The Blackburn Roc is a poor fighter, while the Sea Gladiator remains a credible radar-directed interceptor, especially in light of the type's later defense of Malta. The Mitsubishi A5M brings greater range and strong maneuverability, making the initial air-defense contest more balanced than later Zero-versus-Fulmar comparisons suggest. The Fulmar is still a year away, so neither side can borrow its mature wartime fighter force for a January 1939 comparison. Wartime Fleet Air Arm demand could instead revive the gull-wing carrier Spitfire concept and accelerate work on higher-powered engines.
Chapter · 31:50-39:14
Carrier fighters and wartime development in 1939
The fighter comparison sets the Blackburn Roc and Sea Gladiator against the Mitsubishi A5M, then asks how an early Pacific war might redirect British naval-aircraft development.