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And even if FAA was ordering its own high performance fighters, would RAF have appropriate them ahead of BoB, leaving RN with nothing.
Not sure if a twin TSR/DB is a better solution or not to the Skua.
It doesn't really matter if the French or the Italians or whoever was using HS license props or not in combat planes. There were no "bonus" points for using a home designed propeller.
What matters was aircraft performance, aircraft reliability, and the odds of a crew of a multi engine aircraft making it home with one engine (and later with two) not operating.
Actually, I would put the lack of Skua development down to the the fact the Air Ministry's penchant for issuing specifications instead trusting manufacturers to develop & improve their existing designs. It was a pre-war practice that thankfully was reduced (but never eliminated) during the war.Let's put it this way, in my opinion, the Skua is not worth modifying and history proves me right on this, it was retired after only a few years in service and it wasn't modified beyond the basic design in multiple variants. The alternative is to create something else within an appropriate time period.
I would put the lack of development of the Skua down to lack of improved engine availability/foresight to implement said improvementActually, I would put the lack of Skua development down to the the fact the Air Ministry's penchant for issuing specifications instead trusting manufacturers to develop & improve their existing designs. It was a pre-war practice that thankfully was reduced (but never eliminated) during the war.
I always wondered about that windscreen. I chalked it up to one pint too many. Very informative post Don.I would put the lack of development of the Skua down to lack of improved engine availability/foresight to implement said improvement
Mitchell and team's initial design the Spitfire required a few blocks of lead on the engine bearers as they surmised adding a constant speed propeller was in the future. They also designed it so you could add a couple blocks of lead in the tail to counter balance a Griffon (or 2 stage Merlin). The Blackburn team didn't have that kind of fore thought.And there is no 1,200hp engine waiting anyways: Hercules is too heavy; Taurus was having troublesome development path and Perseus wasn't developed that far (the post war 1/2 Centaurus not withstanding)
p.s. That vertical windscreen is a function of paying too much attention to customer desires. Yes, it allowed a terrific view of the deck while landing, but it compromises performance at top end too much.
The Italians were using going by the 1938 Jane'sIt kinda does when assessing the situation in context. Your criticism was that Britain lagged behind in prop use. Behind whom, exactly? It didn't and evidence from what other countries were doing provides necessary context.
Great post, by the way.
Sometimes (Bf.110), you largely ignore the customer spec, come up with something the customer (RLM) decides they have to have. And they rewrite the specification around what you're selling.Generally, you don't "pay attention" to customers specs. You meet them or you don't and, if you don't, you generally don't sell the airplane. Sometimes not even if you DO meets specs and are the best-performing entrant.
R-1820 1000HP Dry weight: 1,184 lb (537 kg) 29LAnd there is no 1,200hp engine waiting anyways: Hercules is too heavy; Taurus was having troublesome development path and Perseus wasn't developed that far (the post war 1/2 Centaurus not withstanding)
And there is no 1,200hp engine waiting anyways: Hercules is too heavy; Taurus was having troublesome development path and Perseus wasn't developed that far (the post war 1/2 Centaurus not withstanding)
The Wiki numbers are bogus.R-1820 1000HP Dry weight: 1,184 lb (537 kg) 29L
R-1830 1200HP Dry weight: 1,250 lb (570 kg) 29L
Perseus 900HP Dry weight: 1,025 lb (465 kg) 25L
Taurus 1050HP Dry weight: 1,301 lb (590 kg) 25L
The two speed Pegasus is the best bet for improved Skua.
Assuming you could have pried Pegasus engines out of the hands of Bomber Command in 1939-40-41, Primary engine for Wellingtons and Hampdens.
An up-motored Skua would have been close enough to a Fulmar in performance, would attain motor commonality with the Martlet, and would of released Fairey to other manufacturing tasks (Seafires, etc).
Actually, I would put the lack of Skua development down to the the fact the Air Ministry's penchant for issuing specifications instead trusting manufacturers to develop & improve their existing designs.
So I disagree about the motor situation. An up-motored Skua would have been close enough to a Fulmar in performance, would attain motor commonality with the Martlet, and would of released Fairey to other manufacturing tasks (Seafires, etc).
If you want a better dive bomber, (bigger bomb/more range) off the small British flight decks then using a Pegasus will give you a useful improvement.
The "dual" use excuse seems a bit lame,
The Skua may have been beyond redemption for other reasons, flying characteristics?
Or, like in the case of the Swordfish, you build as a private venture and then try to sell it.Sometimes (Bf.110), you largely ignore the customer spec, come up with something the customer (RLM) decides they have to have. And they rewrite the specification around what you're selling.
FAA might have taken 25 mph better top speed for a more aerodynamic windscreen.
Post-war Buccaneer aside, did Blackburn ever make a competitive aircraft? They must have had some friends in government procurement.Nice idea, but Blackburn wanted to remain in the game,
D H Clarke author of "What Were They Like to Fly" flew a large number of different aircraft. I have a number of his articles in RAF Flying Review from the late 50's early 60's. He thought the Blackburn Shark was a better aircraft than the Swordfish. He did hate the Botha. He actually tried to use a Botha to drop a mine off the coast of France which was not a good idea. He flew a Roc in air-to-air combat with a Heinkel He 59 which ended in a draw.Post-war Buccaneer aside, did Blackburn ever make a competitive aircraft? They must have had some friends in government procurement.
Just look at this POS for example, the ridiculously named Blackburn Blackburn.
View attachment 671066
I do think the Skua had potential. The Taranto Raid would have done nicely with a squadron of Skuas dropping incendiary bombs, for example. And two or three squadrons at Ceylon could have wrecked havoc on Nagumo's force in April 1941 - of course benefiting by Nagumo's lack of CAP, preparedness and situational awareness. Imagine, swapping out the Bristol Blenheims that approached undetected from 11,000 feet from which level they dropped their bombs and missed, with Skuas diving from 11,000 feet onto Nagumo's decks.He listed the Skua as one of his six favorite aircraft to fly.
And that is part of the problem with Skua in real life.I do think the Skua had potential. The Taranto Raid would have done nicely with a squadron of Skuas dropping incendiary bombs, for example. And two or three squadrons at Ceylon could have wrecked havoc on Nagumo's force in April 1941 - of course benefiting by Nagumo's lack of CAP or situational awareness.