Forging Destiny: Sunrise of a new world

[KiMaSa]

I suppose the threat of arrest made Soviet designers eager to come up with ANYTHING that might look interesting to Stalin.

 

[unmerged(87160)]

Why do all Soviet fighters look somewhat small and chubby? They remind me of small fat babies.

 

[KiMaSa]

孝道​

Chapter LXXXVII: Smaller Air Forces​

Dutch Air force​

Fighters​

Fokker D.XVII

A biplane fighter first seeing service in 1932.

General characteristics
* Crew: One, pilot
* Length: 7.25 m (23 ft 9 in)
* Wingspan: 9.60 m (31 ft 6 in)
* Height: 3.00 m (9 ft 10 in)
* Wing area: 20.00 m² (215.28 sq ft)
* Empty weight: 1,070 kg (2,359 lb)
* Loaded weight: 1,530 kg (3,373 lb)
* Powerplant: 1× Rolls Royce Kestrel IIS 12-cylinder, liquid-cooled, (595 hp)
Performance
* Maximum speed: 356 km/h (221 mph)
* Range: 849 km (528 mi)
* Service ceiling: 8,750 m (28,707 ft)
Armament
* 2 × 7.92mm M.36 machine guns.​

Fokker D.XXI

A new monoplane fighter currently in flight tests. Spain, Denmark, and Finland have all expressed interest in this aircraft.

(General characteristics
* Crew: One, pilot
* Length: 8.20 m (26 ft 11 in)
* Wingspan: 11.00 m (36 ft 1 in)
* Height: 2.95 m (9 ft 8 in)
* Empty weight: 1,594 kg (3,511 lb)
* Max takeoff weight: 1,970 kg (4,399 lb)
* Powerplant: 1× Bristol Mercury VIII air-cooled, 9-cylinder, radial, 619 kW (830 hp)
Performance
* Maximum speed: 460 km/h (285 mph)
* Range: 930 km (502 nmi, 574 mi)
* Service ceiling: 9,350 m (30,675 ft)
* Rate of climb: 6,000 m in 7 min 30 sec (19,680 ft)
* Power/mass: 405 hp/t ()
Armament
* 4 × 7.92 mm (.312 in) FN Browning M36 machine guns)
​

Fokker G.I

A twin engined twin boom fighter nearing flight testing. (When unveiled late in 1936, the G.1 created a stir in aviation.)

(General characteristics
* Crew: Two
* Length: 10.87 m (35 ft 8 in)
* Wingspan: 17.16 m (56.29 ft)
* Height: 3.80 m (12.4 ft)
* Wing area: 38.30 m² ()
* Empty weight: 3,325 kg (7,330 lb)
* Max takeoff weight: 4,800 kg (10,582 lb)
* Powerplant: 2× Bristol Mercury VIII radial engine, 730 hp at 2,650 rpm for takeoff, 830 hp (618 kW) at 2,750 rpm maximum continuous power (545 kW) each
Performance
* Maximum speed: 475 km/h (295 mph)
* Range: 1,510 km (938 mi)
* Service ceiling: 10,000 m (32,808 ft)
* Rate of climb: 13.5 m/s (44.29 ft/s)
Armament
* 8 × 7.9 mm (0.31 in) forward-firing FN-Browning machine guns in the nose
* 1 × 7.9 mm (0.31 in) machine gun in rear turret
* 400 kg (881 lb) of bombs)



Bombers​

Fokker T.V

A twin engined bomber currently under development.

(General characteristics
* Crew: Five (Pilot, co-pilot, bombardier, radioman/gunner, gunner)
* Length: 16.00 m (60 ft 6 in)
* Wingspan: 21.00 m (68 ft 10¾ in)
* Height: 4.20 m [11] (13 ft 9 in)
* Wing area: 66.2 m² (712.6 ft²)
* Empty weight: 4,650 kg (10,251 lb)
* Loaded weight: 7,250 kg (15,983 lb)
* Max takeoff weight: 7,650 kg (16,865 lb)
* Powerplant: 2× Bristol Pegasus XXVI air-cooled radial engines, 690 kW (925 hp)at 9,500 ft each
Performance
* Maximum speed: 417 km/h (225 knots, 259 mph)
* Cruise speed: 335 km/h (181 kn, 208 mph)
* Range: 1,550 km (837 nmi, 963 mi)
* Service ceiling: 8,550 m (28,050 ft)
* Climb to 5,000 m (16,400 ft): 13.1 min
Armament
* Guns:
o 1 × 20 mm Solothurn S-18/100 cannon in nose cupola
o 4 × 7.9 mm (.31 in) machine-guns on dorsal, ventral, and lateral positions, and tail cupola
* Bombs: 1,000 kg (2,205 lb) of bombs)
​

