Why a later war would not transform Coastal Command production

If war began in 1942, how far could Sunderland production expand while its successor was developed?

There would probably be more Sunderlands and possibly a more mature successor, but Bomber Command would still receive priority for large-aircraft production.

Postponing the war would allow additional Sunderland production and perhaps bring the Short Seaford closer to service. The limiting factor would remain institutional priority: Coastal Command and Bomber Command competed for large aircraft, and the Air Ministry was not likely to reduce the bomber programme for maritime patrol. A later start changes quantities and development timing more readily than the allocation hierarchy.