This is the way it should have been from the beginning....

[wuzak]

Another what if subject allowing us to use the great benefit of hindsight.

The idea is simple - list aircraft that were built/used during WW2 which could have been built better had they used ideas from later. These changes would have to be technically feasible in the time frame of the original aircraft, with engines historically available at the time (ie you can't say the Spitfire should have been the Mk XIV at the time of the BoB).

My first thought is the P-61.

Instead of the original concept of the 3 man crew with powered turret with 4 x 0.50s





It should have been built with a 2 man crew, single canopy (or dual if the canopy is too large for 1942/43), keeping the nose radar and teh 4 x 20mm belly cannon.

It would have looked a lot like the P-61E day fighter.



It may have also been fitted with turbos, as per the P-61C, from the start - depending on turbocharger availability.

[Aaron Brooks Wolters]

Did it not have four 20mm cannons in the belly tray?

[wuzak]

Did it not have four 20mm cannons in the belly tray?

Yes, it did, plus 4 x 0.50s in the nose.

Saying it should have had teh radar in theer and ditch the 4 x 0.50s.

[model299]

Did it not have four 20mm cannons in the belly tray?

Yes. The 4 gun top turret proved problematic in early models with severe buffeting when trained anywhere besides straight forward. If not removed outright in the field, the top turrets were usually locked in the forward position and used by the pilot along with the 20's. In that case, the gunner was sometimes left behind to save a little weight, although some pilots liked to have him back there as an extra pair of MkI eyeballs.

EDIT: Spanked by wuzak

[CobberKane]

How about this: hawker should have ditched the Napier Sabre engine when they drew up the Tempest and gone for the Pratt and Whitney Double Wasp, there by doing during the war what they did afterwards when the Bristol Centaurus was used. Same power, better altitude performance and increased survivability

[tomo pauk]

My idea: plumb the wings of the P-47C/D for drop tanks from day one. 600 gals of fuel, no sweat

Plus: produce the Spitfire with Merlin 20 series, retractable tail wheel, LE fuel tanks, 29 gals rear fuel tank, all in late 1940.

Also: produce the Bf-109F/G with 3 cannons, no hull MGs, even if those are gondola-mounted.

The V-1650-1 for P-51 in 1942 is a topic beaten till death, even as we speak

Install the 'features' of the P-38L on the earlier P-38s (proper intercooler, cabin heater, second generator, dive flaps, boosted ailerons, belt-fed cannon, LE tanks).

[gjs238]

Tell Allison from Day 1 to design the V-1710 with 2-stage supercharging.

[tomo pauk]

Tell USAAF that 2 stage Allison, with fuel injection, is the right way?

[model299]

Build more examples of the XB-38. It may not have performed any better than a standard issue B-17, but man, what a gorgeous looking aircraft! Maybe a couple would have survived to this day to look at.

[davebender]

How about if we use ideas from earlier?

He-177B (4 Jumo 211 engines) was proposed during 1938.
Fw-190 powered by DB603 engine like Dr. Tank wanted during 1937.

[tomo pauk]

The Mitsubishi A5M8 prototype was equipped with the late version of the Kinsei engine (circa 1500 HP). So lets make Zero (and Hayabusa?) have the contemporary engines on board ASAP.

[Alison]

I am looking for a Robert Taylor print of Air Apaches on the Warpath. My husbands granfather is one of the pilots who signed the print Major Keith Doughtery. I would like very much to find this painting for my husband. His grandfather is 91 years old and is in the hospital with bone cancer. The man was a great inspiration to my husband and I know this painting would mean a lot to him. Is there anyone here who can help me out or may have a copy of the print they would be willing to sell?
Thanks