Friday Update, April 13, 2012

[zapatista]

Originally Posted by VO101_Tom

iirc the Hurri responsible to shot down bombers, because it was slower than any other fighter in the BOB. I think this is a completely legitimate reason....

the hurricanes were initially mainly tasked with engaging enemy bombers because there were only 2 fighter planes available that were fast enough to catch up to the bombers and engage them. of the 2 available planes, the hurricane was the weapon of choice because:
- it was a more stable gun platform
- it had heavier gun armaments at the start of BoB compared to the spitfire
- it could stand (slightly) heavier damage then the spitfire from german bomber defensive guns
- it was less fast and less agile then the spitfire, so significantly less competitive with the 109's, so by default it was relegated to the bomber interception role (out of the 2 choices the RAF had)

[Moggy]

Originally Posted by VO101_Tom

I do not doubt that they fought against fighters, but the Hurricane primarily responsible was shooting down the bombers. (or i miss something? Spitfire praise is actually a fake thing?)

That was how it supposed to be Tom (and the generally accepted truth), unfortunately it rarely turned out that way. During the battle, raids tended to be intercepted at squadron strength (especially for the 1st 2 months of the battle) be it Hurricanes, Spitfires etc. The plan of having Hurris attacking bombers and Spits tackling the 109 escorts just really didn't take place until later in the battle when 12 group came into their own during the battle over London. There was more time to organize the fighters and assign them to the correct altitude\vectors.

[Kwiatek]

Originally Posted by Frequent_Flyer View Post
Historically the Hurricane did account for more victories than the Spit in BOB. Historially accurate flight models combined with historical tactics should give all the combatants a fighting chance.

Originally Posted by VO101_Tom

They shot down bombers...

It looks that some have little knwowledge about these days but still they think they know better


Salute to 303 Squadron Pilots !

[Frequent_Flyer]

Originally Posted by Kwiatek

Originally Posted by Frequent_Flyer View Post
Historically the Hurricane did account for more victories than the Spit in BOB. Historially accurate flight models combined with historical tactics should give all the combatants a fighting chance.



It looks that some have little knwowledge about these days but still they think they know better


Salute to 303 Squadron Pilots !

The RAF certainly could have used the Poles more effectively. These pilots fought with the Polish airforce, and the French before the RAF. They had vastly more experience than their RAF hosts and yet they were an after thought, almost missing BOB.

[Kwiatek]

Frequent_Flyer i didnt wrote to you

I know something about Polish Fighter Pilots during WW2 and not only about Polish

[VO101_Tom]

Originally Posted by Kwiatek

It looks that some have little knwowledge about these days but still they think they know better

We talk about the Hurricanes and Spitfires in BoB, not only the 303 squadron.

But if you have any proof, please share, if the Hurricanes shot down more fighter than Spitfires. I found only this (or similar):

"Both the Supermarine Spitfire and the Hurricane are renowned for their part in defending Britain against the Luftwaffe — generally the Spitfire would intercept the German fighters, leaving Hurricanes to concentrate on the bombers, but despite the undoubted abilities of the "thoroughbred" Spitfire, it was the "workhorse" Hurricane that scored the higher number of RAF victories during this period, accounting for 55 percent of the 2,739 German losses, according to Fighter Command, compared with 42 per cent by Spitfires.[39]"

But there is no exact numbers, how many bomber, how many fighter...

[Frequent_Flyer]

Originally Posted by VO101_Tom

We talk about the Hurricanes and Spitfires in BoB, not only the 303 squadron.

But if you have any proof, please share, if the Hurricanes shot down more fighter than Spitfires. I found only this (or similar):

"Both the Supermarine Spitfire and the Hurricane are renowned for their part in defending Britain against the Luftwaffe — generally the Spitfire would intercept the German fighters, leaving Hurricanes to concentrate on the bombers, but despite the undoubted abilities of the "thoroughbred" Spitfire, it was the "workhorse" Hurricane that scored the higher number of RAF victories during this period, accounting for 55 percent of the 2,739 German losses, according to Fighter Command, compared with 42 per cent by Spitfires.[39]"

But there is no exact numbers, how many bomber, how many fighter...

Also, consider the Bf-110, a fighter , other than having greater range was useless as an escort and easy meat for the Hurri. In addition. the Ju-87 was rendered " obsolete " during BOB, based upon its record vs. the Hurri and Spit.

Keep in mind ,the pathitic range of the 109 required it to return to base well before its escort duties were fullfilled on a great number of occasions. Leaving nothing but the Bombers for both the Spit and Hurri to concentrate on.
Both the Spit and the Hurri may have scored more victories over Bombers rather than fighters.

Thats not a bad thing!

[taildraggernut]

Yet I believe more 109's were lost than any other German aircraft type

[Frequent_Flyer]

Originally Posted by VO101_Tom

They shot down bombers...

Read the history of the Polish Sqdns. fighting in BOB. They flew predominately Hurri's and the majority of their kills were not bombers. in addition they were not allowed to engage in combat until aprox. half of the time span genellay accepted as BOB, elapsed. They still were some of the highest scoring units to participate.

[VO101_Tom]

Originally Posted by Frequent_Flyer

Read the history of the Polish Sqdns. fighting in BOB. They flew predominately Hurri's and the majority of their kills were not bombers. in addition they were not allowed to engage in combat until aprox. half of the time span genellay accepted as BOB, elapsed. They still were some of the highest scoring units to participate.

Can you give me the sources? I looking now detailed air victory lists, but i don't find...