Early War aircraft additions?

[BMathis]

I would really love to see some bi-planes in the early war aircraft plane set. Just flying one with guns and bombs would be a blast! I was looking for some that actually flew, and found some that were manufactured in the 1930s... Here's some that would be a blast to fly, and probably fairly simple to model (I think).

American Curtiss P-6 Hawk

Here's some info...
Originally based on the existing P-1B series of aircraft, the P-6 Hawk series was a first-line pursuit aircraft for the United States in the early 1930s. The Hawk became the last of the fighter biplanes built in quantity for the Army Air Corps and was revealed in at least 13 distinct sub-types that included 8 different models. Though never utilized in combat, the P-6 was always remembered as being perhaps the best-known of all the peace-time piston-engine US Army pursuit fighters.

Developed from already successful racer versions of the P-1 and PW-8, the P-6 featured a series of modifications to enlighten military buyers. The P-6 came under the original designation of Y1P-22, but this was later redesignated to the more familiar P-6 due to the similarity that the aircraft shared with the other P-6 series of airplanes. The United States Army Air Corps placed an order for their initial eighteen P-6s in 1929.

The most notable model of the P-6 was found in the P-6E Hawk. This aircraft was fitted with a 700hp Curtiss V-1570C Conqueror engine capable of speeds reaching 200 miles per hour. Twin .303 caliber machine guns were the sole armament and the landing gears systems were static - though a US Navy version allowed for manual landing gear operation. The design screamed World War One to the core, as the cockpit was of open-air variety and the system still maintained the bi-plane design of aviation yester-year.

As a transitional design, the P-6 featured superior performance for a biplane design of this time, this despite the fact that only forty-six P-6 aircraft were ever ordered into frontline service, even when defense spending for the American military were severely held in check through the Great Depression years.

The P-6 Hawk series went on to see modest export success, albeit in limited numbers, throughout the world - particularly to Latin American customers. The United States Navy also utilized the system with a different designation and some slight modifications.

In all, the P-6 Hawk series would appear as the final stepping stone to more advance aircraft design an engineering, which would take a final leap with the start of World War Two. This American "between wars" design served its purpose and its role quite well.
http://www.militaryfactory.com/aircraft/imgs/curtiss-p6-hawk.jpg

The oft-forgotten Czechoslovakian B.534 was at the pinnacle of biplane design in the 1930s.

The Czechoslovakian Avia B.534 series of biplane was a highly regarded though often forgotten product of the European nation. Some reports make it the best aircraft of its category during its early run through the 1930s. Such was the performance of the machine that the German Luftwaffe would briefly setup a fighter squadron utilizing captured B.534 aircraft.

Simply put, the Avia B.534 can be thought of as a melding of two ages in aviation history. The B.534 featured a static undercarriage and coupled with its throwback biplane wing assembly. Under that outdated facade was also four 7.7mm synchronized machine guns, a powerful 850 horsepower engine capable of 245 miles per hour and the ability for the weapon system to carry no fewer than six 44lb bombs. Handling of the system was reported to be favorable, so much so that this combination of speed, handling and firepower was highly respected.

Fuselage construction of the Avia B.534 was a unique mix of fabric-covered steel-structured wing assemblies. The fuselage, as a whole, was highly aerodynamic in nature, complete with an enclosed cockpit. The operational flight ceiling of over 30,000 necessitated this feature.

Avia B.534's would eventually see combat against the invading German forces, for the conquering German forces against the Soviet Union and ultimately phased out of service after completing several, less note-worthy, roles.
http://www.militaryfactory.com/aircraft/detail.asp?aircraft_id=139

British The Fairey Swordfish


History

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The Fairey Swordfish, despite her archaic appearance even by 1930's standards, was a well-performing reconnaissance and anti-ship aircraft for the United Kingdom throughout the Second World war. The fragile-looking aircraft's legacy would forever be tied to the damaging of the German battleship "Bismarck" but one cannot overlook her contributions to other well-played actions, among them, the successful sorties of Swordfish pilots in the Mediterranean Theater provided a major blow to Axis shipping operations. In the end, the "Ole Stringbag" would become an important component of the Royal Navy and a legendary aircraft of World War 2.

Design of the Swordfish extended as far back as 1933 to which an early prototype design known as the TSR.I was lost. From this design, the metal and fabric construction TSR.II emerged with some engineering changes that included a redesigned top wing assembly and overall larger dimensions. Flying for the first time in April of 1934, the Swordfish was received for full operational service in July of 1936. By the end of the war, no fewer than 25 squadrons would be made active and fielding the Swordfish type.

