Did the RAF have designs for a long range escort fighter?

[Airframes]

A typical summer day in the UK. This is Duxford ..............

 

[drgondog]

Sorry, I was just making estimates based on what I knew. I then converted the figures into nautical miles as he asked.
What about if you were flying at 25000-30000 feet? Less range than at 10,000 feet
So total range was 60% or slightly below, not 2/3? 1000 mi straight line (P-51), 300 Combat Radius (is easier) - P47 800 mi straight line, 200 combat radius - no external tanks for both - 184 gallons P-51B w/o 85 gal fuse tank, 305 gallons P-47C/D
I assume circling the base as the squadron forms in twos and fours was routine, but as you were forming up groups of two or fours into whole squadrons and air-groups this became a lengthly exercise? About 5-7 minutes from first takeoff to Group assembled and climbing.
You mean some ran a race-track pattern, doing full 360's? Or did they just speed up and slow down? Race track at 180IAS
I thought they were cruising at 300 TAS wtih or without tanks... interesting detail. That Drag 'thingy'
So they took some liberties that resulted in some pilots having to find a decently flat piece of land or a road to plunk it in, or bail-out

Yes. often ditchings in Channel were due to fuel starvation coming home.

 

[Zipper730]

Less than at 10,000 feet

No that's not what I meant: What I meant was what effect did flying at 25000-31000' have on mission planning? I ask because bomber escort missions often did entail flying at those altitudes.

1000 mi straight line (P-51), 300 Combat Radius (is easier) - P47 800 mi straight line, 200 combat radius - no external tanks for both

Fascinating: I didn't know the effects varied so much, but I gotta say one thing -- the P-47 gets it rough.

About 5-7 minutes from first takeoff to Group assembled and climbing.

Okay, I understand you

Race track at 180IAS

I'm amazed they were able to stay with them all the way to Berlin...

Yes. often ditchings in Channel were due to fuel starvation coming home.

That must have been costly

 

[drgondog]

No that's not what I meant: What I meant was what effect did flying at 25000-31000' have on mission planning? I ask because bomber escort missions often did entail flying at those altitudes.

The AAF developed Range tables for The P-38/47 and 51. Look up the P-51B/D Operating data Range Tables and parse to the bottom section for data on 'clean', w/75 gallon external. 110 gal external by altitude.

 

[Milosh]

 

[pbehn]

Just a historical reminder that during the Battle of the Bulge the battle was fought by ground forces because the whole region was fog bound for days, there was a lot of weather like that at the time.