[Crumpp]

Bruce says:

IMHO, it is clear that if the LW had knocked out the British radar they would have gained air supremecy.

IMHO it is not so clear. The fact is the RAF had numerical parity in Single Engine fighters and quickly moved to numerical superiority due to logistics.

Nick says:

Fighter Command had 650–750 fighters to cover the whole country. IIRC the Luftwaffe had a lot more.

One would think that it might work that way but it not the case. If you want air superiority you have to win it.

The only aircraft capable of gaining and keeping air superiority is a fighter.

Other sources give slightly different figures, but most agree that the Luftwaffe deployed an effective strength of slightly more than 900 Bf 109 fighters out of some 1,000 aircraft. This comprised the bulk of their single-seat fighter force. Approximately 150 aircraft remained in other theatres, including Germany, to defend against possible Bomber Command attacks. [34] By comparison, Fighter Command could field 52 squadrons of Hurricanes and Spitfires, nearly 1,100 aircraft (Table 3). Thus, in terms of single-seat fighters, the opposing air forces were fairly evenly matched, albeit Fighter Command was outnumbered more than 3:1 overall.

However, when looking at the overall picture, Figure 3, it is evident that Fighter Command steadily fielded more single-seat fighters as the battle progressed. In fact, as the Royal Air Force grew stronger, the Luftwaffe grew weaker. [36]

What makes this all the more surprising is that Fighter Command's operational losses were significantly higher than those suffered by the Luftwaffe's fighter force (Figure 4). This was equally true for the Battle of France as it was for the Battle of Britain. Thus, for 4 months, July-October 1940, Fighter Command lost more than 900 Hurricanes and Spitfires [37] compared to 600 Bf 109s recorded by the Luftwaffe quartermaster returns. [38]

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0IBO/is_4_24/ai_74582443/pg_6?tag=artBody;col1

The sortie rates tell us how many aircraft each side put into the air. Sortie rates, like radar and logistics, are a force multiplier.

IMHO, removing one of these force multipliers, such as radar, would prolong the struggle but would not in of itself, change the outcome.


All the best,

Crumpp