos Jovel had been given orders ten days ago. He had been requested by a Captain for what was described in the briefing as "interesting."

He had been picked up by some young corporal and was driven to a hangar. Once there, Captain "Wiley Willy" Sonnier and Colonel Sharpton greeted Lieutenant Jovel. They entered the hangar and things began raplidly, almost too much for the Lieutenant to pick up.

"This is a new aircraft in the US arsenal. As you can clearly see, The pilot will need someone to watch his six. That is where you come in. I saw your profile and you were the most impressive of the bunch. Not much of a feat. But to your credit, you had them all beat by a mile. I'm not going to sweeten this for you, the last six guys I had never brought their A-game. They all fell to the Krauts. I have a good feeling about you. The other six were assigned... But I chose you. This is your opportunity. You can join me and test this son of a bitch against some Nazi bastards or you can go back to those bombers." Sonnier spoke with heavy words... those six boys had been his responsibility and they were all dead now because he couldn't keep them safe long enough. Sharpton remained silent. It was Jovel's decision now.

"Well... I'm already here." Jovel spoke, all three men smiled.

"We might as well take you out to get acquainted with how it flies." Sonnier spoke, more towards Sharpton than to Jovel.

"She's already fueled and armed. You shouldn't come across any krauts but in case, you'll be prepared." Sharpton replied.

Over El Alamein Egypt
1330 Local


"Wiley Willy" and Carlos had been flying for about an hour now. Carlos had gotten himself acquainted with the controls in the turret... He was impressed but something nagged at him. Though it couldn't quite put his finger on it.

Just as the two were completing some maneuvers, Carlos saw a sheen on the western horizon. "I think we're about to have company. West."

Willy took a glance and grinned. "You wanna see what this beast can really do?"

Carlos smiled to himself "Thirty says I down more than you."

Sonnier didn't reply, instead they turned west and flew towards the incoming formation. "This is P-Seven Four, call sign 'Wiley.' The enemy has been sighted. We are preparing to engage. Scramble defense fighters."

Carlos prepped the turret. He wasn't going to lose his own bet.

The enemy formation, a flight of 4, was headed in their direction. They were southwest of their current position, flying to the east. They hadn't spotted Sonnier or Jovel yet.

Willy knew this and hit the deck. They were flying low and fast. Going for the formation lead, Willy pulled back and opened fire. Carlos locked and loaded.

The Luftwaffe formation broke apart as the lead ship burst into flame. The three remaining pilots broke away to get vengeance against the single aircraft. One of the Luftwaffe pilots got behind Willy, and was now sighted in on Carlos. A single salvo from the 4 .30 cal MGs in the turret was enough... The canopy of the Bf-109 that was on their tail filled with blood. The aircraft flew out of control for a moment before diving straight into the earth.

"That's one each." Carlos mentioned with a smile in his voice.

Just then, the 109 Willy had been chasing erupted into flame as well. "Better readjust that tally. Its 2-1 one son." Willy chuckled and they turned to chase the final.

It was returning west rapidly. But not rapidly enough. Willy had approached the final 109 and was prepping for his third kill. Suddenly, the 109 braked, and the P-74 overtook it.

Carlos opened fire almost immediately. The 109 swerved at the unexpected salvo of 30 cal rounds flying through the air. The 109 was hit, but not mortally and it continued the chase.

"On my mark, pull up." Carlos spoke calmly. The Bf-109 was directly behind them now. "MARK!!" Willy suddenly broke up as Carlos opened fire.

The German pilot wasn't prepared for this. One salvo tore through his wing... the other through the fuselage. The entire aircraft detonated in the air.

Willy dove for the dirt and raced back to Alexandria. "Nice shootin" he commented

Carlos smiled "Tie."

Willy chuckled. They remained silent the remainder of the flight. Willy focused on the fuel, Carlos watching the world pass by.
 
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