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Re: Do 18 vs. Bv 138
The Do.18 was more obsolete because it was considerably older and thus due for retirement soon, for which the Bv138 was to be the replacement. The requirement called for a considerable improvement in power, armour and general capability. For which it was inevitably heavier and thirstier, as part of the trade-off with all aircraft designs.
In practice, the light Do.18 was immediately found vulnerable to enemy fighters, even such obsolescent types as Gladiators and Skuas. In contrast, the Admiralty desired 4 cannon on its Seafires in order to deal with the armoured shadower that proving much less vulnerable (i.e. the Bv138). They didn't get them, but that's another story. Having a third engine probably provided some of the benefit.
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