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If the LW gets the 187 then the RAF has to get a Whirlwind MkII.
Both are about as likely as the other unfortunately.
The early P-38s, the -D and -E, were credited to some 375 mph at 20000 ft.
I follow Shortround's logic above. DB 6engines were in short supply from when they were originally released until sometime well after mid war. If I am not mistaken, the DB engines set the pace of Bf 109 production to a large degree. If that was the case, then one Fw 187 removes two Bf 109s, even if the airframes are ready and waiting for an engine.
So I'm thinking that the Bf 110 was still looked upon with considerable favor in the 1938 - 1939 timeframe.
If the LW gets the 187 then the RAF has to get a Whirlwind MkII.
The LW got the Fw 187(albeit in token numbers).
Jokes aside, technically the Fw 187 was more apt to receive the DB 6engine (it was done on experimental basis), than the Whirlwind to receive Merlins. The Whirly was just too small.
Yes, and fuselages and other components were found by the Allies at the end of the war. Whether they were ever to have been completed nobody knows. The Bf 110 was quite a Houdini, being axed several times, only to have production reinstated, continuing until the collapse of Nazi Germany.
It is an aeroplane which does not deserve the cursory dismissal it often receives. It was one of the most successful of all designs produced by Germany or any other nation in the 1930s/40s.
I don't find any mystery in the RLM's rejection of the Fw 187, given that they had the Bf 110.
As always hindsight is a wonderful thing, but not afforded to the decision makers in late 1937 when they decided that two engines was one many for a single seat fighter, the best configuration for the Fw 187. This more or less killed the type, and started the long and fruitless development of a two seat 'heavy fighter'. Subsequently Focke-Wulf grasped at a series of straws in an effort to get a decent contract for some, any, version of the type.
Nobody at the RLM or in the Luftwaffe in 1937/8 saw any need for the long range escort fighter that the Fw 187 might have been. All the planning was for scenarios for conflict with Germany's continental neighbours.
Rapidly deploying to, and operating from, forward airbases is something the Luftwaffe did exercise and train for.
Cheers
Steve
How does that follow?
On the other hand The Fw 187 had proved in direct comparison tests that when using same engines,was outperforming the 109 and could manouver with it in equal terms . Even the Jumo 210 Fw 187 was judged as better handling and agility than the Bf110 C (DB601s)!
I partially disagree. We all know today that Bf 110 was a very useful and capable Aircraft in a variety of roles.But we must note forget that the reason of its creation was neither the night fighting nor the ground attacls. It was designed and ordered as long range fightter to clear the road ahead of the bombers. And it was in this role that was almost exlusively used until BoB. Only after its failure did the germans seek oher roles for the Bf110. Only when it was proven in practice its incapability as Air superiority fighter was used for other things and the role of long range fighter remained empty in LW s roster. So, since it failed in the role that it was designed for, it was a massive failure. ( To be fair , bad tactics by LW also doomed the 110 in BoB)