F7F Tigercat

[GScholz]

Doesn't change the notion that a 1940's autopilot = trained combat pilot is laughable.

The plane would still have a trained combat pilot.

[Wmaker]

The plane would still have a trained combat pilot.

I guess you just can't get it.

[GScholz]

Nor could anyone else. The F-82 was the only long range fighter to have two pilots.

[Wmaker]

Nor could anyone else. The F-82 was the only long range fighter to have two pilots.

- Just because you can't grasp something doesn't mean everyone else can't.

- NAA engineers obviously had an idea, the same guys who also put the autopilot in the plane.

- F-82 was also, as an escort fighter, pretty much alone with how long its missions would have lasted. Just because other firms didn't build an escort fighter with two pilots doesn't mean "no one understood NAA's decision to do so."

One last time. Saying that autopilot can take care of everything there is to do during an escort sortie is stupid. If it is considered that the endurance of the mission is too long for a single pilot without rest, then autopilot isn't going to solve that problem either.

One could argue that a single pilot could have done it but that is a totally separate argument.

[GScholz]

I do understand the reasoning behind it. I just don't agree with it. Just like every fighter design that came before it, and after it. You seem to not like that for some reason and resort to personal attacks.

Saying that autopilot can take care of everything there is to do during an escort sortie is stupid.

No one has ever said that except you.

[Wmaker]

All here:

To which Brooke replied:

I think original design was for very-long-range escort of B-29's, for 2000-mile missions with one pilot at a time maybe taking a nap (or at least relaxing).

To which you replied:

An autopilot could have done that.

You can hang onto my exact words all you want. Everything is there above.

Keep squirming.

[GScholz]

No one has said "fully relax" except you. You keep putting words in my (and others') mouth, and keep reading into things rather than what is actually being said. I was questioning the need for two pilots in the first place, not suggesting that a piece of equipment was equal to a pilot. And having two separate aircraft is much more preferable in the event of combat. Even if the pilots are a bit more fatigued. 12 F-82 vs 24 P-51H the outcome is pretty obvious.

[GScholz]

Saying that autopilot can take care of everything there is to do during an escort sortie is stupid.

And still no one has said that. Nothing I've said even remotely equates to that. You're either deliberately exaggerating or simply misunderstanding.

[Wmaker]

All here:

To which Brooke replied:

I think original design was for very-long-range escort of B-29's, for 2000-mile missions with one pilot at a time maybe taking a nap (or at least relaxing).

To which you replied:

An autopilot could have done that.

You can hang onto my exact words all you want. Everything is there above.

Keep squirming.

[Wmaker]

12 F-82 vs 24 P-51H the outcome is pretty obvious.

Indeed. 24 P-51H's in the drink.

Did you forget what the P/F-82 was in the first place? Very long range fighter. Well beyond 2000 miles.

[GScholz]

No where in those quotes do I say or even suggest an autopilot "can take care of everything there is to do during an escort sortie" or allow the pilot to "fully relax". An autopilot would the pilot to relax more and reduce pilot fatigue, and you agreed with me on that.

[Wmaker]

No where in those quotes do I say or even suggest an autopilot "can take care of everything there is to do during an escort sortie" or allow the pilot to "fully relax". An autopilot would the pilot to relax more and reduce pilot fatigue, and you agreed with me on that.

Yes it does. Or if you think a person taking a nap is alert and fully into flying a combat mission.

[GScholz]

The P-51H had a range of 1200 miles (1350 in the later version with bigger fuselage tank) on internal fuel only. With two 150 gallon drop tanks it doubled that range to well in excess of 2000 miles.

[GScholz]

Yes it does. Or if you think a person taking a nap is alert and fully into flying a combat mission.

"(or at least relaxing)."

[Wmaker]

"(or at least relaxing)."

LOL. Keep squirming.