Recent content by merlin

  1. M

    Why so few single engine Hercules applications?

    The Bristol design was based on the earlier '151' - 'high-speed' design - just adding bigger wings, accounted for it's short length of only 25' 3"!, perhaps Bristol weren't too confident, hence also offered the twin engine 153A. The B-P P.88a had a span of 39' 6", length 32' 8", w/a 260 sq/f...
  2. M

    Short S-26 G Class flying boat

    Got to wonder what complete military version would have looked like as opposed to the rushed conversion of civilian aircraft. Just as the Sunderland was the military version of the 'C' Class, so there was to be a similar version of the 'G' Class - probably solved the 'Atlantic gap'. Shorts...
  3. M

    Why so few single engine Hercules applications?

    The Saro Lerwick is probably one of the earliest Hercules powered aircraft to have flown - making its appearance in th autumn of 1938. That the type did not last long is more to do with its design rather than the engine. Sadly, we'll never know how it would have performed as a fighter - the most...
  4. M

    P36 vs Hurricane

    Any more info there about the charachistics of the Gloster f.5/34? Surprised it thought visibility was better in the P-36, compared to the 'all-round' cockpit canopy of the Gloster!
  5. M

    Blackburn Botha to Gloster Reaper

    Interesting info - stona - I wonder the parameters that led to that decision that R-R can cope, would have been altered if rather than the Stirling being ordered, the Boulton-Paul design was instead. with its engine requirements being amended from four kestrels to four Merlins!?
  6. M

    Blackburn Botha to Gloster Reaper

    Some dimensions for comparisons: Gloster 'twin' Span 50' 0", length 37' 0", wing area 386 sq. ft., Weigts - empty, 8,828 lb; loaded 11,615 lb, max speed (Peregrine) 2 x 885 hp = 330 mph. Focke-Wulf FW 187 Span 50' 3", length 36' 5", wing area 327.222 sq. ft., weights empty 8,160 lb, loaded...
  7. M

    Blackburn Botha to Gloster Reaper

    I would not make any comparisons with the German twin Me-110, however, there are many similarities in size etc. to the FW-187 - even more so when looking at the redesign that became the Reaper. IMHO - I would not have considered the possibility of it carrying a torpedo - just because it could as...
  8. M

    Blackburn Botha to Gloster Reaper

    Yes, interesting to where else it could be produced, I think it could have been produced earlier e.g. rather than the spec. you mention, become the 'back-up aircraft to the designs for the spec that became the Whirlwind. Gloster designed an aircraft to fulfil a turret-fighter requirement...
  9. M

    Which aircraft would you cancel?

    Ah yes, my mistake re. S.25. The 'C' Class Empire flying boats were part financed on the understanding (as I recall) the a military version would be based on it - this became the Sunderland. Whilst the 'C' Class was a success to India & Australia, there was a need to compete with the US on the...
  10. M

    Which aircraft would you cancel?

    Some interesting historical info here. Re; underemployed design staff - I think that was one of the reasons why Shorts were invited to submit a design - which became the Stirling, on the other hand they could just as easily been engaged in a military version of the S.25 flying boat. Re: the...
  11. M

    Which aircraft would you cancel?

    Using the term 'cancel' loosely, I would not have ordered the Short design that became the Stirling, but instead gone for the Bolton-Paul Design, IMHO would've seen service earlier. I would have reduced production of the Battle - Austin Shadow factory instead makes Hurricanes. Again, I would not...
  12. M

    BIRTHDAYS/CALENDER

    I too, missed having one - seems with the new format - that facility got deleted. Any ideas when that will be re-available?
  13. M

    Which aircraft would you cancel?

    A link/website which may be of interest about the Henley: Hawker Henley Light Bomber / Target Tug Blenheim replacement: the Beaumont nearly happened, but the Air Ministry kept changing their mind what they wanted, and when the Buckingham came along it was too late - its role was already taken...
  14. M

    Which aircraft would you cancel?

    In 1936 the spec for bombers that would form the four-engine bomber force would made, selections made in early '37. But then look at the make up planned of the RAF - from the Right of the Line p.51/52 " .. in Swinton's words "what as a General Staff you consider is militarily the proper...
  15. M

    Which aircraft would you cancel?

    To continue: Fairey - it shouldn't have been too difficult to go from the Swordfish to the Barracuda, missing out the Albacore. The Battle could have been short lived, once the Geneva Disarmament talks didn't stipulate a bomber weight, but IMHO production shouldn't have gone on so long - e.g...
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