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("When WW2 started, everyone was still doing WW1 style air combat.")
I don't think that is correct. The Luftwaffe experimented with the Rotte (2 aircraft) and Schwarm (4 aircraft. A pair of Rotte) during the Spanish Civil War. They also worked out dive zoom tactics for the Me-109. These aerial combat techniques were standardized by 1939.
I don't know the action being discussed but do know that the plan was for the Defiant to start above the Bomber, dive underneath it, get to the blind spot below and to one side before firing away. While this is happening the bombers top and bottom guns will have the chance to fire first, the bomber will of course stay straight and level and the defending fighters ignore this sitting defenceless duck which is trying to shoot down the bombers.
Hmmm. I'm having visions of the Ju-88 dropping it's bombs and then defeating the Defiant in a dog fight.
Defiant
Boulton Paul Defiant - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
304 mph max speed @ 17,000 feet.
Ju-88 A4
Junkers Ju 88 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
317 mph max speed
Hmmm. I'm having visions of the Ju-88 dropping it's bombs and then defeating the Defiant in a dog fight.
The so called "Battle of Britain" lasted about 3 months. No German aircraft is going to excel in that environment unless they are produced in much greater numbers then what happened historically.
Meanwhile there were another 56 months of WWII in Europe. How do you think that Defiant fighter aircraft would perform during those 56 months? I think it would get slaughtered even if it receives newer model Merlin engines over time.
Meanwhile there were another 56 months of WWII in Europe. How do you think that Defiant fighter aircraft would perform during those 56 months? I think it would get slaughtered even if it receives newer model Merlin engines over time.
By 1940 it was clear the 110's and Defiant usefulness as a dog fighter was all but gone, however there was niche missions both could do well in, if flown correctly.
By 1940 the 110's usefulness as a dogfighter was all but gone, that I agree. That the Defiant ever had a chance as a dogfighter I disagree, it was a bad idea that never had a chance, was a waste of resources and tragically the cause of wasted lives. Period
Germany probably had more night fighters employed against Britain during 1941 to 1945 then day fighters. That's a primary mission, not a niche mission.
Apologies, because i have not read all the posts. I think it was a waste and a bad idea as a day fighter. Its whole conception was flawed. It had some success however, as a night fighter, shortround said the radar was not very good. That would be true if measured against the later war AI radars, but in 1941 it had the best AI radar in the world, and according to Gunston, these enjoyed considerable success.
The Defiant was retired, not because it was unsuccessful, but because its successor, the Beaufighter NF offered much better capability.