Recent content by Geoffrey Sinclair

Within limits though. Most of the files are works in progress, not easy for others to understand. Then comes data I have made promises not to pass on. The recent arrival of new reports, like ones giving exports of USAAF aircraft types from 1943 to June 1945, need to be incorporated. Finally...

For comment. home Version 1, a few disclaimers and mark definitions etc. to come.

USAAF Delivery Logs First two P-38J-10 accepted on 16 November 1943, 42-67404 and 406 (42-67402 was on 17 November) First P-47D-25 accepted on 12 February 1944, 42-26389, next two on 15 March (390 and 394), 6 accepted and 5 delivered by end March. (block number added) First P-51B accepted on...

Performance Tables of British Service Aircraft, Air Publication 1746, dated August 1939 but data includes 1940/41 aircraft Maker Westland Name Whirlwind Type 1 Seat Ftr Engine Number 2 Engine Make Peregrine Engine Cooling Liquid Power Horse Power 885 Power At Height (feet)...

This is from the Statistical Summary of 8th Air Force Operations, European Theater 17 Aug 1942 to 8 May 1945. Air Sea Rescue figures. To end February 1944 the figures include all USAAF personnel, after that just 8th AF. It is sourced from the RAF Air/Sea Rescue Monthly Summaries and as such...

Which documents state the Rotols were being fitted in October 1939? The Contract Cards and Serial Registers are saying late February 1940 was the change over. The Spitfire I stayed with 2 pitch until mid 1940 except for a special order. The US aviation industry was largely civilian based...

According to the RAF report on 8th Air Force strength the Heavy Bomber Groups had an establishment of 35 or 36 aircraft, this was raised to 48 in early January 1944. In late 1942 most groups had around 36 bombers Mid June 1943 most groups had around 40 bombers (low 27 high 46) Mid August 1943...

The generic story is the pre/early war RAF fitted constant speed propellers to its bombers before the fighters. According to the Ministry of Aircraft Production De Havilland Stag Lane built around 2,225 propellers in the second half of 1939 and 4,833 in 1940, Lostock built around 3,275 in the...

1 XBT-12 officially accepted in May 1941, serial 39-719 contract AC-12728 dated 21 June 1939 24 BT-12, first accepted in December 1942 then the remainder May to September 1943, serials 42-3684 to 3707. Contract AC-20857 dated 8 October 1941, originally for 200 aircraft (42-3684 to 3883). 2...

If you mean January/February 1944 the units were part of IV/JG51, if 1945 was meant they were part of III/JG51. https://www.ww2.dk/air/jagd.html

Except Harris was never in a position to deny resources to Coastal Command, he did effectively advocate for more resources for Bomber Command, mostly from February 1942 onwards, the more senior RAF people and the Government allocated resources. As allied anti submarine range increased the...

F7F with power on otherwise No power stalling speed at Gross Weight, plus take off distance in feet from a land base, no wind (FR-1 figures Piston / Piston & Jet, F4U-1D/FG-1D Normal / Emergency take off) Model Date Pounds MPH Feet F4F-3 14-Aug-42 7,556 79.1 550 F4F-3 14-Aug-42 8,361 85.5...

Please define extremely little and high altitude. It was not used mostly at low altitude. High altitude in WWII was above 20,000 feet, few combat sorties were done above 30,000 feet, usually by pressure cabin aircraft like Mosquitoes. So as lots of bombers dropped bombs and laid mines only the...

Passing a message on, Firstly Mosquito and Lancaster blades. These are all hydromatics : 'I had a look through sections of my files. This is not a complete listing of propeller types but a shortened version (i.e. to save my time, full designation not always provided) of blade types used with...

What is the definition of high altitude and what loss rate qualifies for practically invulnerable? As noted in the early B-29 raids on Japan it was used at high altitude, losses were expected, the question being the definition of acceptable losses. This sort of reminds me of the quote WWII was...