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

[Kutscha]

A Lancaster could carry 14 1000lb bombs.



Or 6 2000lb bombs



So why waste a squadron of dive bombers when one Lancaster could deliver the same weight of bombs that would shake the earth more than a 500lber?

Then there is this load out of up to 18 500lb + 1 4000lb,



The German power system, except for isolated raids, was never a target during the air war. An attack was extensively debated during the course of the war. It was not undertaken partly because it was believed that the German power grid was highly developed and that losses in one area could be compensated by switching power from another. This assumption, detailed investigation by the Survey has established, was incorrect.

20/20 hindsight is so wonderful.

What you failed to mention Tony is those 95 plants produced 50,000 kw. or more, and those 45 plants produced 100,000 kw. or more. Naturally, all were in easy range of the dive bombers.

Another thing you failed to take into consideration was the German response to the first few attacks on the power plants.

How long would it take from the time pencil was put to paper for dive brakes till at least one squadron of a/c was operational? How long would it take to set up and produce the parts required for the dive brakes and what would you cut from production to facilitate the manufacturing of these components?

You may be right, Juha, about the accuracy of glider bombing, but from my knowledge of what actually happened on the battlefield in February-March 1945, 2TAF could not do it effectively. However, that may be explained by the politically correct attitude of the RAF brass in never getting close to the army (evidence the crap thrown at Broadhurst for doing so) and their poor equipment - never let it be said 2TAF pilots were the problem.

More likely from the stress of being under fire.

Though these are for the 190 and 109, they can be applicable to the Allied dive bombers.




BTW, shouldn't these dive bomb topics be in the WW2 General Forum.