alternatehistory.com

If we replace the Swordfish, Albacore, Fulmar, Skua and Sea Gladiator with the Barracuda Mk.II and Seafire Mk.III in 1939, does it make any difference in the campaigns and engagements IOTL?

Note I have kept to the Merlin-powered Seafire and Barracuda, since introducing a reliable Griffin in 1939 opens up too many other PODs re. RAF aircraft, etc, etc. I will allow two PODs for the Seafire, that of reinforced undercarriage (but still poorly placed in centreline) and the increased fuel and drop tanks of the Spitfire Mk.IV, see below.



While underpowered, and without a supercharger set-up for high altitude ops, the Barracuda Mk.II is fine as is, once it got its four blade prop. Good article defending the Barracuda here http://www.key.aero/view_article.asp?ID=5969&thisSection=historic

One issue I see is the Barracuda may not be suitable on CVE, as shown here https://books.google.ca/books?id=w5nk6ZkTaBsC&pg=PA51&lpg=PA51&dq=fairey+Barracuda+escort+carrier&source=bl&ots=MnrUHeH_OT&sig=8g4PTP2ye3pNnfnKpZxZ61p8CsI&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwj7p7Oxk4TUAhWF1IMKHezSDKoQ6AEINTAF#v=onepage&q=fairey Barracuda escort carrier&f=false. Larger monoplane aircraft like the Tarpon could fly off RN CVEs ITOL, but the Barracuda was underpowered. So, if there's no Swordfish or Albacore, perhaps the CVEs take the Blackburn Shark the Barracuda would have replaced.
Top