If German seaplane scouts remained a persistent threat, Allied escort carriers would need to intercept them while continuing anti-submarine patrols. One proposed response is a larger carrier or a mixed air group of Swordfish and fighters. Another speculative option arms the carrier-based Swordfish for air combat with upgraded guns, perhaps cannon and rockets. Its imagined opponent would be an He 115 with large floats, while the Swordfish would operate from a carrier. The imagined duel raises an aircraft-design question without establishing which aircraft would win.
Notable Point · 29:27-30:42
How German floatplane scouts could change escort-carrier air groups
Persistent floatplane scouting would force escort carriers to divide aircraft between submarine hunting and interception, or explore an armed Swordfish alternative.