WI: Me 262 introduced 2 years earlier

Status
Not open for further replies.
Who am I to argue with the RAF and USAAF post war analysis? But yes I would agree as most of the Me262s were too broken to get off the ground or even taxi, I would agree with your point in that regard. Although the early P80 had a problem with killing test pilots, including Richard Bong and had its own engine reliability problems.

The Meteor was undoubtedly the best Allied jet aircraft. The USAAF probably should have just bought them in some numbers. Might have helped the British balance of payments issues some too.

Sadly, test pilots have a tendency to get killed. Part of the nature of the most dangerous job in the business of flying. Sometimes you get lucky, and you're flight testing a Hurricane or an F6F. Sometimes you're not, and you're stuck at the stick of a P-80 or B-26. At least in the run up to WWII the RAF had more time with flight testing.

Wasn't there also the issue of not wanting to allow the Meteor to fly over German controlled territory lest they be shot down (by ground fire at least; the 88mm AA gun was accurate up to 25,000 feet!) and the aircraft remains be captured? Isn't it true that they were primarily employed to destroy V-1s? As to reverse L-Ling the Meteor, by the time that could be pulled off WWII in Europe would be over. Plus, the RAF needed ever Meteor it had for their own use. I can just imagine the reaction in the RAF (and the Imperial Chiefs-of-Staff) if a Meteor squadron is seen being handed over to Carl Spaatz's use while buzz bombs are still raining over London!:mad: And the USAAF still had (in large scale deployment) the best piston-engined air superiority fighter in WWII. The Spitfire XIV was an outstanding aircraft, but like the never built P-40N was a mark of a fighter design that had pretty much reached the end of its developmental service. And it was getting to be almost too late for the superlative Tempests. Its just too bad that for all its incredible serviceability for ground support the Typhoon never became the true Spitfire replacement that everyone had hoped it would be.:teary:
 
WARNING!!!! WIKIPEDIA USED AS SOURCE :)


Its not like Germans have surplus of diesel either. Apparently there were never more than 60 planes operational at one time. So even if the design is ready in 1942 Germans still have to solve
Fuel shortage
Pilot Shortage
Chromium shortage
Rubber shortage
Lack of long enough runways

On top of that, allied will adapt to jets quickly[/QUOTE
Without eastern front, Luftwaffe conventional fighters will be able to Protect Me262 from attacks in landing or take- off positions . Also, without “barbarossa” plan,they may attack on UK airfields and reducing production factories for RAF. Germans goes to deep Russia, AND left British economy to replace ALL looses from defeats 1940-41 in relative peacetime.
 
Germans planners loosed time with Me163-komet
Too small powertime, but 0.9 mah speed, sometime 1000+ km/h
At ALL,Komet was short time player, AND was only for experiments. He280 was better option than any rocket-powered fighter
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top