Fokker C.X

A light bomber and reconnaissance aircraft. This biplane entered service in 1933. It has largely been supplanted in the Dutch East Indies by imports of the Martin B-10.

General characteristics
* Crew: Two
* Length: (Dutch) 9.2 m (Finnish) 9.1 m ((Dutch)30 ft 2.25 in (Finnish) 29 ft 9 in)
* Wingspan: 12.00 m (39 ft 4.5 in)
* Height: 3.30 m (10 ft 10 in)
* Empty weight: (Dutch and Finnish) Approx 1,400 kg ((Dutch and Finnish) 3,086 lb)
* Loaded weight: (Dutch) 2,250 kg (Finnish) 2,500 kg ((Dutch) 4,960 lb (Finnish) 5,512 lb)
* Max takeoff weight: 2,900 kg (6,393 lb)
* Powerplant: 1× (Dutch) Rolls Royce Kestrel liquid-cooled V12 (Finnish) License-built Bristol Pegasus XII nine-cylinder radial, (Dutch) 485 kW (Finnish) 634 kW ((Dutch) 650 hp (Finnish) 850 hp)
Performance
* Maximum speed: (Dutch) 320 km/h (Finnish) 340 km/h ((Dutch) 199 mph (Finnish) 211 mph)
* Range: (Dutch) 830 km (Finnish) 840 km ((Dutch) 516 mi (Finnish) 522 mi)
* Service ceiling: (Dutch) 8,300 m (Finnish) 8,400 m ((Dutch) 27,230 ft (Finnish) 27,560 ft)
* Rate of climb: 8.3 m/s ()
Armament
* 2 × 7.9 mm (.31 in) machine guns fixed in top of front fuselage and a third manually aimed from rear cockpit
* Underwing racks for 2 × 175 kg (385 lb) or 4 × 100 kg (220 lb) bombs
​

Reconnaissance Aircraft​

Koolhoven F.K.52

An army spotter plane under design.

(General characteristics
* Crew: Two (pilot and observer/gunner)
* Length: 8.25 m (27 ft 1 in)
* Wingspan: 9.80 m (32 ft 2 in)
* Height: 3.30 m (10 ft 10 in)
* Wing area: 28.40 m² (305.6 ft²)
* Empty weight: 1,650 kg (3,630 lb)
* Max takeoff weight: 2,500 kg (5,500 lb)
* Powerplant: 1× Bristol Mercury VIII radial engine, 625 kW (840 hp)
Performance
* Maximum speed: 380 km/h (205 knots, 234 mph)
* Cruise speed: 308 km/h (166 knots, 190 mph)
* Range: 1,130 km (610 nm, 697 mi)
* Service ceiling: 9,800 m (31,144 ft)
Armament
* 2 × forward-firing 7.7 mm machine guns in wings
* 1 × 7.62 mm L-33/34 machine gun for rear gunner
* 150 kg (330 lb) of bombs)​

Fokker C.XIV

A reconnaissance seaplane under design.

(General characteristics
* Crew: Two, pilot and observer
* Length: 9.55 m (31 ft 4 in)
* Wingspan: 12.05 m (39 ft 7 in)
* Height: 4.25 m (14 ft 0 in)
* Wing area: 31.7 m² (341 ft²)
* Empty weight: 1,315 kg (2,900 lb)
* Gross weight: 1,945 kg (4,288 lb)
* Powerplant: 1 × Wright R-975-E3, 340 kW (450 hp)
Performance
* Maximum speed: 230 km/h (140 mph)
* Range: 950 km (590 miles)
* Service ceiling: 4,800 m (15,750 ft)
* Rate of climb: 3.4 m/s (660 ft/min)
Armament
* 1 × fixed, forward-firing 7.9 mm FN-Browning machine gun in forward fuselage
* 1 × trainable, rearward-firing 7.9 mm FN-Browning machine gun in observer's cockpit)
​

Fokker C.XI

A reconnaissance seaplane in service with the Dutch Navy. First flown in 1935.

