|
Re: Why the USAAF gave up on the A-36 in favour of the P-47.
Juha and Kutscha.
If BC/RAF had understood and appreciated the possibilities of dive-bombing accuracy, and the vulnerability of German electrical generation in 1938 to small tonnages accurately placed, then they could probably have had the A-36 operational before February 1942.
But they could certainly have had a DH98/Mosquito dive-bomber with internal bomb-load like the Vengeance, operational by end 1940.
Britain could therefore have knocked Germany out of the war before February 1942 and saved itself from the recurring consequences of Russia and the USA winning WW2.
De Havilland presented his proposal in September 1938 at the time of Munich, but the RAF rejected it in October 1938, and did not even order a prototype until March 1940. They then faffed about until the middle of 1941 before ordering mass production.
The RAF was not alone. Arnold and Quesada were shown the Mosquito in April 1941, but the USAAF did not order it, having their own prejudices and blindness.
Tony
|