Placing the Fairey Battle.

[Franek Grabowski]

Graham
There were serious problems with Spitfire, Supermarine being just too small and too inexperienced for a mass production. That is why she was considered a stop-gap only, and even in 1940, due to serious delays at Castle Bromwich (oh, those commies) it was considered to cancel the production in favour of other types. The one must consider CBAF was then in hand of Morris, while Supermarine was Vickers Armstrong, hardly friends.
Of course there was a lot of conflicts on several decisions, which we find either correct or wrong, but we have a different perspective. I am wondering, how RAF would serve its purpose having no Spitfires or Mosquitoes, both types having extremelly strong opponents.
Concerning Typhoon and its qualities - well, it simply never entered intended role, and was almost cancelled due to breaking off tails. The fact it was used as a pulveriser had more to the lack of any other suitable aircraft rather than any particular qualities of the design. Considering the amount of money spend at HM citizens expense, certainly a complete failure would have caused some heads falling (including those responsible for the specification), so it is obvious some people were anxious to see it in any role.
The question remains, was there any aircraft better suit to the role of CAS and available for the RAF. Airacobra or Thunderbolt?
Concerning P-47, this was a subject of a very strong PR action, but while not as much a success, it entered intended role anyway.