General characteristics
* Crew: Two, pilot and observer
* Length: 10.40 m (34 ft 2 in)
* Wingspan: 13.00 m (42 ft 8 in)
* Height: 4.50 m (14 ft 10 in)
* Wing area: 40.0 m² (431 ft²)
* Empty weight: 1,715 kg (3,781 lb)
* Gross weight: 2,545 kg (5,611 lb)
* Powerplant: 1 × Wright R-1820-F52, 578 kW (775 hp)
Performance
* Maximum speed: 280 km/h (174 mph)
* Range: 730 km (454 miles)
* Service ceiling: 6,400 m (21,000 ft)
* Rate of climb: 4.8 m/s (940 ft/min)
Armament
* 1 × fixed, forward-firing 7.9 mm (.31 in) FN-Browning machine gun in forward fuselage
* 1 × trainable, rearward-firing 7.9 mm (.31 in) FN-Browning machine gun in observer's cockpit
​

Polish Air Force​

Fighters​

PWS-10

First flown in 1930, this was Poland's first home built production fighter. Now thoroughly obsolete.

General characteristics
* Crew: 1
* Length: 7.7 m ()
* Wingspan: 10.5 m ()
* Height: 2.9 m ()
* Wing area: 18.25 m² (ft²)
* Empty weight: 1113 kg ()
* Loaded weight: 1500 kg ()
* Useful load: 387 kg ()
* Max takeoff weight: 1550 kg ()
* Powerplant: 1× Lorraine-Dietrich LD-12Eb water-cooled 12-cylinder inline, 478 hp ()
Performance
* Maximum speed: 240 km/h
* Cruise speed: 215 km/h
* Range: 520 km ()
* Service ceiling: 5,900 m ()
* Rate of climb: 5.8 m/s ()
* Wing loading: 82.3 kg/m² ()
Armament
2 x 7.7 mm Vickers machine guns​

PZL P.7

Like the PWS-10, this fighter also first took to the skies in 1930. This aircraft was developed into the PZL P.11.

General characteristics
* Crew: 1
* Capacity: fighter
* Length: 6.98 m (22 ft 11 in)
* Wingspan: 10.57 m (34 ft 8 in)
* Height: 2.69 m (8 ft 10 in)
* Wing area: 17.9 m² (193 ft2)
* Empty weight: 1,090 kg (2,400 lb)
* Loaded weight: 1,476 kg (3,254 lb)
* Useful load: 386 kg ()
* Powerplant: 1× Bristol Jupiter VIIF 9-cylinder radial engine, 520 hp (388 kW)
Performance
* Maximum speed: 327 km/h (203 mph)
* Cruise speed: 285 km/h
* Stall speed: 104 km/h ()
* Range: 600 km (370 mi)
* Service ceiling: 8,500 m (27,900 ft)
* Rate of climb: 62.4 m/min (10.4 m/s) (2047.2 ft/min)
* Wing loading: 82.5 kg/m² ()
Armament
* 2 x 7.9 mm Vickers E machine guns (initially 7.7 mm)
​

PZL P.11

Derived from the PZL P.7 in 1934, this fighter is still considered obsolete by modern standards and in serious need of replacement. (Three aircraft... PZL.38 Wilk... PZL.48 Lampart... and PZL.50 Jastrząb are currently in development with the PZL.38 and the PZL.50 in prototype tests.)

General characteristics
* Crew: 1
* Length: 7.55 m (24 ft 9 in)
* Wingspan: 10.72 m (35 ft 2 in)
* Height: 2.85 m (9 ft 4 in)
* Wing area: 17.9 m² (167 ft²)
* Empty weight: 1,147 kg (2,529 lb)
* Loaded weight: 1,650 kg (3,638 lb)
* Powerplant: 1× Bristol Mercury VS2 or Mercury VIS2[6] radial engine, 470 kW[7] (645 hp)
Performance
* Maximum speed: 390 km/h (242 mph)
* Range: 550 km (341 mi)
* Service ceiling: 8,000 m (26,246 ft)
* Rate of climb: 12.4 m/s (2,440 ft/min)
* Wing loading: 91.1 kg/m² (18.7 lb/ft²)
Armament
* Guns: 2-4× 7.92 mm (0.312 in) machine guns
* Bombs: 50 kg (110 lb)
​

(In summary follows the Fighter types authorized at the time of this report but which are only now being produced.

