Admiral Beez
Major
Had the Air Ministry refused the FAA the Gloster Gladiator or if the FAA didn't want it, what would have replaced the Hawker Nimrod?
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If our enemy in 1939/40 is either Italy or Japan then the performance of the Sea Gladiator is adequate. Germany doesn't need to come into the decision making until 1940 when they take Norway and the West Coast of France. So stick with the Sea Gladiator as Gladiators are operational overseas so there shouldn't be a shortage of spare parts. In 1940, the Hurricane becomes operational overseas, reequip with the Sea Hurricane. The MB 2 if it could be got into service quickly instead of the Roc would be my preference. Perhaps the Air Ministry should have insisted that all the radial engined fighter prototypes flying be carrier capable instead of requiring them to be for colonial use only.Had the Air Ministry refused the FAA the Gloster Gladiator or if the FAA didn't want it, what would have replaced the Hawker Nimrod?
But the Sea Gladiator doesn't exist. What are the other options to replace the Nimrod?If our enemy in 1939/40 is either Italy or Japan then the performance of the Sea Gladiator is adequate.
I see, I misunderstood. Well, first there are those utterly useless Henley. Don't build them, build Sea Hurricanes. Alternately a Sea Hotspur without the turret, but with wing guns, catapult spools and arrestor hook. I'd suggest the Sea Hurricane but the navy would probably want a bigger wing and wing folding. I'd still want 50 float equipped MB 2 fighters with catapults spools, and 85 MB 2s with retractable undercarriage, folding wings, catapult spools and arrestor hooks instead of the Roc. Boulton Paul would build me another 140 later instead of the Defiant TT III. I need them instead of Martlets. Using 100 octane fuel of course.But the Sea Gladiator doesn't exist. What are the other options to replace the Nimrod?
The real necessary ingredient is the FAA being returned to the RN about ten years prior at the latest. A more sympathetic air Ministry is also very desirable. I believe had the timing been such the FAA would have probably had aircraft of equivalent quality (but probably not quantity) to the Japanese and American navies by 1940.I suspect that one problem at this time is about the time when the FAA was being placed under RN control, and the staff expertise was still developing. Could the FAA even ask the right questions to develop a Nimrod replacement? I think the answer is "No!" as shown by the Blackburn Roc.
Returning its aviation arm back to the RN about the time WWII was starting was lousy timing.
Better still, the RNAS is retained in 1919. Only the RFC becomes the RAF.The real necessary ingredient is the FAA being returned to the RN about ten years prior at the latest. A more sympathetic air Ministry is also very desirable. I believe had the timing been such the FAA would have probably had aircraft of equivalent quality (but probably not quantity) to the Japanese and American navies by 1940.
FAA would have probably had aircraft of equivalent quality (but probably not quantity) to the Japanese and American navies by 1940.
Could the FAA even ask the right questions to develop a Nimrod replacement? I think the answer is "No!" as shown by the Blackburn Roc.
The superlative a5m jumps to mind.What aircraft in service in January 1940 in the US and Japanese navies was noticeably better than the RNs equivalent aircraft. Remember no Zero no Wildcat no Dauntless no Val's only one I can think was much better was the Kate
The superlative a5m jumps to mind.
The specs appear close but it does have a better rate of climb (not drastic but still), and enough level and dive speed advantage to control the terms of engagement (wiki and Google numbers). While not devastating advantages if a theoretical IJN flight is attempting to attack RN carriers. Flip the scenario and the RN attackers are in for a very tough time assaulting the IJN carriers imho.A superb aircraft but not massively better than the SeaGladiator or F3F. The early success of Japanese aircraft was often down to the pilots who were the best most experienced pilots in the world at the time.
The Roc was an Air Ministry order pre the RN taking over the FAA
What is a Sea Gladiator? It doesn't exist, that's why we're chatting today. We're trying to replace the Nimrod without the Gladiator. If you want to stay on topic you need to compare the A5M and F3F with the Nimrod.A superb aircraft but not massively better than the SeaGladiator
If the RN is still operating the Nimrod in January 1940, the answer is plenty. Of course serving alongside the Nimrod is the Skua, so that's something modern at least.What aircraft in service in January 1940 in the US and Japanese navies was noticeably better than the RNs equivalent aircraft?