Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 1:42:46-1:43:04

An early Barracuda and the Fleet Air Arm's Avengers

A procurement answer links the Avenger's British role to delays in the domestic Barracuda program rather than to an inevitable one-for-one replacement.

Fairey BarracudaFleet Air ArmGrumman TBF AvengerNaval ProcurementTorpedo Bombers
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Question

If Barracuda had served for more than a year before the Royal Navy obtained Avengers, would it avoid replacement?

Short answer

Possibly; a timely and established Barracuda program could remove much of the pressure that led the Fleet Air Arm to acquire Avengers.

Notes

The scenario changes the reason for buying the American aircraft. The Royal Navy might not obtain Avengers at all if Barracuda were already established because Barracuda delays helped create the requirement. Procurement responds to program timing and available capacity as well as the relative merits of two aircraft.