Posted on Jan 21, 2018
| In Defense of the 'Worst Aircraft of World War 2' - Boulton Paul Defiant
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Posted 7 y ago
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When re-purposed as a night fighter, it filled a badly needed niche and was extremely successful. Also keep in mind that Britain had it's own military industrial complex and the BPD was indeed listed on roles as "a fighter." So in order to get parlimentary/air staff permission to switch over to *just* Spitfires, everything else had to suffer or be seen to suffer. The Westland Whirlwind was actually faster and had four anything-beating 20mm cannons. But...it was scaled back in favor of the Spit. Now to the Spit's credit, it scared the Germans and keeping a propaganda edge was worth its weight in gold as well. The Royal Navy had its own variant of the BPD as well.
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1stSgt Nelson Kerr
It was minimal successful as a night fighter and was removed from service as soon as possible
it costs two spitfires or hurricanes (the plane that really won the battle of Britain) to buy a whirlwind and both of those aircraft were eventual fitted with the same armament, The Brits had two major shortages pilots and engines
it costs two spitfires or hurricanes (the plane that really won the battle of Britain) to buy a whirlwind and both of those aircraft were eventual fitted with the same armament, The Brits had two major shortages pilots and engines
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PO3 Donald Murphy
The BPD was a product of 1930's planning and ideas. For its intended purpose, it was a failure. When used as a night fighter it was a success until a specified type could be built. No, it was not better than its replacement, but as the only game in town, it was successful. It bought time for the night fighter types to catch up.
The WW's cost was equal to everything else. Every nation in the 30's had a heavy-fighter design (German ME-110 being a prime example). Even the USAAC had its P-38 Lightning.
The WW was the heaviest armed of the "heavy fighters" and was actually faster than a Spitfire MK-1. Note that the WW used the cheaper "under-powered" Peregrine engine.
Really cheap/capable Typhoons and Tempests ended the WW's ground attack career in 1944.
The WW's cost was equal to everything else. Every nation in the 30's had a heavy-fighter design (German ME-110 being a prime example). Even the USAAC had its P-38 Lightning.
The WW was the heaviest armed of the "heavy fighters" and was actually faster than a Spitfire MK-1. Note that the WW used the cheaper "under-powered" Peregrine engine.
Really cheap/capable Typhoons and Tempests ended the WW's ground attack career in 1944.
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