Ideal WW2 tactical bomber: Single or Double engine?

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CalBear

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Had WWII continued, the P&W R-4360 powered Martin AM-1 Mauler may have gotten an edge over the Spad.

But was on the way out after the War, for the smaller Skyraider that had a less troubled development, and never did get developed to a -2 that (hopefully) took care of the unresolved handling problems on Essex sized deck the Mauler had. It was big.

Was nicknamed 'Awful Monster' as often as 'Able Mable, carried even more ordnance

martin_mauler_1.jpg

AM-1s_armed.jpg

There are a few REALLY interesting candidates, had things run a bit longer.

My personal favorite in the "missedbythatmuch" category is the XF8B. 6x 20mm and a 6,400 pound bomb load in a single piston driven fighter (with trans-Atlantic range of 2,800 miles to boot). Think about that sort of loiter time.
 
The problem with the XF-8 is that Boeing had insisted on the internal bombay. It delayed development, decreased the planes ability as a fighter, increased cost, increased complexity (and maintenance issues), and decreased performance.
There are a few REALLY interesting candidates, had things run a bit longer.

My personal favorite in the "missedbythatmuch" category is the XF8B. 6x 20mm and a 6,400 pound bomb load in a single piston driven fighter (with trans-Atlantic range of 2,800 miles to boot). Think about that sort of loiter time.
 

CalBear

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The problem with the XF-8 is that Boeing had insisted on the internal bombay. It delayed development, decreased the planes ability as a fighter, increased cost, increased complexity (and maintenance issues), and decreased performance.

It delayed the aircraft, but it would, had the war continued, have allowed considerably better performance in the fighter-bomber role thanks to decreaded drag.

The reality is that the aircraft was designed for a mission that didn't exist once Iwo was captured. Still, a remarkable bit of "what if".
 
If you have a chance, you might pick up Jared Zichek book on the XF8B*. He makes a pretty convincing argument that the plane was a deadend due to the bombay, with performance inferior to the Corsair while at the same time being considerably more complicated and expensive. I was surprised at first to learn this, but the book makes a very solid argument for this, well extensive research to support this.

While I am on the road, I believe he even makes the point that the XF8B would not have gone into mass production as originally envisioned as it offered no significant improvement as fighter-bomber over the less expensive Corsair, particularly with AD and AM as dedicated attack aircraft.

*The book is not cheap but is really nice. And with all the royalties that must are pouring in from sales of The Anglo-American Nazi War (nevermind the movie rights), you can afford it, CB. :)
It delayed the aircraft, but it would, had the war continued, have allowed considerably better performance in the fighter-bomber role thanks to decreaded drag.

The reality is that the aircraft was designed for a mission that didn't exist once Iwo was captured. Still, a remarkable bit of "what if".
 
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