Why the USAAF gave up on the A-36 in favour of the P-47.

[drgondog]

Originally Posted by Kutscha

Yes be sure that 250lb or even 500lb bomb dropped by a single a/c could destroy power station complexes. How were these converted fighters to fly into German airspace before D-Day when they could not even reach the German border without carrying drop tanks?

Graham, Spit XVIs had rear fuselage fuel tanks. These were fitted initially in late 1944.

Kutscha - technically the P-51B-7 or its modified equivalent B/C could perhaps reach Hanover and Brunswick/Kassel and maybe Freiderichshafen radius with 500 pound bombs on the internal fuel including the 85 gallon fuse tank. Certainly could make it with one 500 pounder and one 75 gallon tank.. Ditto P-38J - both of which in ops prior to May 1944.

Having said that, I have no idea what percent of the Electrical Power Generation plants coud be reached.