Aces High Bulletin Board
Special Events Forums => Friday Squad Operations => Topic started by: Frodo on July 20, 2021, 09:27:12 AM
-
I guess this question is for AKWarhawk and whom ever approves these designs if anyone?
Why are we using the FW190F8 ground attack bird for attacking bombers, instead of the FW190A5 or FW190A8?
Curious to the thinking and reasons for this. Others have laid out other problems with this set up, but this only adds to them.
-
That is a good question. My research showed that there were no A8s in Italy at that time. Most A8s were in western Europe attempting to destroy the 8th AF on Reich Defense. Most, if not all 190 Gruppen in Italy at the time of this battle were Jabos; FW190F-8s.
-
What about the A5's or any other early model Fws? I realize we only have the A5 though.
Were the F8s used to attack bombers in any kind of structured way?
-
What about the A5's or any other early model Fws? I realize we only have the A5 though.
The FW 190 only saw very limited use in the MTO as a fighter. There were only 2 short detachments by individual Gruppe of Jg 2 to the MTO that I'm aware of. II/Jg 2 deployed with 190A-4's to Tunisia from November 1942 through March 1943 in response Operation Torch. They returned to France when Tunisia was evacuated. I/Jg 2 deployed to Italy from February 1944 through April 1944 in response to the Anzio landings. They had a mix of 190A-6's and A-7's - so a mix of our A-5 and A-8 would fit.
The problem is that I/Jg 2 left Italy at about the time that the P-51B entered service in the MTO. So the probable overlap is slim at best.
Were the F8s used to attack bombers in any kind of structured way?
I've never heard of any case of the F-8 being used with purpose in a fighter role. Any air-to-air claims would be cases of random opportunities for them to engage aircraft.
190 jabo units did engage in the occasional escort mission during 1943 after the fall of Tunisia and before the invasion of mainland Italy. They had 190A-4 and A-5's at this point and they were escorting other 190 jabos. Still not attacking bombers, but it is at least a dedicated fighter mission role.
-
Thanks for the info guys.
Just seems a bigger stretch for the F8 to chase buffs at 20K and fight through escort.
We have had this discussion before, and the F8 is not a suitable substitute for the A5 or A8 at altitude trying to kill buffs. :cheers:
-
Talking out of my arse, they were JaboF-8s.
Fixed
(you'll have to forgive me for this one :D :salute )