Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 3:51:39-3:53:21

A common twin-engine Fleet Air Arm airframe

Better 1930s engines could support one twin-engine carrier airframe for strike, reconnaissance, ASW, and fighter work while simplifying distant logistics.

Bristol BeaufighterCarrier AircraftDe Havilland MosquitoDe Havilland Sea HornetFar EastFleet Air ArmNaval LogisticsTwin Engine Aircraft
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Question

Would better 1930s engines push the Fleet Air Arm toward a mixed fleet or a common twin-engine aircraft?

Short answer

A common twin-engine airframe is plausible because it could cover several roles and greatly simplify Far East logistics.

Notes

One twin-engine airframe could combine fighter attacks with strike, reconnaissance, and anti-submarine work in this counterfactual Fleet Air Arm. Supporting one type would simplify the logistics of a force operating against Japan in the Far East. A proposal to introduce a second airframe would therefore have to justify the additional support burden. The Beaufighter, Mosquito, and eventual Sea Hornet illustrate the sort of long-range aircraft envisaged, with enough versatility to cover several carrier roles.