syscom3
Pacific Historian
They were B50's and were mainly for target practice. They sure werent front line aircraft as even the B47 was far superior.
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syscom3 said:They were B50's and were mainly for target practice. They sure werent front line aircraft as even the B47 was far superior.
I think syscom is correct in that the RAF was hard pressed after the war there is no doubt that the Lancaster was the better a/c but the UKs economy was in tatters after 6years of war they had large bills to pay off etc proof being in that rationing in the UK continued until 1954 the US was able to upgrade its fleet of a/c and the Brits used what was at hand they were forced to use fighters like the vampire and meteor after they were outdated and import F86s until the Hunter came online.syscom3 said:Im not contridicting myself at all. I correctly pointing out that the AAF had such a vast fleet of aircraft from which to use, plus unlimitless funds to develope new jet aircraft, that there was no need to use the B24. The Brits didnt have those options and were forced to use a great bomber from WW2 into various postwar rolls.
Japanese fighters were more effective than you give them credit for. As effective as the Luftwaffe? Nope. Capable of shooting down a B24 or Lanc? Yes.
The B24 had enough defensive firepower to make things tough for the Japanese, and on many occasions went on missions without escort. The Lancaster had weak defensive firepower, engines vulnerable to damage and a single pilot. All taken together, the Lanc could not have performed mssions in the PTO unless it was escorted. And that was a problem where missions were flown that were 1300-1600 miles from base.
plan_D said:You are stating the defensive armament of the Lancaster was weak by ETO standards. By PTO standards, it was more than enough. Japanese interceptors were weak and .303 would easily tear them to pieces.
DerAdlerIstGelandet said:plan_D said:You are stating the defensive armament of the Lancaster was weak by ETO standards. By PTO standards, it was more than enough. Japanese interceptors were weak and .303 would easily tear them to pieces.
Exactly!