It really surprises me how blinkered the British Military Procurement bods were and still are today.

Just one example, there are many others. During WW2 the British were issued the 3.7 and 4.7 anti aircraft guns, if I remember correctly the Soviets converted either a 3.7 or 4.7 (I cannot remember which) to a anti tank gun, it turned out to be an excellent tank destroyer.

Originally Posted by BritinAfrica

It really surprises me how blinkered the British Military Procurement bods were and still are today.

Just one example, there are many others. During WW2 the British were issued the 3.7 and 4.7 anti aircraft guns, if I remember correctly the Soviets converted either a 3.7 or 4.7 (I cannot remember which) to a anti tank gun, it turned out to be an excellent tank destroyer.

They did much better in the design of aircraft: Spitfire, Lancaster, Mosquito, Typhoon, etc..

Originally Posted by JOC

They did much better in the design of aircraft: Spitfire, Lancaster, Mosquito, Typhoon, etc..

To a point, the Lancaster only had 8 303 machine guns, while the Canadian built Lancaster had if I am correct 50 calibre machine guns in the mid upper turret, the first Spitfires and Hurricanes were only fitted with 8 303 machine guns, some Hurricanes were fitted with 12 303's, when both the Spitfire and Hurricane were fitted with cannons they became more effective knocking down enemy aircraft.

The fighter version of the Mosquito on the other hand was very well armed, being fitted with 4 303 machine guns and 4 cannon. A very good and versatile aeroplane.

The Typhoon or Tiffy as she was known to RAF crews was very well armed with 4 20mm cannon, but she had a serious defect which allowed exhaust fumes into the cockpit. The problem was never entirely solved.

Yes but Brit if you look at what some of these planes accomplished "going by memory here". The Lancaster carried the largest payload of any allied war plane in the European theater. The Typhoon doubled as a ground attack aircraft as needed. The Spitfire held there own in the BOB against greater numbers.

Originally Posted by JOC

Yes but Brit if you look at what some of these planes accomplished "going by memory here". The Lancaster carried the largest payload of any allied war plane in the European theater. The Typhoon doubled as a ground attack aircraft as needed. The Spitfire held there own in the BOB against greater numbers.

Correct, the Lancaster could carry a 22,000 bomb load, although take off was touch and go. A Lancaster pilot told me he would power the Merlins up to full power while holding her on the brakes, then finally releasing the brakes. He said he was never certain his aeroplane was going to get in the air.

While the Spitfire did a brilliant job during the BoB, it was the Hurricane that shot down 2/3rds of all enemy aircraft. South African Sailor Malan in his memoirs said he didn't want to shoot a bomber down, he wanted them to get back to base with dead and dying on board.

The Hawker Tempest which was an improved Typhoon turned out to be one of the best fighters of WW2 in RAF service. A variant was the Hawker Sea Fury.

Didn't the Lancaster carry the largest bomb of them all during the war? The grand slam or something like that

Originally Posted by BritinAfrica

Correct, the Lancaster could carry a 22,000 bomb load, although take off was touch and go. A Lancaster pilot told me he would power the Merlins up to full power while holding her on the brakes, then finally releasing the brakes. He said he was never certain his aeroplane was going to get in the air.

While the Spitfire did a brilliant job during the BoB, it was the Hurricane that shot down 2/3rds of all enemy aircraft. South African Sailor Malan in his memoirs said he didn't want to shoot a bomber down, he wanted them to get back to base with dead and dying on board.

The Hawker Tempest which was an improved Typhoon turned out to be one of the best fighters of WW2 in RAF service. A variant was the Hawker Sea Fury.

Hehe Squadron Leader Desmond Scott said of the Typhoon... "Should its temperamental engine stop in the air, he recalled, ‘you were faced with two alternatives – over the side, or the gliding angle of a seven-ton brick’; in a forced landing it was apt to somersault and crush the pilot or explode." He later became the youngest Group Captain in the RNZAF commanding a wing of Typhoons.

Originally Posted by I3BrigPvSk

Didn't the Lancaster carry the largest bomb of them all during the war? The grand slam or something like that

Yes she did, you are correct the 22,000 pounder was the Grand Slam or Earth Quake Bomb. It was nicknamed "The Ten Ton Tess." It was only dropped by Lancasters of 617 (Dambuster) Squadron.

Originally Posted by BritinAfrica

It really surprises me how blinkered the British Military Procurement bods were and still are today.

Just one example, there are many others. During WW2 the British were issued the 3.7 and 4.7 anti aircraft guns, if I remember correctly the Soviets converted either a 3.7 or 4.7 (I cannot remember which) to a anti tank gun, it turned out to be an excellent tank destroyer.

I read somewhere where one AA gun, when measured in metric, was an 88mm, but they refused to supply A-P rounds for it because it was an AA gun, not an A-T gun. Blinders indeed!

Originally Posted by George

I read somewhere where one AA gun, when measured in metric, was an 88mm, but they refused to supply A-P rounds for it because it was an AA gun, not an A-T gun. Blinders indeed!

That is typical of the British powers that be, they cannot think outside the box. If the Air Ministry had listened to Frank Whittle, the RAF could have fought the Bob with jets. Some so called experts called his jet engine "Unworkable."