The dispute concerned gyroscopic and vector bomb sights, especially the need to account for a manoeuvring ship rather than a fixed land target. Admiralty officers wanted accurate attacks on cruisers, destroyers, and wooden-decked Japanese carriers, with dive bombers also suppressing anti-aircraft fire for torpedo aircraft. RAF representatives doubted that steep dive bombing would remain useful and preferred systems derived from level bombing against fixed targets. The 1937 decision to return the Fleet Air Arm to naval control took two years to implement, while the RAF fought a delaying action and a satisfactory sight remained unavailable. Divided authority obstructed a technically clear operational requirement.
Chapter · 2:39:23-2:48:27
The Fleet Air Arm's fight for dive-bombing tools
The Admiralty viewed accurate dive bombing as essential against ships, while the RAF establishment doubted its value and delayed the sights naval aircraft needed.