The Whale Has Wings Vol 2 - Taranto to Singapore
Page 29
Mitsubishi A6M Zero-Sen Type Zero fighter (Zero)
Probably the best Japanese naval fighter of the war, the Zero had only been operation since July 1940. Again a light and very manoeuvrable design, it was much faster than the Claude, and with a considerably heavier armament (2x7.7mm and 2x20mm cannon), it was far more dangerous to allied fighters.
Nakajima Ki-43 Hayabusa Type 1 fighter (Oscar)
A fighter used by the Japanese army, the plane was very agile, but again had a poor maximum speed and armament (2x0.5" guns).
Aichi D3A Type 99 dive bomber (Val)
Introduced to service in 1940, this was the dive bomber in use by the Japanese Navy when war with Japan started. Roughly comparable in performance with the Cormorant or Ju87, its main limitation was that it was designed to carry a 250kg bomb, which was of limited effectiveness against battleships or the Royal Navy's heavily protected fleet carriers.
Nakajima B5N Type 97 TBR (Kate)
The standard torpedo bomber in use by the Japanese Navy at the start of the war, this plane was one of the best torpedo planes in service. Broadly comparable with the SeaLance.
All Japanese planes were lightly built by comparison with Western designs. The advantage of that was it allowed them a much longer range, a very important characteristic in the vast Pacific theatre. The drawback was that this made them relatively fragile, especially to the heavy armament some of the allied fighter carried by 1941.
Appendix Two
Aircraft Carriers in service
Royal Navy
HMS Eagle
26,000t displacement, speed 22.5 kt ; 5x4" guns, approx 10x20mm. Normal aircraft complement 21
HMS Hermes
13,000t displacement, 25kt ; 4x4" guns, approx 10x20mm. Normal aircraft complement 20
HMS Argus
14,500t displacement, 20kt ; 6x4" guns, approx 12 20mm. Normal aircraft complement 20
HMS Furious
23,000t displacement, 31kt ; 12x20mm. Normal aircraft complement 36
HMS Courageous (sunk Oct 1940), HMS Glorious
27,500t displacement, 30kt ; 8x40mm, approx 8x20mm. Normal aircraft complement 48
HMS Ark Royal, HMS Illustrious
24,000t displacement, speed 31.5kt ; 16x4.5" guns, 64x40mm, approx 20x20mm. Normal aircraft complement 65
HMS Formidable, HMS Victorious, HMS Indefatigable, HMS Implacable
24,500t displacement, speed 32kt ; 16x4.5" guns, 64x40mm, approx 20x20mm. Normal aircraft complement 68
HMS Colossus, HMS Mars, HMS Vengeance, HMS Venerable (sunk April 1940), HMS Glory, HMS Ocean, HMS Edgar, HMS Theseus (renamed HMAS Brisbane), HMAS Melbourne, HMS Unicorn (repair carrier)
13,000t displacement, speed 27kt ; 16x40mm guns, approx 16x20mm. Normal aircraft complement 24 (40 maximum with deck park)
United States Navy
USS Saratoga, USS Lexington
39,000t displacement, 34kt; 12x5" guns. Normal aircraft complement (pre-war) 90
USS Ranger
17,500t, speed 29kt ; 8x5" guns, 40x0.5" mg. Normal aircraft complement (pre-war) 75 planes
USS Yorktown, USS Enterprise USS Hornet, USS Ticonderoga
22,000t displacement, 32.5kt ; 8x5" guns, 16x1.1"mg, 24 0.5"mg. Normal aircraft complement (pre-war) 90
USS Wasp
16,000t displacement, 29kt ; 8x5" guns, 16 1.1"mg, 24x0.5"mg. Normal aircraft complement (pre-war) 80
German Kriegsmarine
Graf Zeppelin (sunk 25th April 1941)
28,000t displacement, 35kt ;8x5.9"guns, 16x4.1" guns, 22x37mm cannon, 28x20mm. Normal aircraft complement 40
Imperial Japanese Navy
HMIJS Akagi
41,300t displacement, 31kt ; 6x8" guns, 12x4.7" guns, 28x25mm. Normal aircraft complement 72
HMIJS Kaga
42,500t displacement, 28kt ; 10x8" guns, 10x5" guns, 22x25mm. Normal aircraft complement 81
HMIJS Soryu
19,800t displacement, 34kt ; 12x5" guns, 28x25mm. Normal aircraft complement 63
HMIJS Hiryu
21,900t displacement, 34kt ; 12x5" guns, 31x25mm. Normal aircraft complement 64
HMIJS Shokaku, HMIJS Zuikaku
32,000t displacement, 34kt ; 16x5" guns, 42x25mm. Normal aircraft complement 72
HMIJS Ryuju
10,150t displacement, 29kt ; 12x5" guns, 24mg. Normal aircraft complement 37
HMIJS Chitose, HMIJS Chiyoda
15,300t displacement, 29kt ; 8x5" guns, 30x25mm. Normal aircraft complement 30
HMIJS Zuiho, HMIJS Shoho
14,200t displacement, 28kt ; 8x5" guns, 8x25mm. Normal aircraft complement 30
Notes :
(1) The displacement is given as a 'normal' displacement. The displacement of a ship varies as it uses fuel and stores, and even the 'normal' displacement is somewhat variable, especially when reported to keep inside treaty limits
