Airborne2001
Airman
- 88
- Jun 17, 2024
I thought it would be interesting to discuss the what-if of the Spanish Air Force in a WWII where Spain joins the axis. Mainly I want to discuss types of aircraft that could be used, but I am also open to the discussion of how the Spanish air units would perform. Personally, I think Spain would stay in the war (1940 entry) until 1943 given what happened in Our Timeline (OTL) with the Blue Division being recalled when European Axis war fortunes changed. I will go until 1943 with types, but a lot of this is variable based on if Germany causes a "split" akin to North and Southern Italy 1943-1945.
Some (mostly) Obvious Ones from the Spanish Civil War to Start:
Bf-109 - Pretty obvious here. The Spanish liked the fighter a lot during the Spanish Civil War, and they will definitely still like it in WWII; in OTL the bought some despite being neutral. They already got the first of the more "modern" types at the very end of the war with the E-1, so they know what they are in for. Given the possible 1943 end date, the last variant used by Spain would likely be the G-6, though later models could see usage if Spain is split akin to Italy OTL.
He-111 - Another pretty obvious one. The He-111 had strong success during the Spanish Civil War, and Spain OTL bought quite a few of them during WWII. This would provide Spain with a standard medium bomber for general tactical purposes. The last variant would probably be the H-16, though if Spain gets split it could have a surplus from Germany and get types like the H-20. I don't think any of the rare Jumo 213 powered types would be available due to the need for that engine in Germany.
SM.79 (SM.84?) - A pretty clear entry, this time from Italy. Like the He-111 it was used with success during the civil war, so it would be a go-to for the Spanish Air Force. This could be a "complement" of sorts to the He-111, as one type would be a standard medium bomber and the other would be a lighter fast-bomber (This in the Battle of Britain/The Blitz if Spain participates would be interesting IMO.) In particular though is me looking at the naval capability of this aircraft. One of the biggest concerns of Franco was his inability to fight the Royal Navy, especially in the case of keeping the Canary Islands. Anything could help, and the SM.79 (and the He-111) could fill this need. Now, the SM.79 does bring in the question of the SM.84, but the latter was not well-perceived in Italian service due to a number of flaws and its deviation from "light and fast" to "armored and heavy". I can't see Spain not at least trying it, but I can't see them fully using it either.
Ju-87 - A standard fighter-bomber aircraft to have. The Ju-87 was used in the Spanish Civil War and was successful, albeit not tested against larger fighter opposition. Nevertheless, Spain would probably use it to have an intermediate type. Plus, a good dive bomber for strikes on Gibraltar, ships, and some other Meditteranean targets would have good use for Spain. At most I could see the Ju-87D-3 being the last variant, unless Spain wants a better shot at ground attack with the D-5 or G models.
G.50 - I mean, it didn't see as much as other types BUT I think with its early reputation and Spains need for types this could be a good (if brief) companion to the Bf.109. Keep in mind that Mussolini would want to have his own grip on Spain, so even if inferior to the Bf-109 this type would likely get into Spanish service. Unless Spain could perhaps convince the Italians to turn one of the more powerful prototypes with stronger engines to be an export model, I can't see this lasting much longer than 1941. Maybe one of the stronger radial engine types could work, though the best would be the G.50V/G.51 with the DB.601. The problem is Spain getting any of them. Most Italian licensed DB 601s went to the C.202, and then the next contender was the Re.2001, and the "crumbs" went to some other designs/projects. Spain also likely can't produce many of these engines, though they would likely try.
Again, these are just Spanish Civil War types to start the conversation; feel free to suggest more!
Of course, suggest performance of the Spanish Air Force against the Allied powers too.
Some (mostly) Obvious Ones from the Spanish Civil War to Start:
Bf-109 - Pretty obvious here. The Spanish liked the fighter a lot during the Spanish Civil War, and they will definitely still like it in WWII; in OTL the bought some despite being neutral. They already got the first of the more "modern" types at the very end of the war with the E-1, so they know what they are in for. Given the possible 1943 end date, the last variant used by Spain would likely be the G-6, though later models could see usage if Spain is split akin to Italy OTL.
He-111 - Another pretty obvious one. The He-111 had strong success during the Spanish Civil War, and Spain OTL bought quite a few of them during WWII. This would provide Spain with a standard medium bomber for general tactical purposes. The last variant would probably be the H-16, though if Spain gets split it could have a surplus from Germany and get types like the H-20. I don't think any of the rare Jumo 213 powered types would be available due to the need for that engine in Germany.
SM.79 (SM.84?) - A pretty clear entry, this time from Italy. Like the He-111 it was used with success during the civil war, so it would be a go-to for the Spanish Air Force. This could be a "complement" of sorts to the He-111, as one type would be a standard medium bomber and the other would be a lighter fast-bomber (This in the Battle of Britain/The Blitz if Spain participates would be interesting IMO.) In particular though is me looking at the naval capability of this aircraft. One of the biggest concerns of Franco was his inability to fight the Royal Navy, especially in the case of keeping the Canary Islands. Anything could help, and the SM.79 (and the He-111) could fill this need. Now, the SM.79 does bring in the question of the SM.84, but the latter was not well-perceived in Italian service due to a number of flaws and its deviation from "light and fast" to "armored and heavy". I can't see Spain not at least trying it, but I can't see them fully using it either.
Ju-87 - A standard fighter-bomber aircraft to have. The Ju-87 was used in the Spanish Civil War and was successful, albeit not tested against larger fighter opposition. Nevertheless, Spain would probably use it to have an intermediate type. Plus, a good dive bomber for strikes on Gibraltar, ships, and some other Meditteranean targets would have good use for Spain. At most I could see the Ju-87D-3 being the last variant, unless Spain wants a better shot at ground attack with the D-5 or G models.
G.50 - I mean, it didn't see as much as other types BUT I think with its early reputation and Spains need for types this could be a good (if brief) companion to the Bf.109. Keep in mind that Mussolini would want to have his own grip on Spain, so even if inferior to the Bf-109 this type would likely get into Spanish service. Unless Spain could perhaps convince the Italians to turn one of the more powerful prototypes with stronger engines to be an export model, I can't see this lasting much longer than 1941. Maybe one of the stronger radial engine types could work, though the best would be the G.50V/G.51 with the DB.601. The problem is Spain getting any of them. Most Italian licensed DB 601s went to the C.202, and then the next contender was the Re.2001, and the "crumbs" went to some other designs/projects. Spain also likely can't produce many of these engines, though they would likely try.
Again, these are just Spanish Civil War types to start the conversation; feel free to suggest more!
Of course, suggest performance of the Spanish Air Force against the Allied powers too.