Externally, the Swordfish was from an age of flight gone by. The pilot, bombardier and rear gunner sat in open cockpits. The aircraft was of a biplane type design with the engine extreme forward and the pilot seated behind the powerplant just under the top wing section. A second crew member was seated directly behind the pilot with a rear gunner further aft behind him. Standard armament consisted of a single 7.7mm machine gun fixed to fire forward and controlled by the pilot whilst a further 7.7mm machine gun was afforded the rear gunner, this emplacement being trainable. Despite this relatively meager defensive armament, the true value of the Swordfish lay in her anti-ship destructive abilities. As such, a standard external load of a single 18-inch torpedo was slung under the fuselage while the Mk II model would feature provision for explosive rockets. Power was supplied by a Bristol-brand Pegasus XXX radial piston engine of some 750 horsepower.

With the war in full swing and Swordfish production following suit, the biplane took to the skies over the Mediterranean Sea, attacking Axis interests and effectively harassing shipping on all sides. Swordfish would also be responsible for crippling up to three important battleships serving on the Italian side, rendering Italian battleship power down to 50%. Among other acts of gallantry, the outdated Swordfish aircraft successfully crippled even more German warships in the Atlantic though her most memorable action would be against the great German battleship of Bismarck, to which the Swordfish would end up crippling and ultimately forcing her out of any future German action plans.

In the end, some nearly 2,400 Swordfish would be produced, fighting from land or sea bases and appearing in either landing gear-form or floatplane form. Among the developments of the system during the war would be the Mk II, Mk III and the Mk IV. The Mk II was fielded with a redesigned lower wing assembly, offering up the ability to carry air-to-surface rockets. The Mk III appeared with an ASV-type radar mounted under-fuselage just between the fixed landing gear. The Mk IV was the last in the series, being fielded with an enclosed cockpit.

http://www.militaryfactory.com/aircraft/detail.asp?aircraft_id=571
The British Gloster Gladiator

The Gloster Gladiator was already made obsolete by the time of its inception, yet the type soldiered on through 1944.

Soviet Union Polikarpov I-15 Chaika


There are others that'd be fun as well. A wish I'd love to see in game! 

Here's a full list of ww2 Aircraft
http://www.militaryfactory.com/aircraft/world-war-2-aircraft.asp

[angelsandair]

I'm all for it, but did the P-6 see operational service in WW2 with a squadron? Just curious, dont re-call reading it.  

[Masherbrum]

I'd rather see the Brewster, PZL 11 and Swordfish and then "Call it a day".   

P-6's IIRC, were scrapped out by 1941 or 1942.   Most were done by the onset of the war.   

[Easyscor]

I'm all for it, but did the P-6 see operational service in WW2 with a squadron? Just curious, dont re-call reading it.  

If that's the same Curtiss Hawk the French used in Morocco, then yes.

[ian5440]

cant forget the Peashooter

[glock89]

How about the Hs 123 http://www.militaryfactory.com/aircraft/imgs/hs123.jpg 

Facts
Type Ground attack fighter
Engine BMW  132 Dc.9-Cylinder radial air-cooled 880 hp
Wingspan 34ft 5 in
Length 27 4in
Height 10ft 6in
Weight 4,888 lb loaded
Max speed 212 at 3,940 ft
Celling 29,525 ft
Armament  2 mgs 440lb of bombs
 

[angelsandair]

If that's the same Curtiss Hawk the French used in Morocco, then yes.

Ahh of course

Just curious

[Karnak]

If that's the same Curtiss Hawk the French used in Morocco, then yes.

It isn't.  The Curtis Hawk used by the French was the radial engined aircraft that became the basis for the P-40 Warhawk.

[angelsandair]

Ohh, you mean the Curtiss P-36?

[Jester]

The Curtiss P-6 HAWK Didn't see any combat in WW2 - doubt there were even any in service by the time WW2 broke out.

Think you are thinking of the CURTISS F11C/BF2C/HAWK III.

The export version of the F11C GOSHAWK - the HAWK III was used extensively by the Nationalist Chinese Air Force against the Japanese in the early part of WW2.



 

[BMathis]

Nice finds Gents!

I think it would be a great addition to the game. Lol think of a mass mission of those guys!  Be tons of fun!!!

[SmokinLoon]

IMO, it is only feasible to have planes in AHII that can at least compete with a glint of hope in the mid and late war arenas.

The French D520 and Pz11 are two that could do so.  Maybe the Swordfish and I am sure there are others... but those two for sure.  Otherwise... they will be sitting ducks for all but a few snapshots, etc.

[BMathis]

Bet I could whip some arse if they wanted to turn fight  I imagine it'd Be great base defence aircraft too.

[Ack-Ack]

IMO, it is only feasible to have planes in AHII that can at least compete with a glint of hope in the mid and late war arenas.

We do have an early war arena and we also have a very large gap in our early war plane set.  In fact, with the exception of a few planes, the early war years isn't really represented in our plane set.  People complain about how the early war arena is never populated and the biggest reason why is the plane set.  If we were to flesh out the early war planeset with 1939-1940 warbirds it would go a long way of filling in the holes of the planeset.  In addition, it would be a boon to the scenario crowd and even the AvA arena.

No, what we don't need is another fast late war plane when our planeset has so many gaps that need to be filled in covering the early and mid war time line.


ack-ack

[BMathis]

well said Ack ack