Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 4:34:28-4:35:38

Blackburn Skuas would give Finland useful air support

Thirty-three Skuas could provide Finnish interception and close air support, with an explicit limitation against Soviet I-15 and I-16 fighters.

Blackburn SkuaClose Air SupportFinnish Armed ForcesNaval AviationWorld War II
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Question

Would Finland have been better off with 33 Blackburn Skuas instead of Blackburn Rocs?

Short answer

Yes. Skuas would offer useful close air support and could intercept many Soviet aircraft, though the I-15 and I-16 fighters are specifically excepted.

Notes

Thirty-three Blackburn Skuas would give Finland more useful air support than the proposed Rocs. Their interception capability is qualified by the Soviet I-15 and I-16 fighters, which are specifically excepted from the aircraft they could intercept. Skuas could also attack advancing Soviet infantry and armored columns. That combination of interception and close air support makes them the preferred choice in this counterfactual.