- Thread starter
- #41
BarnOwlLover
Staff Sergeant
To be fair, the USAAF seemed to be looking at countering the Luftwaffe's "Amerika Bomber" program, which it turns out not only happened as far as a serious threat, but was insanely problematic to begin with as far as Germany or Japan getting to work.
In the end, 4 20mm cannons, especially for a single seat, single engine fighter of the 1700+hp class. But it'd take until 1942 for that to happen with the "heavy" fighters of that class (Hawker Typhoon/Tempest or P-47 sized), and it wasn't worth it for say a P-51 or Spitfire sized or powered fighter until 67" Hg/18 lbs of supercharger boost was common place in late 1943 as far as the Merlin power units.
Earlier than that, I'd say that the max for a plane powered by a Merlin or Allison class engine was 2 HMGs and 2 20mm cannons, or 4 LMGs with 2 20mm cannons. Also depends on what you're trying to shoot down or other things you're wanting to do with the fighters.
In the end, 4 20mm cannons, especially for a single seat, single engine fighter of the 1700+hp class. But it'd take until 1942 for that to happen with the "heavy" fighters of that class (Hawker Typhoon/Tempest or P-47 sized), and it wasn't worth it for say a P-51 or Spitfire sized or powered fighter until 67" Hg/18 lbs of supercharger boost was common place in late 1943 as far as the Merlin power units.
Earlier than that, I'd say that the max for a plane powered by a Merlin or Allison class engine was 2 HMGs and 2 20mm cannons, or 4 LMGs with 2 20mm cannons. Also depends on what you're trying to shoot down or other things you're wanting to do with the fighters.