F7F Tigercat

[GScholz]

Keep reading more into things all you like. It's your problem, not mine.

[Wmaker]

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.

(Image removed from quote.)

Salomon Islands, one of the projected places where P-82 would have escorted bombers is ~3200 miles one way from Tokyo. P-82 flew from Hawaii to New York non-stop (~5000 miles).

[Wmaker]

Keep reading more into things all you like. It's your problem, not mine.

Not reading into things. Exact words from Brooke to which you replied. Something you claimed no one said.

Keep squirming.

[GScholz]

Not in a combat configuration it didn't. It was rigged with special fuel pods to make that journey in 1947. And still that's just over 5000 miles. Nowhere near the 3200 one-way missions you're suggesting (6400 miles total). Funny how you initially say more than 2000 miles and when that is shown to work against your argument, you change the whole premise. And still get it wrong.

[GScholz]

Not reading into things. Exact words from Brooke to which you replied. Something you claimed no one said.

And still no one wrote any of these things you claim. You may think I did, but that's your problem.

[Wmaker]

Funny how you initially say more than 2000 miles and when that is shown to work against your argument, you change the whole premise. And still get it wrong.

Both facts come from the initial requirement of the War Department  which led to the plane's design process. In addition to Salomons, Philippnes were also considered. It is true that Betty Joe that flew the Hawaii-New York wasn't armed for example but that's irrelevant when considering the original point. The only way to know what exact maximum range they would/could have extracted from the P-/F-82 is if they would have gone to war in their intended role during Pacific War. Kind of like the range increasing drop tanks became operational in the ETO.

In combat config P/F-82 would have always gone further than P-51H regardless.

[GScholz]

I agree that the F-82's range was greater, but was it a useful range advantage? History seems to disagree except in niche roles. And like so many twins before it the F-82 did find its nice role as a long range all-weather bomber interceptor flying over the Pacific... Flying with one pilot and a radar operator.

Feel free to have the last word. I'm done.

[Wmaker]

Feel free to have the last word. I'm done.

Not looking for a last word, best would just to steer clear from the likes of you.

[Vulcan]

Salomon Islands

the where?