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Nothing prevents Germany from arming Ju-87s with cannon from 1939 onward. They just need to build additional aircraft for that purpose. Ju-87B cannon version would be armed with a pair of 3cm Mk101 cannon. Ju-87D cannon version would be the historical Ju-87G conversion with 3.7cm cannon.
" The ineffectiveness of air attack against tanks should have caused no surprise because the weapons available to the fighter-bombers were not suitable for destroying them. Put simply, the heavy machine guns and 20 mm cannon were capable of hitting the tanks easily enough, but insufficiently powerful to damage them, except occasionally by chance. The RPs and bombs used were certainly capable of destroying the tanks but were too inaccurate to hit them, except occasionally by chance."
so how did they fare with the 40mm's?
I have read they were accurate and effective but that was pretty much all it said on the subject?
so how did they fare with the 40mm's?
I have read they were accurate and effective but that was pretty much all it said on the subject?
Okay how about this then: A two engine, two crew aircraft the size of a Mosquito or Beaufighter. High wing to maximize view to the ground. Second crew member behind the first with the main purpose of loading the long barreled 50mm gun that sits between him and the pilot. the barrel either passing underneath the pilot or by his side. Compartment should be able to withstand rifle calibres and maybe the occasional heavy machinegun bullet. Wing area should be large to maximize low speed handling. Engines would be two Jumo 210s or similar class. No additional armament except maybe two light machineguns. Aircraft needs air-superiority in case it gets caught its only chance is low speed maneuvering until help arrives.
I,d go for the de havilland mossie with a modified armoured glass nose for the pilot to allow good forward and below visability (similar to the He111) the aircraft already had good resistance to battle damage,a pair of under body 50mm cannons plus two 4 rocket under wing racks.Engines would be two uprated fuel injected supercharged merlins.
And call it Beaufighter, perhaps.; how about Mossie with Hercules?
"... IMHO a slightly bigger version of Hs 129 with better radials armed with Mk 103 or BK 37 or if allied side 40mm S-gun, adequate against all but Tigers and capable to carry 57mm Molins if needed".
Was the Hs 129 that great a platform ... french engines or otherwise....? The canon-Stuka I totally get. The Sturmovik, I get. But the Henschel ... looks great .. but was very claustrophobic to fly and not great visibility. At least in the Sturmovik someone has my six.
MM
IIRC Germans thought that Bf 110 was too big to be a good weapon carrier to MK 101 and RAF tought that Mossie was too big, so IMHO a slightly bigger version of Hs 129 with better radials armed with Mk 103 or BK 37 or if allied side 40mm S-gun, adequate against all but Tigers and capable to carry 57mm Molins if needed, ie against Tigers. On the other hand RAF thought that Hurri IID was too specialised a/c, good only against AFVs, so plane had to be able to carry also bombs and rockets.
Juha
And call it Beaufighter, perhaps.