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HiOne thing that should be noted is that the XP-51F was being flown at altitudes in testing of over 45,000 ft, and the XP-51G attained 46,000+ ft. The F had standard V-1650-3/7 Merlins, and the G had the RM 14SM (Merlin 100 prototype), which were general purpose/mid alt. engines (though the -3 was biased for higher altitude work, which suited the F as it was designed as an interceptor). I think that the -3 was based on the Merlin 61/63, and the -7 was based on the Merlin 66. The Merlin 100 and 130 series/RM 14SM were improved Merlin 66s, while the RM 16SM/Merlin 110 series were improved 61s/63s/70 series.
But back to the XP-51F/G, the limiting factor in terms of ceiling was that they didn't have pressurized cockpits. And outside of the Welkin, I don't know of any fighters that I listed that had them (Miles M23A was supposed to have one, but remained a paper exercise, and maybe the Spitfire VII had one).
One thing that should be noted is that the XP-51F was being flown at altitudes in testing of over 45,000 ft, and the XP-51G attained 46,000+ ft.
This is a "big" what if, in that I'm hoping that it'll encompass aircraft that made it into service, aircraft that were evaluated, aircraft not used in the role but might have worked, prototypes, and paper projects. And I'll be looking at "light" (single engine) and "heavy" (twin engine) aircraft.
These are actual and proposed counters to the prospect of Luftwaffe high altitude bombers and the actually faced element of Ju-86 high alt. recon aircraft.
Among the aircraft (and it's not an all inclusive list, so you're allowed to add your own contributions) that I'll be including are:
Light:
Spitfire VII/HF VIII, lightweight Spitfire HF IX, Miles M23A, P-51B/C. P-51D/K, P-51H/L, XP-51F/G, P-47M (though light might be stretching it), XP-72 (see previous, and an evolution of the P-47 using P&W R-4360), Hawker Tempest with either two stage Griffon/Sabre/Centaurus, Hawker Fury with two stage Sabre/Centaurus, HF version of the Spitfire XIV/20 series, others
Heavy:
Westland Welkin (actual or improved), Mosquito F/NF XV, P-82B/C/D Twin Mustang, P-38J/L/K, P-38 with two stage Merlins, Vickers 432, others.
What would've/might have worked, what would you improve, what would you do?
How about the DH Vampire?This is a "big" what if, in that I'm hoping that it'll encompass aircraft that made it into service, aircraft that were evaluated, aircraft not used in the role but might have worked, prototypes, and paper projects. And I'll be looking at "light" (single engine) and "heavy" (twin engine) aircraft.
These are actual and proposed counters to the prospect of Luftwaffe high altitude bombers and the actually faced element of Ju-86 high alt. recon aircraft.
Among the aircraft (and it's not an all inclusive list, so you're allowed to add your own contributions) that I'll be including are:
Light:
Spitfire VII/HF VIII, lightweight Spitfire HF IX, Miles M23A, P-51B/C. P-51D/K, P-51H/L, XP-51F/G, P-47M (though light might be stretching it), XP-72 (see previous, and an evolution of the P-47 using P&W R-4360), Hawker Tempest with either two stage Griffon/Sabre/Centaurus, Hawker Fury with two stage Sabre/Centaurus, HF version of the Spitfire XIV/20 series, others
Heavy:
Westland Welkin (actual or improved), Mosquito F/NF XV, P-82B/C/D Twin Mustang, P-38J/L/K, P-38 with two stage Merlins, Vickers 432, others.
What would've/might have worked, what would you improve, what would you do?
..the RAF and USAAF didn't field bombers or recon aircraft over the ETO with pressurized cockpits. The B-29 only was used in the Pacific, and only a handful of Mosquitos were flown with pressure cabins over Europe.