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

[Kutscha]

Originally Posted by tcolvin

The first RAF Mustang 1 came off the production line on May 1st, 1941.
So the RAF knew its capabilities.

Tony

The RAF sort of knew of the capabilities of the Mustang. They also knew the capabilities of the P-39 but found problems with them later when they had arrived in GB.

The 1st arrived in Oct '41 but there was still 8 or so months of testing and training of pilots before the 1st mission took place in July '42. Delivery date is of no consequence.The date of the first operation is more important.

Originally Posted by tcolvin

If they had wanted the A-36, they could have ordered and received it by February 14, 1942.

Tony

What crystal ball were the Brits looking at? It was only by accident that the Mustang was converted into a dive bomber. It then took 13 months from the date ordered before the A-36 went on a mission.

Originally Posted by tcolvin

If escort were needed - a big 'if' given it could operate below the German radar - then it could have been provided by A-36s without bombs with a max speed of 356 mph in clean condition at 5,000ft.

Tony

Early Mosquito missions were flown below German radar and they suffered high losses. Once the coast was crossed the Germans didn't really need radar. You expect missions deep into enemy air space not to be intercepted. No big 'if', escorts certainly would be required. What a waste having A-36s carrying no bombs. But, then if there were Mustang Is.......

As for the 300 mile combat radius, that is a straight line. Missions were not flown straight from base to the target. Zigs and zags would reduce the combat radius possibly up to a 100 miles. Low level navigation is not that easy especially when the pilot had to fly the a/c and also do the navigation.