(2) The aircraft capacity of a carrier can be quite variable. In addition to the 'complete' aircraft carried, most fleet carriers would also carry a number of replacements, broken down into parts in the hangar which could be used to cover normal operational losses. The US carriers carried the most planes as they used a full deck park - aircraft were held on deck. The RN carriers and the Japanese carriers normally kept all their planes in the hangar, although they could increase the number available by using a deck park if they wished. However there were also practical limitations due to the need to carry the extra flight deck and maintenance crews for a larger aircraft complement.
Irrespective of the number of planes actually carried, carriers were also limited to how many planes they could launch in a single 'strike' due to deck space. During this period in time it was about 30-35 planes, after which planes would have to be brought on deck, armed, fuelled and placed ready for a second strike, a process which usually took around an hour or so (depending on the skill of the carrier crews).
(3) Armament, especially of the light 20mm cannon which tended to be fitted on wherever they could fit, also varied through the War. The numbers given are those deigned in; where major changes were made these are listed with date
(4) Speed. This assumes the ship is in good mechanical condition and with a clean bottom. During wartime service the actual speed was often lower due to the inability to refit the machinery and dock the ship for bottom-cleaning.
Appendix 3
Report of the Committee on the application of airpower to defeat Germany (also known as the Dowding Report).
This report was produced in the Winter of 1940, detailing the current state of British aircraft and projects (both for the RAF and the FAA), and the ongoing tactics and strategy.
*
The committee has looked at the current range of planes in service and in development, and at the issues involved in causing the maximum amount of damage to Germany. Since it is obvious that the resources available are not infinite, consideration has been given to causing the maximum damage and disruption to the German war effort for the minimum cost to us. In addition the committee appreciates that there are political considerations involved in showing the public that we are hurting Germany. We have also examined the possible options for forcing Germany to make the maximum response (i.e. commit the most resources) for the minimum effort on our part, with a view to causing them to waste effort and resources. Finally we have also looked at the need to keep our defence strong, and protect the most critical of our needs such as the convoy system.
First, we have evaluated the planes currently available or being developed. We have also eliminated some current aircraft as obsolete or not filling their requirement (although some of these may well be useful in a training role)
Supermarine Spitfire. This is seen as our prime fighter/interceptor for at least the next year, and possibly beyond (depending on how far the airframe can be developed). It has effectively replaced the Hurricane in fighter command. Its short range means it is unsuitable (even with drop tanks) for offensive operations except in Northern France, but it is the
best and most cost-effective short range fighter we have. Production should continue at as high a rate as practical, and ongoing development should be maintained to increase its performance as undoubtedly the Luftwaffe will be developing their own aircraft further. Now that the issues of operation of the 20mm cannon in the cold have been solved, the fit of 4x20mm cannon should be made standard. Work also needs to continue on the engine, to achieve both more power and better high-altitude (over 20,000feet) performance. It is also suggested that the possibility of fitting the Griffon engine is investigated to improve the performance. The version expected in the new year (the MkV) will not reach the performance of the Sea Eagle fighter when it enters service late next year; it is recommended that once the Mk V is in use development continues immediately on an improved version.
