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It's too bad Britain couldn't follow Russia's example with Alaska and clear government dept by selling territory. Post-war Britain sells Burma to China or Newfoundland to the USA, for instance. Britain has no interest or ability to keep these places postwar anyway, so might as well leverage their remaining value.Britain was financially devastated by World War 2. The National Debt was about 250.% of GDP.
It's too bad Britain couldn't follow Russia's example with Alaska and clear government dept by selling territory. Post-war Britain sells Burma to China or Newfoundland to the USA, for instance. Britain has no interest or ability to keep these places postwar anyway, so might as well leverage their remaining value.
Fair enough. And I don't think a lack of cash made development of better aircraft impossible for Britain. Instead it was poor choices and design work failures that drive them to the back of the pack.Gents - let keep away from global politics and stay on subject. Thank you.
Somebody with some knowledge of British law would have to chime in, but I wouldn't be surprised if Newfoundland couldn't be sold as it wasn't owned by Britain. Could the US, operating in the way of a business selling poorly performing divisions sell Alabama? I think not.
"...Newfoundland joined Canada on March 31, 1949. Union with Canada has done little to reduce Newfoundlanders' self-image as a unique group. In 2003, 72% of residents responding identified first as Newfoundlanders, secondarily as Canadians..."
"...By then Junkers had developed the Jumo 004, which was tested at 2,200 pounds of thrust. Two 004s were installed on the third Me-262 prototype, and Wendel made a successful 20-minute flight on July 18, 1942. Even after plane and engine went into full production, however, the Jumo 004 would be an Achilles' heel for the Me-262. Germany lacked adequate supplies of chromium and nickel, essential for the production of steel alloys necessary to operate at a jet engine's high temperatures, and substitute metals, such as ordinary steel with a spray coating of aluminum, were prone to burning. At the end of the war the average Me-262 engine required an overhaul after 10 hours of use, and outright replacement after only 25 hours..."
Me-262: Harbinger of a New Era
In fact, Germany had committed large quantities of nickel to the Atlantic Wall as armour plate. Bad resource allocation...
After Normandy, the Allies just bypassed the other 99% of the Wall.
It's too bad the Hunter didn't make it to Korea, or any swept wing jet fighter for that matter. The Meteor is a generation behind. How would a Mk.2 Me 262 compare to the MiG-15?Meteor Versus MiG — Appraisal
"The MiG-15 used during the Korean War by the Communist forces was generally superior in performance to the Meteor Mk.8 which was operated by 77 Squadron. This was particularly so at high altitudes, the levels at which most of the combat took place. While a Meteor had to be 'nursed' at heights of 40,000 feet or so, the MiG seemed to thrive at even greater altitudes. Added to this was the height advantage which the MiGs enjoyed by climbing to 50,000 feet or more over neutral Manchuria prior to diving down to engage UN aircraft. Another great advantage which the MiG displayed was its spectacular rate of climb. In this important area the Russian aircraft significantly outperformed the Meteor at all altitudes by as much as 3,000 ft/minute, an enormous advantage. The MiG's speed was much greater than the Meteor by approximately 70 miles per hour. The MiG's 37 mm cannon was a slow-firing but powerful weapon. This was backed up by a pair of 23mm cannons. Nevertheless, the concentrated firepower of the Meteor's four 20 mm cannons gave the British aircraft some advantage under certain circumstances. While the 37mm weapon was most effective against a huge bomber, it was not so useful against a smaller and more nimble target."
"At altitudes of 20,000 feet and below the MiG lost some of its advantage. The Meteor could, at these levels give a good account of itself with regard to tight turning and diving. The MiG could encounter control difficulties in a high speed dive, a problem which did not afflict the Meteor. However, once again, if the MiG should climb the Meteor could not follow. Undoubtedly this British WWII jet fighter was outclassed in certain vital areas by the much more modern swept-wing designs such as the MiG-15 and the North American Sabre..."
https://www.raafansw.org.au/docPDF/77SQN_KOREA_1950-53_COL_KING.pdf
It's too bad the Hunter didn't make it to Korea, or any swept wing jet fighter for that matter. The Meteor is a generation behind. How would a Mk.2 Me 262 compare to the MiG-15?
A Mk 2 Me262 was the same generation as the Meteor. It would do no better than, say, the P-80.
Does a WW2-era Vampire or early postwar Attacker have a better chance with their inboard engine?Something both the Meteor and the Me 262 had to their detriment as dogfighters was having their engines outboard of the fuselage. Their roll rate was relatively slow, a big disadvantage compared to the Sabre or MiG.