PZL.50 Jastrząb

General characteristics
* Crew: 1
* Length: 8.0 m (26 ft 3 in)
* Wingspan: 9.7 m (31 ft 10 in)
* Height: 2.7 m (8 ft 10 in)
* Wing area: 15.8 m² (209 ft²)
* Empty weight: 1,900 kg (4,180 lb)
* Loaded weight: 2,400 kg (5,280 lb)
* Powerplant: 1× Bristol Mercury VIII radial engine, 840 hp (627 kW)
Performance
* Maximum speed: 430 km/h (232 knots, 267 mph)
* Combat radius: 750 km (405 nm, 466 mi)
* Service ceiling: 7,500 m (24,600)
* Rate of climb: 12 m/s (2,360 ft/min)
Armament
* Guns: 4 x 7.92 mm PWU wz.36 machine guns
* Bombs: 100 kg)​

PZL.38 Wilk

This fighter bomber was first test flown in 1938 but proved lacking in engine power and performance.

General characteristics
* Crew: 2, pilot, rear gunner/bombardier
* Length: 8.35 m ()
* Wingspan: 11.05 m ()
* Height: 2.50 m ()
* Wing area: 20.4 m² (ft²)
* Empty weight: 2,155 kg ()
* Loaded weight: 2,800 kg ()
* Useful load: 645 kg ()
* Powerplant: 2× PZL Foka air-cooled 8-cylinder V-engine, 490 hp () each
Performance
* Maximum speed: 400 km/h /estimated 465 km/h
* Range: 850 km ()
* Service ceiling: 9,000 m estimated ()
* Rate of climb: 8 m/s estimated ()
* Wing loading: 137 kg/m² ()
Armament
* 1 x 20 mm FK-A cannon fixed in nose
* 2 x 7.92 mm PWU wz.36 machine guns fixed in nose
* 2 x 7.92 mm PWU wz.37 machine guns movable at the upper rear
* 300 kg bombs)​

​

Bombers​

LWS-6 Żubr

A competitor to the PZL 37. (Few were built because of the PZL 37's superiority.)

(General characteristics
* Crew: four (pilot, commander-bombardier, radio operator, rear gunner)
* Length: 15.40 m (50 ft 6 in)
* Wingspan: 18.50 m (60 ft 8 in)
* Height: 4 m (13 ft 2 in)
* Wing area: 49.5 m² (532.6 ft²)
* Empty weight: 4,788 kg (10,533 lb)
* Loaded weight: 6,747 kg (14,843 lb)
* Useful load: 1,959 kg (4,319 lb)
* Max takeoff weight: 6,876 kg (15,127 lb)
* Powerplant: 2× Bristol Pegasus VIII 9-cylinder air-cooled radial engine, 700 hp (522 kW) each
Performance
* Maximum speed: 341 km/h (212 mph)
* Cruise speed: 280 km/h
* Range: 750-1250 km (466-776 mi)
* Service ceiling: 6,700 m (21,975 ft)
* Rate of climb: 408 m/min (6.8 m/s) (1,338 ft/min)
* Wing loading: 129 kg/m² (630.8 lb/ft²)
Armament
* 2 × 7.7 mm Vickers F machine guns in nose turret
* 2 × 7.7 mm Vickers F machine guns in upper rear turret
* 1 × 7.7 mm Vickers F machine gun in underbelly
* 660 kg (1,450 lb) of bombs)
​

PZL.23 Karaś

A light bomber and reconnaissance aircraft, exported as the PZL 43. (By 1938, the successor to the Karaś; the PZL 46 Sum had reached prototype flight testing.)