Hawker Hurricane. This has now been replaced as our best fighter, but it still has acceptable performance against all but top-line enemy aircraft. It also has the useful ability to be shipped and then put together easily, which makes it a very useful plane for deployment abroad. It also has a possible role as a fighter-bomber, as it can carry a 500lb bomb and defend itself after bombing. It is recommended that the production continues, though at a lower level than before, and that the obvious theatre of operation is North Africa.
Gloster Goshawk. This fighter will continue to be our main naval fighter until the new generation of aircraft are available in late 1941/early 1942. While production has started on two new aircraft (now that the pause due to the invasion precautions of the summer have been removed), they will not be available until the autumn(of 1941). In addition, the new planes are too large to be used on the escort carriers (and in any case the performance of the Goshawk is adequate against the long-range planes found at sea). Continued development of the Hercules engine will give higher performance until the new planes are available in numbers.
Gloster Sparrowhawk. This is the de-navalised version of the Goshawk; production was delayed during the invasion, but was restarted in September and the first production planes are expected next year. It is expected that this plane will fill both the role of fighter and attack, although its origins mean it is not optimised for high altitude performance, and so should not be the sole fighter in use where first-class opposition is expected. As its origin as a carrier plane means it is very suitable for temporary and poor-quality airfields, it is expected that this will become our main fighter for use outside the UK and northern Europe, replacing the Hurricane as production permits. This plane is also being produced in Australia; for efficiency in production, it has been agree that Australia will only build this version, and that Goshawks will be supplied by us for their carrier needs. We will need additional supplies of the Hercules for this to take place; production is already established in Canada and Australia as well as in the UK, but consideration should be given to supplies from the USA (as we are already doing for the Merlin).
Hawker Tornado. The cancellation of the Vulture engine and the continuing problems with the Sabre have caused Hawker to modify a development plane to be powered by the Centaurus engine. This has proven successful. However the performance of the plane is roughly comparable to the projected Mk V Spitfire, only its maximum speed being somewhat higher. It is therefore recommended that this plane does not enter production, as developments of the Spitfire will have similar performance at lower investment cost. Hawker have requested funding for a research programme to continue development of a land-based fighter with a high-powered engine, and we consider this a sensible precaution in case of failure of other development projects.
Hawker Typhoon. This aircraft looks like being extremely rugged and fast at low level, once the problems with the Sabre engine are sorted out. It is not yet clear if it will be superior to the Martin-Baker design; as the engine is still not considered suitable for mass production it is recommended that development continue for at least the next 6 months.
Gloster Sea Eagle. This is the replacement for the Goshawk as the FAA main fighter. It can also carry a considerable bomb load, and may be used in this role instead of the Cormorant (although it does not have the specialist divebombing features of the Cormorant); experience so far has shown that the ability to bomb targets such as harbours and ships at anchor, then act as a top-level fighter, would be useful. The plane is soon to enter production, and the first production models are expected in the Autumn. trials so far have shown that it has superior low-level performance to the Spitfire (assuming the improvements already developed for the next version of the Spitfire are in use by the time it enters service), although the Spitfire still excels at higher altitudes (as a naval fighter, performance has been optimised for under 20,000feet)
Martin-Baker Manticore. This is the second naval fighter development. As the performance of the Sea Eagle is seen as most satisfactory, and the radial engine is preferred by the FAA, it has been suggested that as production has been set up, that this aircraft is produced to complement the Spitfire, as it has better low-altitude performance and a longer range. However we will need to increase the production of the Griffon before it can be produced in the quantities likely to be necessary if it is to be used in Europe. A decision should be deferred until the details and probably performance of a Griffon-engined Spitfire can be determined.
