Jabberwocky
Staff Sergeant
In the RAF/Coastal Command, weapon use went through a cycle.
Initially, medium altitude level bombing was the preferred method, being seen as the best compromise between accuracy and survivability. In addition, early UK aerial torpedoes had some problems with break-up and off angle running..
W
hen the limitations of bombing accuracy against moving sea targets and the effectiveness of flak at medium altitude was realised, attacks moved towards low level torpedo bombing (late 1940 onwards). This was in combination with the entry of remedies to some of the limitations of torpedoes and the increasing deployment of the Beaufort as a torpedo bomber. The Beaufort was also a notably poor level bombing platform, which might have also prompted the tactical shift.
From around March/April 1943 RP-3s began to replace torps. A combination of the two weapons was seen as the best choice, with Beauforts, Beaufighters and occasionally Mosquitos providing a mixed force providing both flak supression and destructive power. Later the combination of rocket armed Beaufighters and Mossies worked very well for the Coastal Command anti-ship patrols around Norway.
In mid-late 1943, the Beufort also began to be used for shallow angle dive bombing attacks by the RAF and also RAAF. This was mostly employed against merchantmen, as this was considered somewhat suicidal against warships. In the Med in 1943, UK anti-ship ops would have included bombers, torp carriers and rocket carriers.
The RAAF also used the Beauforts for level bombing attacks, after changes to the engine nacels, wing leading edges, dorsal turret and increasing the tail area by 15% increased directional stability and made for a better bombing platform.
The 6lbr Molins, for all that it gets talked about, wasn't actually used that much, with only 18 Tse Tse Mosquitos being build and maybe only 15 seeing active service.
Initially, medium altitude level bombing was the preferred method, being seen as the best compromise between accuracy and survivability. In addition, early UK aerial torpedoes had some problems with break-up and off angle running..
W
hen the limitations of bombing accuracy against moving sea targets and the effectiveness of flak at medium altitude was realised, attacks moved towards low level torpedo bombing (late 1940 onwards). This was in combination with the entry of remedies to some of the limitations of torpedoes and the increasing deployment of the Beaufort as a torpedo bomber. The Beaufort was also a notably poor level bombing platform, which might have also prompted the tactical shift.
From around March/April 1943 RP-3s began to replace torps. A combination of the two weapons was seen as the best choice, with Beauforts, Beaufighters and occasionally Mosquitos providing a mixed force providing both flak supression and destructive power. Later the combination of rocket armed Beaufighters and Mossies worked very well for the Coastal Command anti-ship patrols around Norway.
In mid-late 1943, the Beufort also began to be used for shallow angle dive bombing attacks by the RAF and also RAAF. This was mostly employed against merchantmen, as this was considered somewhat suicidal against warships. In the Med in 1943, UK anti-ship ops would have included bombers, torp carriers and rocket carriers.
The RAAF also used the Beauforts for level bombing attacks, after changes to the engine nacels, wing leading edges, dorsal turret and increasing the tail area by 15% increased directional stability and made for a better bombing platform.
The 6lbr Molins, for all that it gets talked about, wasn't actually used that much, with only 18 Tse Tse Mosquitos being build and maybe only 15 seeing active service.