General characteristics (PZL.23A)
* Crew: 3
* Capacity: bomber
* Length: 9.68 m (31 ft 9 in)
* Wingspan: 13.95 m (45 ft 9 in)
* Height: 3.3 m (10 ft 10 in)
* Wing area: 26.8 m² (288 ft²)
* Empty weight: 1,928 kg (4,251 lb)
* Loaded weight: 2,813 kg (6,202 lb)
* Max takeoff weight: 3,428 kg (7,557 lb)
* Powerplant: 1× PZL Bristol Pegasus IIM2 9-cylinder radial engine, 670 hp (500 kW)
Performance
* Maximum speed: 304 km/h (189 mph)
* Cruise speed: 240 km/h (149 mph)
* Stall speed: 110 km/h (68 mph)
* Range: 1,260 km (783 mi)
* Service ceiling: 7,300 m (23,950 ft)
* Rate of climb: 6.5 m/s (1,280 ft/min)
Armament
* Guns:
o 3 x machine guns:
o 1 x 7.92 mm PWU wz.33 fixed in nose;
o 1 x 7.92 mm Vickers F in rear upper station;
o 1 x 7.92 mm Vickers F in underbelly station;
* Bombs: 700 kg (1,543 lb) bombs.

(General characteristics (PZL.23B)
* Crew: 3
* Capacity: bomber
* Length: 9.68 m (31 ft 9 in)
* Wingspan: 13.95 m (45 ft 9 in)
* Height: 3.3 m (10 ft 10 in)
* Wing area: 26.8 m² (288 ft²)
* Empty weight: 1,980 kg (4,365 lb)
* Loaded weight: 2,893 kg (6,378 lb)
* Useful load: 913-1,546 kg ()
* Max takeoff weight: 3,526 kg (7,774 lb)
* Powerplant: 1× PZL Bristol Pegasus VIII 9-cylinder radial engine, 720 hp (537 kW)
Performance
* Maximum speed: 319 km/h (198 mph)
* Cruise speed: 270 km/h (167 mph)
* Stall speed: 110 km/h (68 mph)
* Range: 1,260 km (783 mi)
* Service ceiling: 7,300 m (23,950 ft)
* Rate of climb: 6.7 m/s (1,319 ft/min)
Armament
* 3 x machine guns:
* 1 x 7.92 mm PWU wz.33 fixed in nose;
* 1 x 7.92 mm Vickers F or PWU wz.37 in rear upper station;
* 1 x 7.92 mm Vickers F or PWU wz.37 in underbelly station;
* 700 kg (1,543 lb) bombs.)

The following details are for the PZL 46...
General characteristics
* Crew: 3
* Length: 10.5 m (34.4 ft)
* Wingspan: 14.6 m (48.9 ft)
* Height: 3.3 m (10 ft 10 in)
* Wing area: 31.5 m² (103.3 ft²)
* Empty weight: 1,995 kg (4,398 lb)
* Loaded weight: 3,550 kg (7,826 lb)
* Useful load: 1,555 kg (3,428 lb)
* Powerplant: 1× PZL-Bristol Pegasus XXB; 9-cylinder radial engine, 940 hp ()
Performance
* Maximum speed: 425 km/h (264 mp/h)
* Stall speed: 110 km/h (68 mph)
* Range: 1,300 km (807 miles)
* Service ceiling: 7,700 m (25,262 ft)
* Rate of climb: 6 m/s (19.6 ft/s)
* Wing loading: 112 kg/m² ()
Armament
* 6 x machine guns:
* 2 x 7.92 mm FK wz.36 fixed in nose with synchronising gear;
* 2 x 7.92 mm FK wz.36 fixed in wings;
* 1 x 7.92 mm karabin maszynowy obserwatora wz.37 in rear upper station (production planes were to have 2)
* 1 x 7.92 mm karabin maszynowy obserwatora wz.37 in rear underbelly station;
* 600 kg bombs under wings.​

(PZL.46 Sum)​

PZL.37 Łoś

A new bomber design expected to begin flight trials soon. (The PZL.37 has attracted the interest of several foreign buyers. The primary limiting feature of this design is the limited scale of Polish aircraft manufacturing capacity. A follow up design is reportedly on the boards.)

