- Thread starter
- #21
Nodeo-Franvier
Airman 1st Class
- 125
- Jul 13, 2020
They don't need to fly unescort thought, the Japanese fighter have the range to cover them.
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If Axis aircraft swap theater?
- Thread starter Nodeo-Franvier
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GrauGeist
Generalfeldmarschall zur Luftschiff Abteilung
The G3M & G4M had the range to strike anywhere in the UK as well as the A6M to escort them.
Additionally, the Hurricane historically did not fare well against the A6M and KI-43 in the PTO/CBI, so in this scenario, there is no reason why that would be different.
Additionally, the Hurricane historically did not fare well against the A6M and KI-43 in the PTO/CBI, so in this scenario, there is no reason why that would be different.
Glider
Captain
One obvious point. The KI43 and the A6M didn't enter service until mid late 1941 so if your thinking about BOB time your looking at Ki27 and A5 escorting the bombers which as they say, is a whole different ballgame.
If your looking at early 1942 your looking at Spit V with the huge advantage of radar control and time to be able to get the height advantage on the attacking forces.
The difference is the Hurricanes attacking over England will be under ground control, the aircraft will be in better condition, they will have the advantage
No they don't, Japanese planes got their range by flying very slowly for long periods, once they entered controlled airspace their speed will have to increase to their top speed, even then they are 10-15mph slower than the Mk11 Spitfire, the range will not be there at that speed.
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And the MkV with 4 20mm hispano's was rated at 375mph, they are going to make short work of the betty's.
- Thread starter
- #27
Nodeo-Franvier
Airman 1st Class
- 125
- Jul 13, 2020
A6M was actually introduced at the same month that BoB begins.
Introduced same month, ie: first units accepted by IJNAF, doesn't mean deployed in force, trained and battle-ready.
Japanese got their range by carrying a lot of fuel and by having their fighters outfitted with drop tanks, and then indeed by flying at low speed. Already the Ki-27 and A5M were carrying external tanks.
And by deleting things the Europeans thought important, like armor, self sealing tanks, radio's, minor things. The Spitfires and pilots flying in the BoB were very different to the Spitfires and pilots flying over Darwin, looking at what happened to armored Me109's and He111's, A6M's and Betty's would be slaughtered en mass over southern England in 1940
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- #31
Nodeo-Franvier
Airman 1st Class
- 125
- Jul 13, 2020
I don't think 8×.303 machine gun would be as effective as 4×0.50 carried by F4F and P-40.
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- #32
Nodeo-Franvier
Airman 1st Class
- 125
- Jul 13, 2020
The IJA also got Ki-48 bomber that was much better than Do 17 and Blenheim.
Granted, the Japanese didn't installed a lot of those important things until the last ww2 years, and I can only repeat my claim that Luftwaffe with Japanese gear is worse off in any year of the war we compare.
My statement about Japanese fighters (and bombers) carrying more fuel as being the recipe for great range still stands, though. Zero was carrying 535+330L in 1940, vs. the 1-engined fighters of the BoB carrying up to 400L (the drop tank added another 300L to the Bf 109, in late BoB).
Care to elaborate?
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Shortround6
Major General
The A6M introduced in Chine in 1940 in small numbers had a number of minor but important differences from the A6Ms used in Dec of 1941 and in 1942.
The A5M was not quite as fast as the MS 406 according to most sources.
The first production KI-48 showed up in July 1940 and the first combat unit was deployed to China in the fall of 1940.
Much better than the Do 17 and Blenheim depends a very rosy pair of glasses. Remember this is the Ki-48 I.
Faster yes, but poorer armed, no protection, lower bomb load (even lower than the Blenheim.) Range is less than the Blenheim.
BTW one source claims cruising speed of 217mph at 11, 485ft. That is not max cruise.
It is very hard to see what the Ki-48 I, even with a time machine, could offer the Germans in 1940.
The A5M was not quite as fast as the MS 406 according to most sources.
The first production KI-48 showed up in July 1940 and the first combat unit was deployed to China in the fall of 1940.
Much better than the Do 17 and Blenheim depends a very rosy pair of glasses. Remember this is the Ki-48 I.
Faster yes, but poorer armed, no protection, lower bomb load (even lower than the Blenheim.) Range is less than the Blenheim.
BTW one source claims cruising speed of 217mph at 11, 485ft. That is not max cruise.
It is very hard to see what the Ki-48 I, even with a time machine, could offer the Germans in 1940.
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- #35
Nodeo-Franvier
Airman 1st Class
- 125
- Jul 13, 2020
Ki-48 was quite a bit faster than both Do17 and Blenheim,with comparable bomb load.
Shortround6
Major General
The crews of the planes doing this are going to make many friends.
Friendly AA gun crews
Friendly local ground forces
Friendly POW camp guards
Friendly locals on work release details.
glennasher
Senior Airman
Short story- shorter war.
- Thread starter
- #38
Nodeo-Franvier
Airman 1st Class
- 125
- Jul 13, 2020
What about various Japanese light bomber?
Ki-48 carried half of what Do-17 carried. Defensive firepower was weak, ditto for protection until the -II came around.
It's main shortcoming was that it was too late, by 1940 both UK and Germany were well into fielding replacements for Blenehim and Do-17 respectively.
Shortround6
Major General
You mean the Ki-30 and Ki-32?
