WI: H-4 Hercules Is Adopted for Combat Use

What if the H-4 Hercules plane, the same kind that the Spruce Goose was not an abandoned project, but further adapted and entered World War II?
 
If you can change the gov't spec so that it flies ten years earlier in 1937, then you've got something.

I can see the RAF buying some. It's 3,000 mile range (presumably with a credible cargo weight?) would have made possible flying from Australia to Singapore in a single trip.
 
Development was started in 1942, so it's not possible, because it's virtually impossible to take a large plane from award of contract to service in two years.

If you can change the gov't spec so that it flies ten years earlier in 1937, then you've got something.
the specification was drawn up as a result of the events of the war, so you can't get it before the U-boat effort really kicks in. I suppose you could conceivably get a specification something like it in 1939, but before Lend Lease you wouldn't get American companies bidding. What you'd probably end up with would be an enlarged, six-engined version of the Short S.26
 
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Andre27

Banned
What if the H-4 Hercules plane, the same kind that the Spruce Goose was not an abandoned project, but further adapted and entered World War II?

I like the idea, but i have to question if it could replace cargo shipping by sea. Light equipment can perhaps be hauled by air, but what about little things like petrol.:eek:

I would think cargo transport by airship could be interesting, providing there is sufficient helium.
 
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