Thumpalumpacus
Captain
I'm not sure they'd be able to do much against the Japanese in those jungles given the limited training time over the terrain they're fighting over, either. CAS wasn't so highly developed at that stage, I think.
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Anyway, getting back to the point of the thread. I dunno what, if anything the Chesapeake is going to do other than provide the British with yet more aeroplanes they will lose on Japan's successful campaign in the region, that is, if they are not destroyed on the ground in raids against the airfields in advance of the invasion. Nevertheless, more airframes probably couldn't do the Allies any harm, but it does depend entirely on how effectively they are used once they get there.
You say that, Mark, then you post a picture demonstrating exactly my point... sheesh...
I think from the right angle the Skua can look okay.Dunno if the Skua is better looking than the Stuka; apart from an exaggerated rudder the latter looks purposeful, but the Skua looks misshapen and awkward, with its rearward swept undercarriage, upturned wingtips, elongated nose and near vertical windscreen, and a tail that looks as if its set too far forward. It's a bit upsetting to the eye.
You're saying mean things about the Skua. I'm not sure we can be friends any more.
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And dive bombers would have greater accuracy than even low-level bombing.
This is true of course, but would it be enough to change the inevitable? Under very different circumstances the situation in Singapore might have had a different outcome, but I doubt two squadrons of Chesapeakes is going to do much more, as we know. Nevertheless, put them to use, can't do worse.
I'm not sure they'd be able to do much against the Japanese in those jungles given the limited training time over the terrain they're fighting over, either. CAS wasn't so highly developed at that stage, I think.
I think from the right angle the Skua can look okay.
Forgive what might be an ignorant question, but was there a reason the design included such an unaerodynamic windscreen?
Me too. Would you transfer them to the RAF for CAS or stay with FAA for maritime strike? As it was, IIRC from Bloody Shambles the FAA in Malaya was a total of one Swordfish and some Shagbats.To be honest, I don't know why the RN didn't throw a couple of Skua squadrons towards Singapore.
To be honest, I don't know why the RN didn't throw a couple of Skua squadrons towards Singapore.
True, against shipping it might have some success, but of course the limiting factor the Allies had was their warning time of impending action.
Better visibility in level flight and a better aiming point in the dive. Kind'a spoils its looks IMO, and that long snout. The Skua was a big beastie and the pilot is sat real high above the carrier deck.
I'm not sure they'd be able to do much against the Japanese in those jungles given the limited training time over the terrain they're fighting over, either. CAS wasn't so highly developed at that stage, I think.
Actually, the Japanese weren't advancing through the jungle. They were charging down the west coast road and only dispersing to the jungle on either side once they encountered resistance. The much-derided Buffalo established a pretty solid reputation as a strafer, despite only conducting that mission on a few occasions (and, even than, Tsuji mis-identified them as Hurricanes (Hurricane envy perhaps?) which they can't have been because the Hurricane was never used in the strafing role in Malaya...but I digress...again!).
I think a squadron or two of dive bombers would have been rather useful at cutting Japanese resupply and taking out bridges to slow down the advance.
I'm thinking more about drag than looks. I can see your point about aiming, perhaps, but that long nose still means a steep dive and less time for target-acquisition, no?
What chance does the Skua have against the Nate and Oscar?
What chance does the Skua have against the Nate and Oscar?
Would or could they be called in before contact sent the IJA into the woodwork?
ETA: Dropping bridges could be useful, but could they actually do the job?