Mossie speed

[Al Schlageter]

No Skoshi it couldn't carry the load a Lancaster could but it did carry a load comparable to the American heavies.

[Skoshi Tiger]

Originally Posted by Al Schlageter

No Skoshi it couldn't carry the load a Lancaster could but it did carry a load comparable to the American heavies.

Al, maybe were using a different interpretation of the word "Heavies".

My books put the disposable stores at something like
Mosquito -early marque 2000lbs later models ('44 onwards) 4000lbs

B25 Mitchell -3,200lbs
B26 Marauder - 4,000lbs
A20 Havoc - 4,000lbs

A26/B26 Invader - 6,000lbs
He111 - 7,165lbs

B24 Liberator - 8,800lbs
B17 -17,600lbs
Lancaster - 18,000

Now in my interpretation the Heavies would be the B17, Lancaster and maybe B24 Liberator.

The Mosquito definately fits into the first group which would be described as attack or maybe medium (at a pinch) bombers.

Also those figures quoted are maximum bomb loads and doesn't state what carrying those maximum loads did to their speed or altitude. In the case of the Mosquito (without any defensive armerment) both of these were it's key to it's survival.

Now the Mosquito is one of my favourite planes. I find that talking up it's abilities detracts from it's beauty and the roles it served so well at.

Cheers!

[Al Schlageter]

Typical bomb load in the ETO.

B-17 - 5000lb (B-24 similar)
Lancaster - 9-10,000lb

There was also a bomb rack designed for the Mossie, though not used, that had 3000lb (6x500lb) in the bomb bay.

Americans classified the B-17/B-24 as heavy bombers and the B-28 as very heavy bombers. The B-26/B-25 are classed as medium bombers.

[Skoshi Tiger]

Originally Posted by Al Schlageter

the B-28 as very heavy bombers. .

I am unfamiliar with this type. Do you mean B29?

On the same track a Mosquito would typically carry less than its maximum bomb load.

Mosquito carrying a single 4000lb bomb would be great in a tactical role, lets say taking out a Bridge, but if we were going for an stategic area target, like an industrial complex, B17's with 12x500 (or greater) would be much more appropriate.

The milliary planners in WWII weren't idiots. If a weapon system didn't live up to it's requirements it was dumped at the first opportunity.

The reason we didn't see great fleets of Mosquitos doing the job of planes like the B17 was that it couldn't do the job required as efficiently.

[Al Schlageter]

Yes, large fingers, B-29. Also the B-32.

No the Mossie always carried its full load.

The reason we didn't see great fleets of Mosquitos doing the job of planes like the B17 was that it couldn't do the job required as efficiently.

No it was because the Bomber Barons couldn't see past their noses.

How many bombs land on the target if the B-17 is shot down? At least with 3 Mossies carrying the same load, some bombs would land on the target even if 1 or 2 were shot down.

[Skoshi Tiger]

Originally Posted by Al Schlageter

Yes, large fingers, B-29. Also the B-32.

No the Mossie always carried its full load.


No it was because the Bomber Barons couldn't see past their noses.

How many bombs land on the target if the B-17 is shot down? At least with 3 Mossies carrying the same load, some bombs would land on the target even if 1 or 2 were shot down.

Wow! It really looks like you've researched this topic and thought through every aspect of the problems associated with it. It's refreshing to see a logical well thought out statement of fact.

I think we need to invent a time a machine and send you back to the 1939 so the Allies could win the war before Christmas and save the world a lot of grief.

Bye

[Al Schlageter]

Bye, yee of myopic tunnel vision.