wingedhussar
Recruit
- 1
- Feb 8, 2008
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1942 saw the deployment of shipboard air search radar and the adoption of British techniques which saw the use of an FDO (Fighter Direction Officer) to exercise direct control of fighter operations. (centralized control for the TF)
losses it was quickly realized that the best solution was more genuine fighter aircraft. The folding wing F4F-4 helped alot that area.
One reason there was a shortage of fighters was because the Brits were getting some. Another reason was that thanks to the Brit's stubborness about wanting six guns on the F4F4, which in my opinion was stupid, the armament installation had to be redesigned thus slowing down the assembly line.
The air groups on the US carriers typically comprised one VT, two VSB and one VF squadron early in the war. When they realised that they needed more VFs there was actually a shortage of combat ready Wildcats for a while as well as qualified pilots. That was one reason some SBD drivers converted over to Wildcats. One reason there was a shortage of fighters was because the Brits were getting some. Another reason was that thanks to the Brit's stubborness about wanting six guns on the F4F4, which in my opinion was stupid, the armament installation had to be redesigned thus slowing down the assembly line. Later the Navy went back to the four guns in the FM. The things we do for our allies!LOL
Be fair Renrich. There were a lot more changes in the Wildcat than just the 6 x HMG's. The RN did accept a delay in delivery but the main reason was to get the folding wings which is a change worth having. Even then the RN accepted the first of the Martlet II's with fixed wing to keep up deliveries.
The first folding wing Martlet IIs were delivered in August 1941, the other big changes were of course the extra guns but also armour and Self Sealing fuel tanks.
These were all needed to make the plane fully combat worthy.
Re the Sea Hurricane II I am not so sure about re dates.
1942 is the period I am referring to. I am not being truly critical of our Brit cousins but the switch to six guns did cause a delay in production while the redesign took place and I feel the change was not only unecessary and wrongheaded, but was a negative. My opinion but also many naval aviators including Thach(he said "if you can't hit with four you will miss with six"). In an AC like Wildcat four 50s with 400 rounds each has got to be prefarable to six 50s with 240 rounds each.
I don't know where the view that the redesign for the additional two guns was the only reason for the delay in production comes from. As mentioned in the earlier posting that particular version had a number of changes only one of which was the additional two guns.
I think its also worth remembering that Grumman had already designed the Wildcat to have six guns well before the RN became involved. The first nation to order the Wildcat were the French and they specified 6 x LMG, not 4 x HMG.
When the British took over the contract the British initiated the change on those aircraft to 4 x HMG. Clearly there is a big difference between 6 x LMG and 6 x HMG but the groundwork as to where to put the guns, had already been done.
Re wrongheaded its a debate, but its worth remembering that the P51 was upgunned from 4 to 6 HMGs and by European Standards, 4 x HMG was light for a fighter.
"Upon seeing the installation which Grumman cooked up for 6 guns, this Section as well as Armament has realised we made a mistake, but there again it is too late to tamper with production at this time." A little later they did decide to tamper with production. "Armament labored to redesign the F4F4s folding wings to accomodate four guns instead of six and with 430 rounds each instead of 240. The resulting AC , which included a few minor changes tipped the scales about 500 lbs lighter than a standard f4f4." The Bureau did not tamper with Grumman's production but shocked Eastern on 14 June, 1942 by issuing a change order directing that the eleventh production FM1 and those following had to feature a redesigned 4 gun battery. Therefore I cannot find an exact quote about the 6 gun wing demanded by the Brits causing a production delay but I will keep looking. The fact remains than in the summer of 1942 there was a shortage of Wildcats in the USN. Who would have thought it?