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Originally Posted by tcolvin
Let me re-phrase that, and see if it meets your exacting definitions. 2TAF was based on 1TAF's organisation, methods and commanders (Mary Coningham and then Harry Broadhurst), but decided to replace the 40-mm Hurricane IID with the RP Typhoon 1B, and the Hurricane IIC with the Bombphoon and Spitfire.
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In December 1942 No. 6 Squadron was withdrawn from the front after losing 14 aircraft in about 300 sorties. They flew defensive patrols over Egypt until March 1943, when they were back in action with the latest Hurricane IID (uprated power and armor protection for the engine and radiator). These "enhancements" imposed a very unfortunate side effect: the aircraft was too heavy to begin with but now it was overweight towards the front, and this caused control problems in all flying maneuvers.
After 6 Squadron moved to Italy in 1944, the Hurricane pilots preferred to carry 3-inch rockets. The 40mm underwing guns were removed due to the considerable nose-down pitch when firing. Even with heavy cannons discarded, the nose armor moved the center of gravity very close to the forward limit.
Quote:
Originally Posted by tcolvin
The rational approach to the use of air power was that which was taught in the VVS and Luftwaffe. In those organisations it was part of all-arms. Russians and Germans were never tempted by the Trenchardist belief that air power could win wars on its own and uniquely did not need to engage with the enemy's main force.
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The decision to rid themselves of the 40mm S gun was requested by front-line RAF pilots, not old men back in England who were supposedly hidebound by the Trenchard doctrines.
Quote:
Originally Posted by tcolvin
Your point about the Il-2 is well taken and I thank you for that. Note the Il-2 did not rely on RPs to destroy tanks, but rather hollow-charge bomblets dropped from low-overflying aircraft that were armoured against infantry weapons. We agree about the British 40mm. The RAF knew about the gun's accuracy compared with RPs, so the decision to scrap it was final proof that effectiveness did not feature among 2TAF's success criteria.
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The British 40mm gun (and pretty much all other underwing cannons) did not fire accurately compared to internal guns. The best place to hang the outboard gun was on the centerline, to avoid overloading the wings and convergence of fire problems. Obviously that was not possible with single-engine types.