Quote:
Originally Posted by JoeA
Isn't this all a moot point as the Mossie was so difficult (comparatively speaking) and time-consuming to build?
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Even though you needed a skilled workforce to build a Mosquito, the skill set required (for building the airframe at least) was different from the other aircraft in production.
The cabinate makers, carpenters, Piano makers etc. that made components for the Mosquito didn't have to compete for production with the other types being built.
The production of a competitive aircraft that didn't effect the other types shows good ingenuity, engineering and manpower management.
That being said, we only have to look at the early stages of the war and the Battle of Britain to show how ineffective medium/light bombers are in a strategic roll.
When the LW rolled accross Europe and when they were concentrating on the British airfield's their medium bomber aircraft (JU87's, Do17's and HE111's) excelled in a tactical roll.
When they switched tactics and started attacking area targets (London for example) They just didn't have the bombloads to do the job. (This statement is not trying to detract from the damage and loss of life caused by the medium bombers) They were using a weapon in a role it was not intended and therefore it made it harder to do the job.
Luckly Hitler was so focused on his early Bitzkrieg victories that he stymied the development of the Heavy bombers that Germany needed.
The Mosquito was a fantastic plane - BUT - only in the role it was intended for.
If you can imagine the planning and logistics that would have gone into one of the British maximum effort, 1000 bombers raids and then multiplied that by 3 and a 1/2, I doubt Britain (or any other airforce at the time) would have been able to pull it off.