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Challenge is that we're picking the winners in hindsight.I was what if the RLM hadn't approved so many designs ? My dream plan for the German air force would have had 4 fighters those being the HE 112 BF 109 FW 190 and ME 262 2 bombers JU87 and JU88 and 2 transports those being the JU 52 and FW 200 condor . No BF 110 No HE 162 No ME 163 no henikel or dornier bombers and none of the aircraft designed by Blohm Voss either . If the war started going better I might would approve the AR 234 blitz bomber but I'd have to see what shape we were in by then i figure stearming the number of models you use would make it easier to make higher numbers of aircraft
The 112 262 and FW 200 still need to be made to have a chance and the FW 190Challenge is that we're picking the winners in hindsight.
With hindsight we can propose that Germany focus only on what gives them the best shot of defeating Russia before the end of 1942. That means just produce tons of Bf 109s, Ju 87s, Ju 88s and Ju 52s. While we're at it, stop the Panzer III earlier and produce as many Panzer IVs, 4x4 Blitz trucks/tankers and halftracks (transport, artillery tractors and infantry carriers) as possible. Skip the Fw 190, Panzer V and VI, Me 262, etc..... To have any chance of victory in Russia, Germany needs mass production and excellent logistical support, including fuel and spares for their aircraft, tanks, etc. And skip the battleships.
Back burner everything else, since if Germany is still fighting in 1943, she's toast no matter what wunder aircraft and super tanks they have.
What 112?
HE 112 could accepted and mass procured to make up for the loss of the 110 . The condor could be used as a martime patrol aircraft thanks to its big size meaning lots of fuel and weapons .What 112?
View attachment 676524
Jumo 210 engine, only went over 300mph when going downhill.
Largest users were Japan (trainers) and Rumania.
17-19 went to Spain before 1939.
The Fw 200 was not a good tactical transport and it was not a good bomber.
It was a very good record setting plane but it wasn't strong enough to stand up to hard usage and it broke a lot.
I don't think Germany had a shortage of aircraft until the war was already lost, but a shortage of fuel.The main issue early on, was manufacturing.
No, by the time the Me 262 is ready you'll be facing thousand bomber raids, and the war is lost.The 112 262 and FW 200 still need to be made to have a chance and the FW 190
The He112B was a solid performer.What 112?
View attachment 676524
Jumo 210 engine, only went over 300mph when going downhill.
Largest users were Japan (trainers) and Rumania.
17-19 went to Spain before 1939.
We also run into the "Skip the Battleships argument". Which if we follow it up, would allow the British to cancel one or more the KGV class. Build more escorts to fight the U-boats with, and/or build hundreds more tanks of their own, knock the Italians out of the war in 1940/41 and so on.
Don't look at the Bismarck and Tirpitz on a sports "score board". Look at what it cost the British (and Americans) to provide escorts to Convoys, mount air raids/special operations and otherwise counter the threat. every time an old R class sailed the Atlantic or a KGV sailed ton a Murmansk run in was thousands of tons of fuel oil, and there wee lots of runs with zero contact.
Don't you suppose that 12,000 Bf109s would have been handy in 1939-1940 when they did have fuel?
Buliding all 4 means more fighters in the air which means they could defens from the USAAF and RAF raidsI don't think Germany had a shortage of aircraft until the war was already lost, but a shortage of fuel.
No, by the time the Me 262 is ready you'll be facing thousand bomber raids, and the war is lost.
Once Russia is defeated, then sure, switch over to the new stuff, but anything that distracts from the immediate defeat of Russia by end of 1942 needs to be backburnered.
Once the 8th AF is bombing Germany the war is lost. All Germany can do then is delay the inevitable. The only option for Germany is to win in Russia before end of 1942. Most will argue this is highly unlikely regardless, but focused production resulting in larger quantities of fewer aircraft may help.Buliding all 4 means more fighters in the air which means they could defens from the USAAF and RAF raids
Buliding all 4 means more fighters in the air which means they could defens from the USAAF and RAF raids
Once the 8th AF is bombing Germany the war is lost. All Germany can do then is delay the inevitable. The only option for Germany is to win in Russia before end of 1942. Most will argue this is highly unlikely regardless, but focused production resulting in larger quantities of fewer aircraft may help.
And you might ask why make 4 different fighters ? Because if u cancdl the BF 110 you will need the extra fighter (the HE 112) to make up for lack of 110s or at least thats how i envison it .Again, back to the Luftwaffe's production numbers.
Had the German leadership put the nation on a wartime footing before or at the start of the war, then there would have been larger force for the Allies to contend with.
I mentioned earlier that in 1939, Germany only produced 449 Bf109s - and that is unacceptable. They had been planning on war since the early 30's and the manufacturing should have ramped up in anticipation.
It was mentioned that *if* Germany had produced 12,000 fighters in 1939, where would the pilots come from? Again, planning ahead would have resolved that issue.
As it stands, in 1939, the Luftwaffe had a headcount of 400,000.
By 1941, their personnel had grown to 1.7 million - so within two years, the Luftwaffe grew exponentially.
This should have been done prior to hostilities.
How do you stop the russians you ask ? The same way we stopped the germans round the clock bombing . And since the germans could base their fighters in the former chezchsolvika the range issue wouldnt be an issue .Once the 8th AF is bombing Germany the war is lost. All Germany can do then is delay the inevitable. The only option for Germany is to win in Russia before end of 1942. Most will argue this is highly unlikely regardless, but focused production resulting in larger quantities of fewer aircraft may help.
Well, keep in mind that the "heavy fighter" concept was popular in the late 30's with all the leading nations around the globe.And you might ask why make 4 different fighters ? Because if u cancdl the BF 110 you will need the extra fighter (the HE 112) to make up for lack of 110s or at least thats how i envison it .