A British Borovkov D!

[Lawman]

I was reading about some of the Russian secret aircraft programs of WW2, and found mention of the Borovkov D, which got me thinking, what if Borovkov had come to Britain in 1940 or so (probably fleeing a Stalinist purge). They present their design, and it is considered to be an attractive option for the RAF's needs. It also has the advantage of providing sufficient space to mount larger cannon, e.g. the 20mm HS weapons used by the RAF's fighters, but in a better mount. As with the P-38 Lightning, the grouping of guns in the nose allows them not to be set to converge, which of course limited their effective range (being set to converge at ranges of around 200m for example), whereas if they need not converge, you keep accuracy out to 1000m+. The Borovkov used a single large piston engine, and a pair of ramjets to boost speed, which was supposed to allow it to fly at up to 800kph, i.e. ~200kph beyond normal fighter speeds. This would be a devastating capability for the RAF, especially at night, allowing them to pounce on incoming Luftwaffe raids. Also, the configuration of the Borovkov D gave pretty good fuel storage, which should give it pretty excellent range.

Switching the nose around a bit, i.e. to a more P-38 type configuration would allow better armament options. At the very least, it could include four 20mm cannon, and perhaps even the incoming Russian talent could push for a 23mm derivative of the existing 20mm Hispano; the 23mm would pack a more impressive punch than the 20mm, and would (as the Russians proved) destroy a fighter with a single hit. Four 20mm or 23mm cannon in the nose would be excellent, and there should be space in the mid wing for either a lot of fuel, or more weapons - it could probably carry a number of small bombs there, and rockets outboard.

This fighter would give the RAF an excellent interceptor fighter, using the ramjets in a similar way to later fighters using afterburners. Another possibility would even be to do what the Swedes did with their J21s, i.e. switching the piston engine for a jet - the Borovkov D would then have even more capability, given its swept wings, putting in a suitable jet engine could push speed right up to the sound barrier, perhaps ultimately beyond. The swept wing could even allow it to be modified to go supersonic, based on research done on the Miles M.52's test program. The UK would then take their mix of piston and jet engined -Ds to Korea, going up against the Russian Mig-15s, perhaps almost on equal terms!

[Jschmus]

I had to do a little Googling to see what you were talking about.  I suppose it's plausible enough.  I think it would look good in RAF colours.
http://www.geocities.com/unicraftmodels/on/bord/bord.htm

[Lawman]

Sorry, I should have posted that link. I think it looks like it could have had good possibilities for the RAF, although the mention of a 2,000hp engine does worry me a little, since the Merlin (the probably engine choice) didn't reach that until the late models for the DH Hornet. It was supposed to use radials, so there are alternatives there, especially some of the American radial engines.

The real problem is when this aircraft would enter service - if Borovkov could get the design built fast enough, then late '43 should be possible, and it would be an excellent choice for the anti V-1 mission given its very high speeds (and it's heavy armament would help as well!). There is also the potential for it to carry out fighter sweeps over Germany once the Me262s make their presence known, having the speed to pounce them when needed (or run like hell when the Me262 is behind!). The -D is capable of similar speeds to the Me262 when using it's ramjets, but with the benefit of the more efficient piston/radial engine for cruise purposes - addressing one of the major shortcomings of the early jet fighters! Particularly towards the end of the war, this would allow them to cruise around German airspace, waiting for the Me262s to make an appearance.