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If a squadron only had 12 pilots and 12 serviceable planes in the morning, by the time it had been scrambled 3 times what would be left for a fourth call?
That was what I was alluding to. A group of 7 or smaller is vulnerable to being completely wiped out.Not much. By late August there were many occasions on which under strength squadrons were dispatched to patrol or to intercept the second or third raids of the day.
Aircraft were rarely an issue, the issue was maintaining sufficient operational pilots. Park wanted at least 21 per squadron in 11 Group, but on 7 September had to settle for 16. Before the war this number was 26.
For example, yesterday, 80 years ago, at 17.30 five raids totalling 100+ were plotted moving across the Channel. Five squadrons were scrambled, Nos. 79 (which could only field 7 Hurricanes), 54 (9 Spitfires), 85 (10 Hurricanes), 222 (10 Spitfires) and 603. Only No 603 could manage a full 12 aircraft (in fact 13 took off).
Might not be overkill if those ME-262's have license built J-79 engines.Depends they have to be able to operate off the standard grass runways and be able to climb fast. I think either AV8Bs or F35s as long as they have cannon as an ASRAAM missile would be a bit overkill.
If not the Wildcat, what US aircraft would Britain welcome in the BoB? Curtiss P-40?
Going back to the original question of the post, Wildcats in the BoB, I am of the opinion that Martlets are too slow on the level and the climb to replace Hurricanes in the BoB. When it comes to Wildcats with the two stage , two speed P&W Twin Wasp, The F4F-4 , burdened by folding wings and the 6x.50s is too slow on the climb. However the earlier F4F-3 has almost the exact same performance as a rotol equipped Hurricane Mk 1 and provided that the four wing mouinted .50s work well, would be an adequate replacement for the Hurricane. There could be other problems like operating on grass airfields, ease of repair ect, and the F4F-3, could be lacking in armor and self sealing tanks.( not sure on when this was introduced on the F4F-3), but overall it should do the job.
The Wildcat had a fairly robust maingear, so a grass field shouldn't be an issue.
No more than the Spitfire and Bf109 were on grass fields.I suspect the narrow track of the undercarriage would the key issue.
No more than the Spitfire and Bf109 were on grass fields.
The F4F-3 operated well enough from rough fields in the PTO (like Guadalcanal during the Cactus Airforce days) as did the F2A, which had a similar tailwheel.Might need a new tail wheel, iirc it was a small solid rubber wheel. Probably not brilliant on grass.
No more than the Spitfire and Bf109 were on grass fields.
The F4F-3 operated well enough from rough fields in the PTO (like Guadalcanal during the Cactus Airforce days) as did the F2A, which had a similar tailwheel.
The Finns operated the B-239 (F2A-1) from some fairly primitive airfields, too.
The F4F-3 with the 2 stage P&W was faster over the entire altitude range and climbed better than the BoB Hurricane with a constant speed prop according to tests. US Navy pilots at Coral Sea thought they gave up nothing in speed and climb to a Zero but were far less maneuverable. The F4F-4 was an overweight pig and the Martlet with a single stage engine would run out of breath at higher altitudes but the early F4F-3 performed well, Eric Brown called its initial climb rate of 3,300 fpm "sensational".
Unfortunately F4F dates are rather confusing. Like 1st production F4F-3 example #1844 making it's first flight in Feb 1940, But the USN ordered the 3rd and 4th production aircraft to equipped with Wright R-1820 engines in April and they don't fly until June of 1940. Some how (?????) the 2nd production plane #1845 first flies in July of 1940 (problems with engine delivery?) By Dec of 1940 the USN has accepted 22 F4F-3s and the first plane/s go to VF-41 in Norfolk VA. depending on source 103-106 F4F/Martlets are completed by Dec 31st 1940.When did the F4F-3 enter service?
AS of Oct 31st 1940 81 Martlets had been "delivered" to the Fleet Air Arm but I have no idea if that is in England or at the Grumman factory.