Reluctant Poster
Tech Sergeant
- 1,672
- Dec 6, 2006
"Fighters Over the Fleet" by Norman Freidman is a must read to understand procurement strategies pre WWII. We should never forget that aircraft technology was in the midst of a major upheaval and that crystal ball reading is difficult at the best of times. According to Freidman:
"From a fighter point of view, the Skua was the victim of rapidly changing policy."
"The Skua had not yet flown, but production was urgent because the existing Nimrods and Ospreys would soon have to be retired:.... Limited Skua performance, including in a dive, was considered acceptable because by this time the dive-bomber fighter was considered no more than a stop gap until a more capable dive bomber reconnaissance (DBR) aircraft became available."
The surprising part is that the Roc was to be the replacement for the Skua in the fighter role (actually fighter -observation). It was crippled by the turret fighter concept but also by the requirement to be capable of being catapulted from battleships with floats attached.
We should always bear in mind that the Gun Club ruled in all navies at that time and aircraft carriers were definitely subordinate to the line of battle. Spotting fall of shot on the enemy battle line and shooting down enemy spotters was a prime function. Dive bombing aircraft carriers was important as it took enemy spotters out of service and allowed your spotters to perform unhindered.
"From a fighter point of view, the Skua was the victim of rapidly changing policy."
"The Skua had not yet flown, but production was urgent because the existing Nimrods and Ospreys would soon have to be retired:.... Limited Skua performance, including in a dive, was considered acceptable because by this time the dive-bomber fighter was considered no more than a stop gap until a more capable dive bomber reconnaissance (DBR) aircraft became available."
The surprising part is that the Roc was to be the replacement for the Skua in the fighter role (actually fighter -observation). It was crippled by the turret fighter concept but also by the requirement to be capable of being catapulted from battleships with floats attached.
We should always bear in mind that the Gun Club ruled in all navies at that time and aircraft carriers were definitely subordinate to the line of battle. Spotting fall of shot on the enemy battle line and shooting down enemy spotters was a prime function. Dive bombing aircraft carriers was important as it took enemy spotters out of service and allowed your spotters to perform unhindered.