Best Fleet Air Arm (Royal Navy) Aircraft of WW2

[Gemhorse]

I have no criticism of the Swordfish, which did a terrific job considering. However, the backbone of Carrier defence was the Seafire, and although it was secondary to the US aircraft used by FAA, it still did a good job as well, particuarly the Mk.XV, being Griffon-engined. Also, they were armed with cannon, whereas most other Carrier Fighters were armed with MG's.- Although mostly defensive, they did alot of offensive operations, bombing and strafing during the Pacific conflict, and as a testament to their adaption to the role of Carrier Fighter, it wasn't until post-1954 that Seafires were finally superceded by the Supermarine Attacker, the first FAA jet fighter...

 

[Lightning Guy]

The Seafire Mk. XV didn't enter service until May of '45. There were less than three months left in the war and only four squadrons were equipped with it during the war. According to the FAA's own website, the Royal Navy ended up using Corsairs and Hellcats as the primary fleet defense fighter.

 

[the lancaster kicks ass]

and of corse we all know who made the corsair the fighter it was............

 

[cheddar cheese]

yup. the trouble is the "terrible two", archer and viper, dont post anymore so theres no-one to argue

 

[the lancaster kicks ass]

it seems there are less and less regular posters now, we're a dying breed, however erich's araival has made things a bit better, if a bit longer.............

 

[cheddar cheese]

yup since bronzewhaler left its all been downhill

 

[the lancaster kicks ass]

i wouldn't say that, i'm still here afterall

(i'm expecting a good reply here................)

 

[Gemhorse]

Yeah, you're quite right there LG...Bloody fine looking aircraft though ! - I'm a fan of the Corsair too, having recently read of a N.Z. Pilot who flew them, quite a viceless aircraft in the hands of an experienced pilot. I liked the fact that the Pratt Whitney engines were so reliable and durable, having a cylinder shot-out, and you could still fly home ! - Something y'can't do with inline V12's...- They used these R-2800 engines in so many different aircraft, a real testament to Radials, and American Engineering....

 

[Lightning Guy]

I've heard of P-47s over Europe coming back with multiple cylinders shot out.

 

[the lancaster kicks ass]

radials give more H.P, but they cause more air resistance, so they cancel each other out..................

 

[Lightning Guy]

Depends on how much more power they give. On the basic R-2800 producing 2,000 hp it probably does cancel out. By the end of the war, an engine of the exact same size was producing 2,850hp which is a decided advantage.

 

[the lancaster kicks ass]

whereas inlines generally give less power, but offer less air resistance...................

 

[cheddar cheese]

what about engines in a V configuration, they offer more power than in-lines but in a samaller space, meaning even less air resistance.

 

[the lancaster kicks ass]

as far as i know inlines were more common than Vs...........

 

[cheddar cheese]

wasnt the merlin a V12 though?

 

[GermansRGeniuses]

I don't know about the Merlin, but the Db-601,-603,-605, and -610 (two linked Db-605's) were all inverted v's.

 

[the lancaster kicks ass]

sorry, it's just in a book i was reading, it talks about inlines, so i assumed they were common................

 

[cheddar cheese]

in-lines are actually quite rare especially with 12 cylinders. in-line 6's are common as are in-line 4's 8)

 

[Gemhorse]

Actually, radials required alot more work for the pilot, as in aerobatics the engines being air-cooled, required constant temperature-watching and resultant cowl-flap adjustment...I imagine they eventually got thermostats, like the Mustangs had, to control the constant air altitude change on the engine while in combat. - The Corsair was quickly passed onto the US Marines by their Navy, because of their vicious stall which made carrier operation alot trickier...choosing the Hellcat instead...Many were passed onto the FAA, but Corsairs were a much better land-based fighter and although more powerful than the earlier Seafires, the latter was used more for Carriers. - The RNZAF had 13 Corsair Sqn.'s during the Soloman's conflict, and they were used as land-based fighters. The FAA did continue to use them though, even off light fleet carriers, their pilots were indeed heroic chaps...Land-based Corsairs landed at up to 120 knots, the Carrier guys at 83 knots, five knots short of their very dangerous stall-speed....

 

[Lightning Guy]

Other reasons for not deploying the Corsair to carriers immediately included bounce on landing and horrid visibility over the nose.