(General characteristics
* Crew: 4
* Length: 12.92 m (42 ft 5 in)
* Wingspan: 17.93 m (58 ft 10 in)
* Height: 5.1 m (16 ft 9 in)
* Wing area: 53.5 m² (576 ft²)
* Empty weight: 5,110 kg (11,260 lb)
* Loaded weight: 8,865 kg with basic combat loading (19,526 lb)
* Max takeoff weight: 9,105 kg (20,070 lb)
* Powerplant: 2× Bristol Pegasus XX radial engines, 723 kW (970 hp) each
Performance
* Maximum speed: 412 km/h at 2,800 m with 1,995 kg bomb load (256 mph at 9200 ft with 4,397 lb bomb load)
* Range: 2,600 km (1,615 mi) with 1,760 kg bomb load and extra fuel tanks
* Combat radius: 1,000 km (620 mi)
* Service ceiling: 7,000 m (23,000 ft)
* Rate of climb: 4.7 m/s (925 ft/min)
* Wing loading: 166 kg/m² (34 lb/ft²)
Armament
* 3 x 7.92 mm karabin maszynowy obserwatora wz.37: 1 in the nose, 1 in the rear upper station, 1 in underbelly station
* Up to 2,580 kg (5,690 lb) of bombs (18 x 110 kg + 2 x 300 kg). Basic load 20 x 110 kg = 2,200 kg (4850 lb). Bomb load while operating from unprepared fields 880–1320 kg (1,940–2,910 lb) (8, 10 or 12 x 110 kg))
​

Reconnaissance Aircraft​

Lublin R-XIII

The primary army spotter plane. It first flew in 1931.

General characteristics
* Crew: 2 - Pilot and observer
* Length: 8.5 m ()
* Wingspan: 13.2 m ()
* Height: 2.8 m ()
* Wing area: 24.50 m2 ()
* Empty weight: 956 kg (2,108 lb)
* Loaded weight: 1,332 kg (2,930 lb)
* Powerplant: 1× Wright Whirlwind J-5 9-cylinder radial engine, 162 kW (220 hp)
Performance
* Maximum speed: 187 km/h
* Range: 600 km ()
* Service ceiling: 4,300 m ()
* Rate of climb: 4.12 m/s ()
* Wing loading: 54.36 kg/m2 ()
​

RWD-14 Czapla

Originally intended to replace the Lublin R-XIII, performance issues have plagued this design. (The RDW-14 remained a stop gap measure. The replacement design for both the RDW-14 AND the Lublin R-XIII; the LWS 3, was successfully tested in 1938.)

(General characteristics
* Crew: Two, pilot and observer
* Length: 9.00 m (29 ft 6 in)
* Wingspan: 11.90 m (39 ft 0 in)
* Height: 3.00 m (9 ft 10 in)
* Wing area: 22.00 m² (237 ft²)
* Empty weight: 1,225 kg (2,701 lb)
* Loaded weight: 1,700 kg (3,748 lb)
* Useful load: 475 kg (1,045 lb)
* Powerplant: 1× PZL G-1620B Mors-II air-cooled 9-cylinder radial, 350 kW (470 hp)
Performance
* Maximum speed: 247 km/h (133 knots, 153 mph)
* Cruise speed: 232 km/h (126 knots, 145 mph)
* Stall speed: <80 km/h (43 knots, 50 mph)
* Range: 675 km (364 nm, 421 miles)
* Service ceiling: 5,100 m (16,728 ft)
* Rate of climb: 6.1 m/s (366 m/min) (1,200 ft/min)
* Wing loading: 77 kg/m² (16 lb/ft²)
Armament
* 1 × fixed, forward-firing 7.92 mm wz.33 machine gun
* 1 × flexible, rearward-firing 7.7 mm Vickers K machine gun for observer)
​

Next a wrap up with the IJNAF and IJAAF presenting their overseas wish lists...

 

[KiMaSa]

Okay I'm going to ask my readers to take an active role by assuming the mantle of an Imperial procurements officer. Please choose your own lists of the aircraft that the Empire should attempt to procure.

 

[El Pip]

Okay I'm going to ask my readers to take an active role by assuming the mantle of an Imperial procurements officer. Please choose your own lists of the aircraft that the Empire should attempt to procure.

Well first off I'd ask my boss for some instructions on the missions the IJNAF and IJAAF will be carrying out. I realise the exact plans are probably classified above my level ( ) but a general gist like 'Mostly fighting at sea' or 'Supporting the Army at long/short range'. Or is the Empress going to be ambitious and say "Both"?