Fairy Spearfish. This is the new TBR plane for the FAA, powered by the Centaurus engine. It has better performance than the SeaLance, and in production form will be the first naval plane designed to be fitted with AS radar (although due to shortages it is expected this will initially only be fitted to a limited number of aircraft). It has also been designed to carry the new (and heavier) Mk XV aerial torpedo. This plane will soon enter production, and the first of the production planes is expected in the late summer (of 1941). The Navy has informed us that if (as expected) the performance and handling show it to be better than the SeaLance for carrier use, they would like to standardise on it, making the SeaLance production available for land use. However as not all the fleet carriers have catapults capable of handling it at full load yet, it is expected to continue using the SeaLance at least until mid-1942, possibly later, as there is also a need to increase the production of the Centaurus engine.
Gloster Reaper night fighter. This has now started leaving the production line, and the first models are just entering squadron service. It is intended to replace the Beaufighter as the main AI-radar equipped night fighter, and when it does the Beaufighter will return to its original role. Due to the need for night fighters, production will continue as planned, although it will require modification once the new centimetric AI radar is operational.
Bristol Beaufighter. Once the need for night fighters is met by the Reaper, production will resume of the fighter/attack version of this plane. It is intended to have three main roles; long range fighter (although it should be noted that it is inferior to the current best Luftwaffe fighters, it should be adequate in this role in all other areas, torpedo bomber, bomber (although it is not designed as a bomber its power allows it to carry a considerable load as a fighter/bomber - indeed, it carries considerably more load than the Beafort. It has also been suggested that a version with 4x20mm cannon and 4x0.5" guns would make a good attack plane for use against targets such as light shipping and craft, as well as other ground targets. This configuration would also serve for the fighter role, and if needed the machine guns could be removed for better performance, depending on the opposition. A suggestion has been made to test an aircraft with a heavier-calibre cannon such as the 40mm, or even larger. Once production allows we suggest a test aircraft is made available.
Bristol Beaufort. While the performance, even with the Hercules engines, is inferior to the Beafighter, the shortage of adequate Coastal Command patrol aircraft means we should keep it in production for at least the next year. It is superior to the Beaufighter as a patrol aircraft, as the extra crew are useful in the observer role, and its primary target, submarines, means the difference in performance is not relevant.
Br
istol Blenhiem. This light bomber has been tried in a fighter role, but is inadequate at this except against 3rd-rate opposition. Its bomb load and durability are now inadequate for the bombing role, and we need to replace it as soon as possible. Due to a shortage of suitable UK-designed aircraft, this may have to be done by using a US import, but in any case the aircraft should be assigned to lower-threat theatres as soon as possible, not to waste pilots in an inadequate aircraft, and production phased out once a suitable replacement has been developed.
DeHaviland Mosquito. The initial flight reports of the prototype show an excellent performance. The testing program is expected to finish in a few months, but we suggest initial work be done of arranging manufacturing; due to the nature of this aircraft, it will need a differing arrangement than normal aircraft. While the bomber does not mount any defensive armament, it would seem ideal for the role of Pathfinder to the main bomber force. Once production allows it could also replace the Blenheim in the light bomber role. While its unusual construction minimises the use of many strategic materials, it also requires a specialised production line. We suggest a factory be set up in Canada to build the aircraft.
Westland Whirlwind. This is currently being produced as a long-range reconnaissance aircraft, but as these come into service in numbers some will be produced as a long range fighter . Before we commit to large numbers in this configuration, we should use a small number to evaluate their performance against the current Luftwaffe fighters.
Vickers Wellington. This is currently our best medium bomber. In addition to its use as a bomber, it is also in demand from Coastal Command for anti-submarine duties. We recommend that production of this plane continues at the maximum rate for at least the next year.
Avro Manchester bomber. The first of these are in use, but the performance is not as good as expected. There are continual and ongoing issues with the Vulture engine, and our recommendation is that it is cancelled - we have other engines in production in the power range if needed. A version using four Merlin engines (designated the Lancaster) has just flown before Xmas, and looks very promising, but the flight trials will not be finished for some time. Preliminary indications is that changing to four engines and a redesign may solve the problems, but this cannot be determined yet