PC/WI: Handley-Page O series aircraft used as torpedo aircraft at Jutland?

WILDGEESE

Gone Fishin'
Here is the Handley-Page HP-O series bomber aircraft used by the RAF in WWI able to carry a 2,000lb weapon load.

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What if at the Battle of Jutland these aircraft where used as torpedo aircraft against the German HSF after they turned for home or as a joint strike in co-operation with the RN's Grand Fleet?

Would this work?

If so, what damage could they do to the German HSF?

Would it make a RN victory more likely or hinder it?

Regards filers.
 
Unfortunately the HP-O series of aircraft were still only flying as prototypes in May/June 1916 IIRC. Therefore they were not a viable combat aircraft at the time of Jutland and significant handwaviem would be required to bring the in service date forward earlier enough for a significant number to be in service earlier.
 
Say a dozen aircraft set off and get 3-4 hits. If this occurs before the battle, then the damaged ships are probably sent home; regardless, the HSF proceeds cautiously, resulting in battle as OTL. If it happens after the battle, the next day, then the HSF is probably too far away to be intercepted, so the damaged ships can again get home.

So, if you can immobilise a dreadnought or two then you can sink them later, or force the HSF to scuttle them. But otherwise, not much effect on the balance of power or perceptions of victory. Attitudes towards naval aviation do change though - this attack would have been seen as textbook had it been carried out by torpedo boats. The torpedo boat gave birth to the torpedo boat destroyer; here, it is now clear that fleet escort requires an aircraft destroyer. Fortunately, the two ships are quite similar.
 
How would they find the Geman fleet?
www.dreadnaughtproject.org said:
By the time of the Great War, the Royal Navy had a patchy global network of shore stations able to offer a modicum of command and control with its ships. The ships carried radios and aerials whose range and power varied with their size and the era.
Communication between ships was patchy. Getting a reliable wireless set on a bomber at that point may be too much to ask.
 
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