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Or Dewoitine D520 or Morane MS406. Martlets served in the invasion of Madagascar too.They never seem to mention Italian aircraft in these comparisons… a just as likely opponent in the MTO.
Sea Hurricane or Martlet vs. Re.2001 or earlier fighters like the Macchi C.200?
Isn't the Hurricane's radiator belly mounted? Which aircraft has a nose mounted rad? P-40?
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Squadrons on leave, including those that had been given leave after taking part in 'Pedestal', were recalled early in September. This hit morale somewhat for units that had just been through the hardest-fought operation of the FAA's war so far, but given the short time available to work up it was inevitable. Nevertheless, while considerable problems were experienced with Martlets and Seafires in training, the Sea Hurricane II — despite being new to the Navy — presented no problems. Five squadrons were re-equipped with the newer type: 800, 802, 883, 804 and 891, all of which would be operating from modified escort carriers.
That is rather dependent on the engine. P W R-2800s seemed to do pretty well, although we only hear about the ones that got back so we don't know what the percentage was.You can shoot a radial engine full of holes and they will often still work
You only see photos of the ones that made it back, the highest scoring ace in the Pacific, Neel Kearby was killed after being downed by a Ki 43 which had a couple of .303's or a combination of .303's and either one or two Breda .5's, a very weak armament against such a tough airplane.You can shoot a radial engine full of holes and they will often still work
I suspect a folding wing Spitfire would present problematic structural issues in view of the thinness of the wing.For the British it would be deciding between a folding wing Hurricane and a folding wing Spitfire. And please, please keep in mind that either one was just a temporary solution until the Firefly and Firebrand sprang forth in all their glory humbling all other carrier fighters world wide.
Yes we know how that worked out but that what was going in at least a few minds at the time.
Prototype Firefly flew Dec 22, 1941, 2 Weeks after Pearl Harbor and 12 days after the PoW and Repulse went down.
Prototype Firebrand first flew on Feb 27th 1942. 3 months before Midway.
perhaps but they did solve them. It just may have taken more work than folding Hurricane, but then the rewards were better.I suspect a folding wing Spitfire would present problematic structural issues in view of the thinness of the wing.
If money is the driving factor, our Accountant will ask for Hurricanes. The first Sea Hurricanes, those used on CAM ships were second hand RAF birds, surplus from the Battle of Britain and likely free of charge to the RN. And the Sea Hurricane is available earlier than the F4F. Unless the F4F is provided at no charge under lend lease, the Grumman fighter costs US $30,000 in 1940, while a Hawker Hurricane cost £4,000 (US $10,000), with the Sea Hurricane variant presumably a little more, but still half the price of the F4F. By 1941 when the F4F is becoming available, Hurricanes will be cheap as chips and just as plentiful for conversion. I have to think that the Sea Hurricane is probably one of the cheapest monoplane fighters ever to operate from a carrier, save perhaps for the Dewoitine D.373, Mitsubishi A5M and Brewster F2A. For your money you'll find no cheaper way to put heavily armed, 330 mph fighters on your flattops.For my money...
If money is the driving factor, our Accountant will ask for Hurricanes. The first Sea Hurricanes, those used on CAM ships were second hand RAF birds, surplus from the Battle of Britain and likely free of charge to the RN. And the Sea Hurricane is available earlier than the F4F. Unless the F4F is provided at no charge under lend lease, the Grumman fighter costs US $30,000 in 1940, while a Hawker Hurricane cost £4,000 (US $10,000), with the Sea Hurricane variant presumably a little more, but still half the price of the F4F. By 1941 when the F4F is becoming available, Hurricanes will be cheap as chips and just as plentiful for conversion. I have to think that the Sea Hurricane is probably one of the cheapest monoplane fighters ever to operate from a carrier, save perhaps for the Dewoitine D.373, Mitsubishi A5M and Brewster F2A.
Good points. Had the fast T-lift carriers HMS Courageous and Glorious been available into 1941 the RN would have had two ships ideally made for a sizeable force of Sea Hurricanes. Granted, unfolded Hurricanes take up a lot of space. Here's HMS Argus below - her hangar was 48–68 feet (14.6–20.7 m) wide.But the Sea Hurricane was good enough to save several convoys, including I would say, Pedestal.
C&G class carrier hangars were 50ft wide according to Hobbs.Good points. Had the fast T-lift carriers HMS Courageous and Glorious been available into 1941 the RN would have had two ships ideally made for a sizeable force of Sea Hurricanes. Granted, unfolded Hurricanes take up a lot of space. Here's HMS Argus below - her hangar was 48–68 feet (14.6–20.7 m) wide.
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Maybe the Courageous class layout makes staggered stowage easier? Here's HMS Indomitable's 62 ft wide hangar with non-folding Seafires. I can't find any info online for the width of the hangar of the Courageous class.
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Hurricane wings are readily removable.One in the back seems to either have folded wings or the wings are off