Its 1941 - You Need a New Plane and You need it Quick - Who You Gonna Call?

[NevadaK]

The motivation for this what if comes from a thread over in the Aviation Forum about differences/trends by individual designers and firms.

Here's the challenge (inspired by the procurement history of the P-51)

It's 1941 and you realize you need a new fighter and you need it quick. You can approach any firm/designer (other than NAA for this challenge) that is active at that time, regardless of country. Assume that the designer will have minimal government design bureau interference. Time to production should be less than 12 months.

 

[glennasher]

I'd probably go to Grumman. They did the F-6F pretty fast, and they were known for good solid designs.

 

[swampyankee]

I'd second Grumman, but I'd also suggest Martin and Douglas. True, neither had recent fighter experience, but both had competent design staffs. I'd also consider Bellanca: Giuseppe Bellanca was brilliant, and produced some very efficient, robust aircraft, and Northrop, although his one design to see production during WW2 was hardly amazing. Just don't let him build a flying wing.

There were a lot of large aircraft manufacturers, but quite a few of them had no recent fighter design experience (of course, neither did North American!). I'd stay as far away from Hughes as possible; Howard would rhymes-with-muck up anything due to his ego and other personality flaws.

 

[Admiral Beez]

In 1941 the French designers and manufacturers likely have the time to help. Marcel Bloch might be the man.

 

[swampyankee]

In 1941 the French designers and manufacturers likely have the time to help. Marcel Bloch might be the man.

Would this be before or after the Vichy government imprisoned him for not being cooperative enough? Of course, he was later sent to a German death camp.

 

[Admiral Beez]

Would this be before or after the Vichy government imprisoned him for not being cooperative enough? Of course, he was later sent to a German death camp.

I'm tempted to spirit him and his family away to set up shop elsewhere.

 

[jetcal1]

Let's see, in no particular order? (Assuming Grumman, Douglas, and Martin are too busy.)
Is the designer of the Commonwealth CA-15 available?
Messers Martin and Baker
The lady engineer from Canadian Car and Foundry (And her plant manager!)
How busy is the Naval Aircraft Factory at NAS Philadelphia? (I need a trained workforce to build, right?)
And, I'd scout Brewster for additional engineering talent to produce drawings while leaving the dregs behind.
I now have a core of good engineers, a drawing/drafting office and a place to build.