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Put something very similar on another forum, interested to see what feedback I get here.

I had previously thought that the problems with the Defiant didn't become apparent until during the BoB, but one contributor stated that there was a Cabinet meeting on the 14th May, as a result of combat casualties with the aircraft on the 13th May.
Apparently they had a successful day on the 12th, but the following day, out of a flight of six which engaged enemy aircraft only one returned to base. One was known to have been forced to land in Belgium, and probably a second. The other three were missing.

Seems historically little action was taken, despite Dowding's reservations and combat experience. That is - the 'disaster' may have been regarded as a one-off and let's carry on and see what happens - the Defiant turret concept did have its advocates - including Churchill.

But given Dowding's opinion - seems strange that it wasn't sent up north earlier than OTL, i.e. defiants would've been successful against the attack from Norway/Denmark. And maybe later stationed at Duxford - tasked with not intercepting attack, but sweeping up the disorganised damaged retreating aircraft!

Or they hedged their bets and asked Boulton-Paul for a single-seat version, which is therefore tested before the OTL P.94, and hence two production lines - one single-seat (with forward firing MGs) and the other two-seat.
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