Big P-38 Range video coming
The P-38 had a lot of range. I'm making a video about that which then goes deep into the bomber mafia saga. I have to address some rather obvious questions that as far as I can tell, never get answered. 1. How did Lockheed get around the prohibition on drop tanks for the P-38?. 2. Why didn't they send them to the European theater in late 1942, when they clearly had enough range to escort into Germany. This has turned into a very long video, but with any luck it will be done this week. Then a Japanese fighter video to even things out a bit. I'm having artwork made for that one.
Comments (8)
It will be interesting to see what you find. I wonder if Kelsey's designating the P-38 as an "interceptor" instead of a fighter had any role in getting drop tanks earlier? Perhaps not calling it a fighter avoided the idea it would be used as a bomber escort and implying their "Flying Fortresses" would need an escort. Perhaps that helped get drop tanks sooner in a backhanded way?
My understanding is there was a certain amount of foreign government influence on policy making in the early stages of the declared war. This policy influence kept the bombers unescorted (to increase vulnerability), and influenced where the bombs were NOT dropped. Greg's discussions of the "Bomber mafia" decisions in the ETO, and of development and implementation of drop tanks for use in the PTO made the plausibility of this idea more real. I would have to assemble my citations to validate this. Without citations, this is just 'conspiracy theory' (a term popularized after the JFK assassination).
Hi William, I'm thinking the fighter mafia came into power a bit later. I would love to hear your thought on this though.
Monk Hunter, the CO of 8th AF Fighter Command, didn't understand his job as he was stuck in the last war. He thought that they were there to protect US bomber bases (as if RAF Fighter Command couldn't do that, already) and enjoy the London nightlife. He couldn't think any further than doing shallow fighter sweeps, so it apparently didn't bother him when his command was denuded of all of its escort aircraft in favor of operations in North Africa...which had no strategic targets, and thus no need of strategic bombers, nor their escorts. While he made not a peep, Eaker was writing Hap Arnold that his command was hamstrung without its escort fighters. When the P-47's range-deficiencies were revealed, it shocked Eaker and Arnold. Where was Hunter and his staff? As you will appreciate, it was right there in the manuals. Anyone who could add and subtract could figure out that the airplane -- as it was equipped at that time -- couldn't do the job! It was Hunter and the VIII FC staff who were responsible for managing their assets, but they failed miserably to do so, and Hunter was eventually canned for his failure.
Looking forward to your video!
I can't wait for this one! My academic research mirrors what you've been coming up with...except for the "Who was at fault?" category. I believe it was the FIGHTER mafia! Would love to discuss...
Can’t wait!
Always look forward to your videos Greg! Thank you for putting them together for us!