Let's make it BETTER!

So.

Embolden by the awesome/wonderful response to my recent Habbakuk thread. (Much awe and thanks to RanulfC!)

My thoughts turn to a machine type that saw limited service and which history seems to have deemed..... not quite a good idea.

With that being said.

Let's make the B-40 a SUCCESS! (^_^)

For those not of an aeronautical bent. The B-40 was an attempt to turn a B-17 into an 'Escort gunship' since, as one time in the war the 'Little wings' couldn't stay with the bombers all the way to their targets.

Thus leaving the stolid B-17's to soldier on into fierce enemy defense/opposition.

I would like to start by suggesting the idea for said 'Gunship' variant come to people's minds as folks are actually just beginning to build the B-17. Thus giving us a goodly amount of time to 'Work out' the bugs.

Such as the B-40 has to be (When it's fully armed and armored) as fast if not slightly faster than an EMPTY (Bombs dropped) B-17.

Of note is the beautiful variant of the B-17. The B-38, as possible further inspiration. (^_^)
 
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As I recall, it was the lack of speed and inability to keep up with the other bombers that sort of scuttled the idea. Sadly, more guns and more armor will inevitably mean more weight and less speed. So unless somehow you can find a superior engine, you are sort of out of luck.
 
At work.

Hence why I mentioned the Allison inline engined variant the B-38.

I know British engines are anathema to Yanks..... but.... how might the inline Merlin fair at giving the '40' the neede speed to keep up with the empty '17's?
 

nbcman

Donor
I doubt that a B-17 derivative escort could keep up B-17s after they release their bomb loads. How about turning an early prototype B-29 into a B-17 escort? It had about a 70 mph speed advantage over the B-17s. Although the early model B-29s were pretty dangerous due to their Wright R-3350 engines overheating.
 
At work.


Uhm... was/were the earliest B-29's even possibly available at the time?

Wiki (Best I have atm) says tirst flight in late 42.

Also.... they seem really expensive?
 
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