P40 ordinance?

[konate]

I asked this on the ATAG forum but no response yet.  But, wondering if anyone knew why there is no ability to add bombs to the P40's in game?

 

According to "America's Hundred Thousand", pg. 275, the P40-C, and on, could carry a 500 lbs bomb on the center-line.  The export version of the P40-C is the Tomahawk IIB, which I would guess would be the Tomahawk II (late) in game (the P40-B is the Tomahawk IIA).  Now the 6-gun Kittihawk I, on the other hand, corresponds to the P40-E and most definitely should be able to carry a 500 lbs bomb. Just looking for more Jabo options.

 

Thoughts/explanations?

 

 

[Buzzsaw]

Hello Konate

 

Our research indicated at this time, (up to June 1942) the Kittyhawk/Tomahawk were used as air superiority fighters... they were the most competitive with the 109's.

 

They were not used in the Fighter-Bomber role.

 

However, we have recently discovered, one Squadron, No. 6 RAAF, which was equipped with the Kittyhawk Mk IA, was re-trained in May of 1942 to drop bombs.

 

So we may allow bombs for the Kittyhawk in a future patch.  The Tomahawks will not carry bombs.

 

After the large scale arrival of the Spit V in the fall of 1942, the Kittyhawk Squadrons were all converted to the FB role.

 

But that is a time period beyond what is covered in TOBRUK.

[konate]

Oh.  Thanks for the explanation.  Yes, I see (from Wikipedia under "Curtis P-40 Warhawk" entry, under "Operational History" -> "British and Commonwealth" -> 
"Combat Performance"), in reference to the North African campaign:

Quote

From 26 May 1942, Kittyhawk units operated primarily as fighter-bomber units, giving rise to the nickname "Kittybomber".^[44] 

 

Fascinating theater.   I'm going to check out this book referenced in the article.

[Lusekofte]

When I have a break on Wellington I fly Hurricane. It got huge potential now and it is a Hurricane. 
I hear the P 40 is kind of well treated here so I do like to try it out. I would be massive grateful if its get bombs. 

[Buzzsaw]

18 minutes ago, konate said:

Oh.  Thanks for the explanation.  Yes, I see (from Wikipedia under "Curtis P-40 Warhawk" entry, under "Operational History" -> "British and Commonwealth" -> 
"Combat Performance"), in reference to the North African campaign:

 

Fascinating theater.   I'm going to check out this book referenced in the article.

I would not say they primarily operated as Fighter Bombers from May 26th.

 

My research into No. 94, No. 250 and No. 260 is these Squadrons, which used the Kittyhawk, were used as Air Superiority fighters until the fall of 1942 when they transitioned.

 

Spitfires first arrived in N. Africa in May of 1942, but were few to start.

[Avimimus]

21 hours ago, Buzzsaw said:

I would not say they primarily operated as Fighter Bombers from May 26th.

 

My research into No. 94, No. 250 and No. 260 is these Squadrons, which used the Kittyhawk, were used as Air Superiority fighters until the fall of 1942 when they transitioned.

 

Spitfires first arrived in N. Africa in May of 1942, but were few to start.

 

I figured it was more an issue of dates than anything else.

 

By the way - Any evidence of pilots removing the 0.303s? Some of the aircraft have the ability to unload the ammunition for specific guns or remove them entirely - which is a pretty neat feature. However, one can't selectively do so on the Tomahawk. That said, I remember reading of Russians removing the 0.303s but I haven't read about that being a field mod in North Africa... so I'm not sure if it is historical. It'd still be neat to have as an option to try out though...

[Buzzsaw]

1 hour ago, Avimimus said:

 

I figured it was more an issue of dates than anything else.

 

By the way - Any evidence of pilots removing the 0.303s? Some of the aircraft have the ability to unload the ammunition for specific guns or remove them entirely - which is a pretty neat feature. However, one can't selectively do so on the Tomahawk. That said, I remember reading of Russians removing the 0.303s but I haven't read about that being a field mod in North Africa... so I'm not sure if it is historical. It'd still be neat to have as an option to try out though...

The Soviets routinely removed anything they defined as 'Excess' weight.... armor plating, any but the basic guns, etc.

 

This was generally a result of the fact the Soviet aircraft were using 87 octane fuel... they did not have access to large supplies of 100 octane till later in the war.

 

So their performance was a step down from the British flown Tomahawks and Kittyhawks... the British standardized on 100 octane from March of 1940.

 

One aircraft we considered adding as a field mod was a two gun version of the Hurricane IIC... with just two Hispano cannons.

 

With the extra weight and drag of the cannon, this aircraft was quite a bit slower than the IIA model... so many in the Desert and on Malta had two cannon removed to make them more competitive in the air superiority role.  Once the Spit V's arrived, the Hurri IIC's went back to four cannon.

 

May do this later in a patch.

[Bert_Foster]

"No. 6 RAAF" .... 3SQN RAAF "Operta Aperta"