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Spitfires and Hurricanes were refused for Malaya service in 1940-41 as they were needed for Home and North Africa. Some Hurricanes were eventually sent in Jan 1942.
If the Brewster Buffalo has not been made available, and no Spitfires or Hurricanes are sent, what is the best RAF fighter for Malaya? In addition to British aircraft, US types are to be considered, as the same British commission that evaluated and bought the Buffalo in 1939-40 will be in the US buying something. IIRC it's too soon for non-folding Martlets.
My pick is the Curtis P-36 (RAF Mohawk), shown below in India in 1943. But I'm not certain if 200+ aircraft would be available to the RAF in late 1940 in time to deploy to Malaya in early 1941.
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The Blackburn Skua left FAA service in 1941. Maybe send some of these? Poor bastards.
Instead of odds and sods worn Gladiators scraped together from across the Middle East (which was what was offered IOTL) how about a proper refurbishment of Gladiators to Malta type standards? New Mercuries with VP propellors and a 6 gun armament. Sea Gladiators being stripped of naval items. Either to go to Malaya or to go to the OTL Mohawk users releasing the Mohawks?
Mind you, the bigger difference to the campaign would have been more and better anti shipping aeroplanes. Best place to defeat the Japanese army is at sea.
Either way, I think you're on the most likely track, that of Gladiators. Even against the Nakajima Ki-27 the Gladiators will be hard pressed.Instead of odds and sods worn Gladiators scraped together from across the Middle East (which was what was offered IOTL) how about a proper refurbishment of Gladiators to Malta type standards? New Mercuries with VP propellors and a 6 gun armament. Sea Gladiators being stripped of naval items.
True. MTGBs, SSKs and Beaufighters would have stomped the essential landings from Formosa and FIC. Stop those and the Army can likely hold the Thai border. Leave Force Z at Ceylon, but sent whatever destroyers can be spared from the Atlantic ASW.Mind you, the bigger difference to the campaign would have been more and better anti shipping aeroplanes. Best place to defeat the Japanese army is at sea.
If the Brewster Buffalo has not been made available, and no Spitfires or Hurricanes are sent, what is the best RAF fighter for Malaya? In addition to British aircraft, US types are to be considered, as the same British commission that evaluated and bought the Buffalo in 1939-40 will be in the US buying something.
Yes, agreed, but we need them in the Middle East. I imagine the Mohawk IV is superior to the Ki-27 and the equal of the Ki-43-I. The P-40 superior to both.P-40.
I agree, I doubt the P-40 would be made available to Malayan defence.Yes, agreed, but we need them in the Middle East. I imagine the Mohawk IV is superior to the Ki-27 and the equal of the Ki-43-I. The P-40 superior to both.
We really need to get HAL producing fighters but they failed to make the Mohawk.I agree, I doubt the P-40 would be made available to Malayan defence.
What about joining the Dutch East Indies AF in their orders of the Curtiss-Wright CW-21? Is the Vultee Vanguard really that bad? Can't be worse than a Buffalo.
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My absolute top pick would be to get the Miles M.20 produced either in the UK or in Canada/ANZ or India and shipped to Malaya. It seems to be the ideal colonial fighter.
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Love the P-66, and the CW-21 should be at least half-decent fighter hopefuly.I agree, I doubt the P-40 would be made available to Malayan defence.
What about joining the Dutch East Indies AF in their orders of the Curtiss-Wright CW-21? Is the Vultee Vanguard really that bad? Can't be worse than a Buffalo.
My absolute top pick would be to get the Miles M.20 produced either in the UK or in Canada/ANZ or India and shipped to Malaya. It seems to be the ideal colonial fighter.
Unfortunately Captain Eric "Winkle" Brown wasn't a fan of my proposed Miles M.20.Love the P-66, and the CW-21 should be at least half-decent fighter hopefuly.
Supposedly it have had much more fuel than Hurricane.
I understood that it was more manoeuvrable, faster and had longer range. What did Eric have to say?Unfortunately Captain Eric "Winkle" Brown wasn't a fan of my proposed Miles M.20.
My understanding is that he tested the naval variant. Perhaps the RAF version was fine, and just not produced because the BoB was over.I understood that it was more manoeuvrable, faster and had longer range. What did Eric have to say?
My understanding is that he tested the naval variant. Perhaps the RAF version was fine, and just not produced because the BoB was over.
So, let's get making them for Malaya! I visited the Battlebox last year and was surprised to see an entire RAF director office, with the big table map, long sticks and aircraft markers. It just needed some good aircraft to direct.
Never knew the naval variant's top speed was only just over 300 mph or that the standard variant had a long take off run. Looks like it's overall performance was similar to the RAF's Tomahawk / FAA's Martlet.