Was a four engine torpedo bomber ever considered? (2 Viewers)

[Airborne2001]

.,,but never did so in combat sorties. As well as all the other prototypes above, though.

Interesting. Knowing the Italians I would have expected it to happen. Did the H8K ever use torpedoes operationally?

The torpedo dropping requirement in Spec P.13/36 that led to the Manchester was dropped on 26 Aug 1937, long before it ever flew or the Lancaster was conceived. Other elements dropped before the Lancaster was conceived were:-

The catapult launch requirement was dropped on 4 July 1938. However it seems that the weight saving this should have generated could not be taken advantage of in the first 20 Avro Manchester airframes as they were already on the production lines, and it is not clear if it was ever designed out, according to Robert Kirby's "The Avro Manchester". Why the weight saving from this and not the dive bombing requirement is specifically noted in more than one book I know not. It is also odd that the first production Manchesters did not come off the production line until July 1939, if 20 were already on it in July 1938.

The dive bombing requirement was dropped on 11 Aug 1938 as the 60 degree angle required was considered unobtainable.

The troop carrying requirement also in the original specification was not dropped until 30 January 1940.

Interesting to see that Avro almost went down the He-177 path; it's good for them that they didn't knowing what we know now lol.

 

[GrauGeist]

The P.108B was used operationally as a bomber.
The torpedo option was never used and the cannon armed P.108A didn't go beyond testing.

 

[Airborne2001]

The P.108B was used operationally as a bomber.
The torpedo option was never used and the cannon armed P.108A didn't go beyond testing.

I know this. I meant that I was surprised in that it was not used operationally as a torpedo bomber.

 

[bf109xxl]

Did the H8K ever use torpedoes operationally?

There is a photo of an H6K with torpedoes suspended. I doubt that the HK8 was used as a torpedo bomber, but you would better ask someone who has a deeper knowledge of the subject.

 

[Admiral Beez]

.,,but never did so in combat sorties. As well as all the other prototypes above, though.

Sure, but it appears to be our best contender.

 

[GrauGeist]

The Lanc dropping torpedoes would have been a badass sight to behold.

Well, maybe not for the intended victims, though...