A great series of updates, setting up for quite the show. The last four updates need threadmarks though.
What's the definition of performance? Speed? Maneuverability? Firepower? Range? A combination thereof?
If we're just considering speed and maneuverability, I could not disagree more, Cryhavoc. A defensive fighter might prioritize those, but not an offensive fighter. What good is a fighter that can't reach the site of the battle?
The Zeros tremendous range allowed it to escort strike aircraft to take the fight to the enemy and still have a useful time over target. '
RAF Bomber Command learned the hard way not having a fighter to escort bombers to Germany meant switching to less accurate night bombing.
If 'performance' were the be-all and end-all, the Buffalo would not be universally looked down on outside of Finland.
If there were no such thing as pilot quality I might agree, but the Wildcat held the line against the Zero, and even gained the advantage thanks to the USN being the only air service in the world training pilots in deflection shooting. And leading a crossing target so it and the bullets meet is a skill that needs to be learned. Outside the USN, the RAF's George Buerling, a hunter in his off-time, understood leading a target. While in England his gun camera constantly showed him shooting at empty air as he claimed Germans shot down. So Fighter Command sent him to Malta.
Every other air force in the world was dedicated to maneuver, which made the Zero so formidable, but so many of it's qualities were sacrificed for that attribute it was vulnerable in other aspects.
Every pilot killed in a kite with a propeller attached is a waste of resources. Every time a rugged plane brings a pilot home to fight another day is a victory.
Don't get me started on the FAA/Corsair myth. VF-17 was doing their carrier qualifications on the CVE Charger before the FAA received its first Corsair. The Jolly Rogers went west with Bunker Hill but when they reached Hawaii, they were swapped out for VF-18 with Hellcats because there was no supply chain for Corsairs with the fleet.
Regards,
A great series of updates, setting up for quite the show. The last four updates need threadmarks though.
Jesus this is gonna be a mess. Both sides are throwing everything they have into the air. The Allies have a heavy fighter escort, and they've learned how to use them, but the Japanese are going to have a lot more fighters over the convoy than the Allies are expecting them too. No matter who wins, this has the makings of a pyrrhic victory.
Yes, but if they cripple their air power in the process of doing that, they could end up being unable to continue operations in the peninsula.Losses to aircraft are bad, the main goal is to kill ships. If the British led forces loose more aircraft, but manage to sink 3 or 4 transports loaded down with troops and equipment in the process, they can ultimately achieve a strategic and tactical victory.
Yes, but if they cripple their air power in the process of doing that, they could end up being unable to continue operations in the peninsula.
True to an extent but keep in mind there are two Wellington squadrons, an additional Hudson squadron, one Vengeance squadron, and all nine Hurricane squadrons (eight British and one Indian) that are not getting tapped for this operation and that doesn't include the growing number of 10th AF assets in theater. Allied materiel superiority is starting to make itself felt.
Plus long term the Allies and replace and even reinforce better then the Japanese.
Having a few squadrons out of action for a few weeks is bad, but the Japanese will be in a similar position.
That any shipping losses the Japanese suffer will be much harder to replace as well. Potentially crippling the better part of an entire brigade of troops before they can even hit the beach is also a significant strategic blow.
On travel and I didn't bring my computer, so no updates until Friday.
It’s a testament to both the procurement/logistical folks and the mechanics that they could keep such a disparate array of aircraft in service. Imagine needing parts, compatible tools and the necessary skills to maintain and often rebuild radials from Wright, P&W and Bristol (both poppet and sleeve valve units), plus Rolls Royce and Allison inlines. And everything else, from different tires and suspension components for a dozen aircraft types, to spark plugs, etc, etc.True to an extent but keep in mind there are two Wellington squadrons, an additional Hudson squadron, one Vengeance squadron, and all nine Hurricane squadrons (eight British and one Indian) that are not getting tapped for this operation and that doesn't include the growing number of 10th AF assets in theater. Allied materiel superiority is starting to make itself felt.
Oh, you're no fun anymore!On travel and I didn't bring my computer, so no updates until Friday.
Well in that case, to get back to the floats discussion in the meantime, some more examples (as well as some already covered)
http://warbirdinformationexchange.org/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=68809
Boy the Japanese CAP pilots are sure not the A-Team. They are losing equal numbers of planes to obsolete Peashooters. They better have some better pilots coming in those 18 additional fighters or they're toast.