Glider
Captain
The idea that the Fulmar could have been effective in any shape or form in the BOB I find difficult to understand. It was barely faster than the Blenheim and while in theory I can see the case for picking off the stragglers or damaged aircraft there are some problems:-
a) It wasn't fast enough to catch the stragglers. Max speed approx. 270 mph. He111 approx. 270mph, Ju88 315mph, Do17 255mph (I give you that one).
b) What are the German fighters doing while you wait for the Stragglers and damaged aircraft?
c) The Hurricane was heavily outclassed by the Me109 we all accept that, but the Fulmar was worse than the Hurricane by some margin, speed acceleration, agility, climb you name it. The losses would have been huge
d) Its poor climb would have made it very difficult to intercept the bombers in the first place.
The only area where I can see the Fulmar of being of assistance in defending the North of England against attacks from Norway. It would be fast enough to catch an incoming bomber at cruising speed. There are no 109's to worry about and the Fulmars good range and ammunition supply would have been of considerable assistance
a) It wasn't fast enough to catch the stragglers. Max speed approx. 270 mph. He111 approx. 270mph, Ju88 315mph, Do17 255mph (I give you that one).
b) What are the German fighters doing while you wait for the Stragglers and damaged aircraft?
c) The Hurricane was heavily outclassed by the Me109 we all accept that, but the Fulmar was worse than the Hurricane by some margin, speed acceleration, agility, climb you name it. The losses would have been huge
d) Its poor climb would have made it very difficult to intercept the bombers in the first place.
The only area where I can see the Fulmar of being of assistance in defending the North of England against attacks from Norway. It would be fast enough to catch an incoming bomber at cruising speed. There are no 109's to worry about and the Fulmars good range and ammunition supply would have been of considerable assistance