 

[KiMaSa]

Well first off I'd ask my boss for some instructions on the missions the IJNAF and IJAAF will be carrying out. I realise the exact plans are probably classified above my level ( ) but a general gist like 'Mostly fighting at sea' or 'Supporting the Army at long/short range'. Or is the Empress going to be ambitious and say "Both"?

I'd say that the Imperial Army wants close range support. The Imperial Navy wants longer ranged bombers that can possibly double as maritime reconnaissance aircraft. Both services are more inclined towards fighters as opposed to interceptors for a longer ranged offensive reach. In regards to carrier planes, the Admirals are interested in Good general purpose fighters and a good torpedo bomber to back up the production numbers of A5Ms and B4Ys, but the greatest need is to find planes to fill the scout/dive bomber roles.

 

[KiMaSa]

No takers? That's okay. Working on the wrap up to the Air porn. Then on to Saigon!

 

[El Pip]

No takers? That's okay.

I knew there was something I forgot! I've been just too damned busy sadly.

 

[KiMaSa]

I knew there was something I forgot! I've been just too damned busy sadly.

It happens! The procurement board would still appreciate commentary from our British friends. Obviously while singleton copies of many aircraft may be sought from any nation, attempted procurement of any aircraft in significant numbers will be weighted against German, Italian, and Soviet types.

 

[trekaddict]

Firstly I recommend buying technology for self-sealing fuel tanks from either the Americans or the British, then try to obtain the RR Merlin Engine, since it is probably the best inline Engine currently around.

 

[El Pip]

Firstly I recommend buying technology for self-sealing fuel tanks from either the Americans or the British, then try to obtain the RR Merlin Engine, since it is probably the best inline Engine currently around.

The self-sealing tanks probably can be acquired, enough people have the technology there's no great secret to it, but the Merlin will definitely be on the Air Ministries 'not for sale' list.

First thing I noticed was that Japanese acceptable seller list is pretty short, knocking out Germany, Italy and the Soviets your essentially left with the US or the UK - the problems of integrating a proper imperial sized engine (i.e. US or UK) into a metric design rule France out of the running.

From the RAF a good bomber target would be the Vickers Wellington; good range, the Bristol engine was exported in OTL so would be available and the Wellington ended up being used for pretty much anything. Not sure if the geodesic construction was 'secret' but it's got to be worth a short.

In the US I'm not sure, my gut feeling is that the B-17 wouldn't be available for sale and the 1930s field is pretty thin (the Bolo :shudder: ). Best I can think is Japan trying for the North American XB-21, it's essentially a pre-production B-25 that was only dropped due to being too expensive. The engine got exported and as it was a dropped design it may even be available, probably the bigger question is cost, how much does Japan have to spend?

I'll have to ponder Fighters, though I fear the Japanese navy can safely ignore the FAA when hunting for carrier aircraft!

 

[KiMaSa]

I agree that the Forts won't be available until 1940 or so. Eventually Japan will get at least a few. (We have the pictures to prove it! )

The XB-21 sounds intriguing. With a better than historic economy, Japan can afford some pricier buys. The Wellingtons will get a thorough look over as there is an immediate need.

The US list has been amended to include the XB-21.

 

[OLDTIMER]

Hi all,

it`s a good AAR you have here KiMaSa.

I vote for Japan buying:

- PZL P.37. Over 2500 kgs bombload in an airframe smaller than a Fairey Battle, fighter like agility, high speed and 2 engine safety. What more can you wish for?

- PZL P.46, an excellent light bomber and CAS aircraft. Flight tests proved the design completely trouble free from day one.

I think the above is what Japan will need the most in her coming war.

BTW, polish production capacity too small(not quite true, Poland lacked money to use it fully)? Licenses would be granted. Poland and Japan were on very good terms back then.
And both designs use engines that would be licensed abroad with thanks. As they were historically. Or use Jap engines with minimal redesign.

Regards, Oldtimer

 

[El Pip]

- PZL P.37. Over 2500 kgs bombload in an airframe smaller than a Fairey Battle, fighter like agility, high speed and 2 engine safety. What more can you wish for?

You could wish for a plane where the rudder doesn't fall off during flight causing the plane to crash. There were other slight issues but I honestly think that one is the most important.

