Late War British Aircraft

[Don Bowen]

There is some wonderful artwork for late war aircraft at: http://www.alternatewars.com/Mods/WITP_AE/WITP_AE.htm (Thank you, but the way).

Does anyone have AE specs for these aircraft, especially the ones that would have come into service in 1946??

[DuckofTindalos]

Here's some stuff for you, Don. SWAG warning in effect, as per usual:

[DuckofTindalos]

And the Sea Fury:

[Don Bowen]

Many thanks. I'm working on a scenario (for myself) that runs through 1946...

[DuckofTindalos]

No problem. Let me know if you want anything else.

[Don Bowen]

Thanks. Let me ask your opinion. If the war had gone on through the end of 1946, what planes would the British have deployed to the Pacific?

[DuckofTindalos]

I actually doubt they would have gone ahead with a great many land-based aircraft. Tiger Force and what-not was a Churchill pet project, and he got kicked out of office in 1945.

But if they did, then we're obviously talking long-range types. The Lanc and Linc, Mossie bomber and NF types. Perhaps a Catalina or two, mainly for ASR.

If the war had continued, we must assume that the British offensive to retake Malaya would have gone ahead too, which would have represented the major commitment for their land-based air.

[Don Bowen]

Sounds good. I think I've got a good selection. Might need to look at early jets.

Appreciate all the help.

[DuckofTindalos]

I would call a Meteor deployment to our game area HIGHLY unlikely. It didn't do well at airfields of less than European or CONUS standard, and its range was comparatively short.

[Sardaukar]

I think Hawker Tempest had enough range for Pacific, so might find some of those around in 1945-46.

[DuckofTindalos]

More likely in Malaya.

[AW1Steve]

What about Vampires? Or SeaVampires? Both were in production (although it had been slowed down and deliberately delayed) the 1st SeaVampire CV landing was Aug. 1945.

[Dixie]

IMO, Almost certain:

Tempest Mk II
Spitfire Mk XVIII
Spitfire Mk XXI/Mk XXII
Lancaster BI
Lincoln BI

Sea Fury
Hornet
Sea Hornet
Firebrand

Possibilities:
Halifax
Spiteful
Seafang
Brigand


A good guide (IMO) would be to consider what types the Indian and Pakistani air forces started their existence with. Vampires and Venoms are likely to be the only jets deployed (if any), it would have been a struggle to get off the ground in the climate of the Far East with the earliest marks of jet aircraft. The arrival of Tiger Force would possibly bring at least some elements of 100 Group as well, Mosquitos etc. Obviously the newer marks of Spitfires would be sent east if the war continued on.

[DuckofTindalos]

I'd say the sending of high Mark-number Spits would depend on how much of the IJAAF would be faced. The Spit wasn't as good a ground attack plane as the Thunderbolt and the Hurricane.

[Dixie]

ORIGINAL: Terminus

I'd say the sending of high Mark-number Spits would depend on how much of the IJAAF would be faced. The Spit wasn't as good a ground attack plane as the Thunderbolt and the Hurricane.

Indeed not, but would that really stop the RAF from sending them? Spitfires would likely have gone, because we had them, regardless of their actual capabilities in the likely role as fighter bombers.

[DuckofTindalos]

True, but Tempest and Typhoon would also be available in some numbers, both of which could spank the impertinence off a Spitfire...

[Don Bowen]

I'm too ignorant to be in this conversation. But when it is over, I'd appreciate help with artwork and stats. Getting most extra artwork from the altwars site.

[DuckofTindalos]

Here's a few more:

[DuckofTindalos]

And...

[kfsgo]

Durability #s seem rather low - keeping existing aircraft as a baseline:

Tempest II is currently a 36; Sea Fury is about the same size/weight, so would go with that in that case.

Firebrand is a pretty large aircraft for being a single off carriers - size and weight-wise it's similar to the Skyraiders etc, so slightly larger and heavier than the 'big' fighters like Corsair, Thunderbolt; those are also mostly 36s, so probably 37-38?

Brigand is a deceptively large aircraft - about the size of a B-25 and a fair bit heavier. Beaufighter is a 38, B-25 is a 42; probably the latter number is sensible given less 'design survivability' but greater mass.