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How soon can the P-51H or equivalent be introduced in large numbers?
Another option would be to strip daylight bombers of all defensive armament except the tail turret, lighten the bomb loads and increase cruise speed to the maximum possible. This would reduce contact time with Luftwaffe fighters and reduce losses via Flak and probably reduce overall losses. It would also better match escort fighter and bomber cruise speeds.
I think that some people were doing operations research during and shortly after the war, and concluded that the defensive armament in the heavy bombers was, counter-intuitively, increasing casualties, as the gunners increased crew size without commensurate decrease in the probability of a plane's being lost.
Another option would be to strip daylight bombers of all defensive armament except the tail turret, lighten the bomb loads and increase cruise speed to the maximum possible. This would reduce contact time with Luftwaffe fighters and reduce losses via Flak and probably reduce overall losses. It would also better match escort fighter and bomber cruise speeds.
They did not have the range to operate over Germany.Put a lot more effort into getting their jets fielded, of course. The jets -- Meteor, P-80, Vampire -- could probably have been pushed into squadron service several months earlier than historical. That they were not available over the skies of Europe was because they were not needed, not because the US and UK were incapable.
The Me 262 was superior to the P-51, the same way the P-51 was superior to the 109 and 190: its speed! The P-51s ONLY chance to kill a Me 262 was to surprise a Me 262 by diving down on it and momentarily match its speed. (Or of course circling over its airfield) The Me 262 had superior speed and climb rate. It could break off at will. The P-51 had to rely on manoeuvrability to escape from a Me 262. Unfortunately, this is also what the Japanese Zero had left when compared to the F-6F and P-47, or all those agile planes of the countries Germany conquered in 1940/1941. They were all more manoeuvrable than the Bf 109, but it was of no use: the Bf 109 held the advantage that it could break off the fight and reinitiate it if it saw a chance. That, I think, is the single most important lesson of WW2 aerial combat.The allies would still have shot them down, plenty were shot down. Hans Fey explained quite nicely how to do it. The only advantage it had was speed and this could be negated when the jet was attacked from an advantageous position.
You are sure it can be done, but you fail to come up with one suggestion? I guess that is what they mean by blind faith? Faith in the invincibility of the Allied air forces...i dont believe daylight bombing would have ceased unless all other avenues failed. i am sure the allies would have tried several different tactics and adapted. every scheme and effort would be put into catching the 262s flatfooted...on the ground or taking off. i think it can be done.
Yeah, I read about that too. Evading the Me 262 and then turning back inwards to strafe the passing Me 262. A very difficult manoeuvre, yet some American pilots actually shot down Me 262 like this. It requires excellent control over your aircraft and excellent gunnery.let me to the above posts about 262's during the day ops one problem all pilots had was turning radius because of excess speed the P-51 could turn inside nearly all times to bring a side shot to the jets fuselage.....in the flat out of course forget it.
They did not have the range to operate over Germany.
The Me 262 was superior to the P-51, the same way the P-51 was superior to the 109 and 190: its speed! The P-51s ONLY chance to kill a Me 262 was to surprise a Me 262 by diving down on it and momentarily match its speed. (Or of course circling over its airfield) The Me 262 had superior speed and climb rate. It could break off at will. The P-51 had to rely on manoeuvrability to escape from a Me 262. Unfortunately, this is also what the Japanese Zero had left when compared to the F-6F and P-47, or all those agile planes of the countries Germany conquered in 1940/1941. They were all more manoeuvrable than the Bf 109, but it was of no use: the Bf 109 held the advantage that it could break off the fight and reinitiate it if it saw a chance. That, I think, is the single most important lesson of WW2 aerial combat.
You are sure it can be done, but you fail to come up with one suggestion? I guess that is what they mean by blind faith? Faith in the invincibility of the Allied air forces...