Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 2:51:22-2:52:47

A Blackburn Blackburn can call in heavier guns

The aircraft's spotting role gives it access to destructive firepower beyond its own guns.

Blackburn BlackburnNaval AviationNaval Gunfire Support
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Question

How many Blackburn Blackburns could a Blackburn Blackburn burn?

Short answer

Its own guns could start fires, but calling in capital-ship gunfire as a spotting aircraft offers much greater destructive power.

Notes

The tongue-twister question starts with the Blackburn Blackburn's own guns and the vulnerability of other aircraft to fire. Its spotting role offers a more destructive possibility: directing naval gunfire onto a concentration of aircraft. That brings capital-ship shells into the hypothetical. The guns mentioned for the period are 13.5-inch and 15-inch weapons.