B29WereWolf
Airman
- 64
- Aug 2, 2010
Since the A-1 first flew in 1946, I'm curious if it had entered service (with AAC/Navy/Marines) during the last year, say June 1944, what it might have been like.
Hypothetical, A-1 Skyraider in WW2
- Thread starter B29WereWolf
- Start date
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SaparotRob
Unter Gemeine Geschwader Murmeltier XIII
AWESOME!
BlackSheep
Banned
- 443
- May 31, 2018
With the growing development of CAS and the looming invasions of the home islands, I suspect they would gain the same rep that the A-10 enjoys today with troops.
Many one know if the A-1 was able to operate off escort carriers?
Shortround6
Major General
Might depend on actual engine, load and desired range.
The Prototype used a 2500hp engine that was about 300hp more than the B-29 engines.
with 15kts over the deck it needed 532 ft to take off with full internal fuel and MK 13 torpedo.
BlackSheep
Banned
- 443
- May 31, 2018
I did a little checking and found the Skyraider is a few feet smaller, depending on the source about the same weight or less than an Avenger. I found a reference that said an Avenger landed at 75 mph and one that states the Skyraiders final stall speed was 76-78 mph.
Using these numbers, my less than aeronautically-inclined mind reasons the Skyraider could serve on escort carriers. Correct? If yes, imagine escort carriers replacing their Wildcats and Avengers for Bearcats and Skyraiders during the battles for the home islands! Talk about a can of whup ass…
GrauGeist
Generalfeldmarschall zur Luftschiff Abteilung
The A-1 was certainly a flying dump truck, but if it were at or near it's full loadout, it would not be able to get off of an escort carrier, the distance was too short.
Besides, it's mission profile would dictate being operated from a fleet carrier.
Besides, it's mission profile would dictate being operated from a fleet carrier.
Shortround6
Major General
What was the magazine capacity of the escort carriers?
Doubling the bomb load of planes for instance, doesn't do a lot for ground attack if you don't double the ship magazine capacity.
Doubling the bomb load of planes for instance, doesn't do a lot for ground attack if you don't double the ship magazine capacity.
Thumpalumpacus
Major
June of 1944? Just in time for Philippine Sea ...
BlackSheep
Banned
- 443
- May 31, 2018
Improvise, adapt, and overcome! Perhaps the strongest quality possessed by American frontline forces in wars past…
FLYBOYJ
"THE GREAT GAZOO"
Many things "would have" had to come together for this to happen. IIRC the first A-1s did have some structural issues that were worked out through fixes in the field and subsequent models. Had the contract been let about a year and a half earlier, it was a possibility we might have seen at least one Skyraider squadron operational by late 1944.
Casablanca class (the main type of CVE used offensively in the Pacific) for 16 FM-2 + 12 TBM
Aviation ordnance - 276 tons
Avgas (US gals) - 130,000.
Commencement Bay (entering service in 1945) for 20 F6F / F4U + 12 TBM
Aviation ordnance - 515 tons
Avgas (US gals) - 151,000
The plan in Oct 1945 would have seen a CVEG of 18 F8F + 12 TBM but that would be looking at the Commencement Bay class only.
Replacing the TBM with AD-1 is probably going to mean more frequent replenishment at sea with avgas being a greater limiting factor. By 1945 replenishment at sea had grown to include fuel, munitions and general stores.
But if the AD-1 was available, it would first have gone to the Midway and Essex classes replacing TBM & SB2C
DBII
Senior Master Sergeant
Bearcats, and Tigercats, and Skyraiders,
o my!
o my!
Shortround6
Major General
Parking explosive ordnance outside of designed areas (magazines generally had air conditioning, the rest of the ship did not) can also lead to immolation, alighting, detonation and destruction. Magazines also had provisions for fast (very fast) flooding.
DBII
Senior Master Sergeant
Extra bomb load...
FLYBOYJ
"THE GREAT GAZOO"
And once again you make statements with minimal resources.
Had the AD been available a year or two earlier, the SBD, SB2C and Avenger could have gone away or used for other duties.
The whole point was EXTRA BOMBS! At a minimum it carried over TWICE the bombload of the F4U and was able to stay in the air longer than the F4U. Please do some research before engaging!
GrauGeist
Generalfeldmarschall zur Luftschiff Abteilung
That "Extra bomb load" of the AD was twice that of the F4U-4.
Not to mention that the AD could pack a torpedo or mines or a load of 4,000 pounds of bombs AND wing-mounted rockets.
SaparotRob
Unter Gemeine Geschwader Murmeltier XIII
And look good doing it!
FLYBOYJ
"THE GREAT GAZOO"
Photo credit - the internet
SaparotRob
Unter Gemeine Geschwader Murmeltier XIII
Looking good!