That is also my concern with the P.46; flight testing managed to miss the rudder problem on the P.37 so I don't much weight on that design being trouble free either.

 

[Kurt_Steiner]

fighter: Messerschmitt Bf 109 or Hawker Hurricane (I don't think that the Brits will sell any Supermarine Spitfire to Japan, no matter how friendly they are)

naval fighter: Hawker Sea Fury* or Gloster Sea Gladiator (I don't mind which one, they both suck).

light bomber: Handley Page H.P.52 Hampden

medium bomber: Vickers Wellington

heavy bomber: Boeing XB-17

girl for everything:Nakajima G3M

dive bomber: Henschel Hs 123 (land) / Vought SB2U Vindicator (naval)

recce: Henschel Hs 126

naval bomber: Nakajima B5N

Flying boat: Nakajima H6K5

* From the original Fury series, no the one derivated from the Specification F.2/43.

 

[OLDTIMER]

You could wish for a plane where the rudder doesn't fall off during flight causing the plane to crash. There were other slight issues but I honestly think that one is the most important.

That is also my concern with the P.46; flight testing managed to miss the rudder problem on the P.37 so I don't much weight on that design being trouble free either.

Hi El Pip,

for someone who generally is very well informed re aviation matters you might have known, if you cared abt. facts, that this problem was fully solved.
Actually I think you are aware of this, only you just can`t let this knowledge stand in the way of your all consuming desire to make cheap scores.

Especially when a product is not coming from the UK. Care to have me elaborate on the slight issues in connection with the development of let`s say Westland Wyvern?

Regards, Oldtimer

 

[El Pip]

I must say Oldtimer that was unnecessarily personal, touched a nerve perhaps?

fighter: Messerschmitt Bf 109 or Hawker Hurricane (I don't think that the Brits will sell any Supermarine Spitfire to Japan, no matter how friendly they are)

Which I think means it's the Bf109, the Merlin is a definite "do not sell" and reworking the Hurricane to fit a new engine would be a big job and probably not worth the effort.

That said even if Japan asked would the Germans sell a 109? My gut guess is no, especially as the Empress would probably insist on a purely commercial deal with no alliance or backroom deals.

The P-36 maybe? It was exported to everyone so would certainly be available, but is it actually that much of an advance over what Japan could do herself? A tough one.

 

[OLDTIMER]

Hi El Pip,

I`m a viking, we don`t have any nerves to touch.

All we`ve got is nerve, guts and a sunny disposition.

Regards, Oldtimer

 

[KiMaSa]

I'm tempted to go with the P-36 for a new fighter, especially since the P-40s inevitably follow but any opinions on the Seversky P-35? My heart is for the Curtiss plane but I'm trying to be open minded.

A number of bombers are being considered. As for the PZL.37, wasn't the rudder problem fixed in the -B model? Japan would probably license the design for local production and certainly could it be more trouble than the Italian bombers the Japanese won't be buying in this time line?

 

[El Pip]

I'm tempted to go with the P-36 for a new fighter, especially since the P-40s inevitably follow but any opinions on the Seversky P-35? My heart is for the Curtiss plane but I'm trying to be open minded.

The P-35 combined being more expensive with not being as good, a truly delightful combination. Throw in the designers charming trait of blaming every problem on the engines and there's really very little to recommend it. The two seater though was inexplicably popular despite being terrible, both Japan and the Soviets got a licence, damned if I can see why.

So if you want Japan to make a mistake in procurement (like everyone else did at some point) the P-35 is a realistic mistake to make.

The PZL.37 certainly changed to a twin tail design, however as I understand it that didn't solve the fundamental problem with the design; it was flimsy. In their (successful) quest for lightness and performance PZL hadn't put enough strength into the design, there were wing failures due to lack of riveting, the undercarriage had to be redone, etc. A lot of these problems were ironed out by the 'B' version but the basic issue remained, I believe there were a string of unexplained crashes with even the final production versions. In fact I think I'm right that they even suspended the production lines at one point to try (but fail) to get to the bottom of the problems.

The PZL.37 unquestionably had excellent performance, however reliability and strength were sacrificed in order to achieve that. Some may view it as an acceptable trade off, I however don't but I accept I may well be in a minority. :shrug: