Boulton Paul Defiant

[rickshaw]

Greg, interesting drawings.  Obviously it was possible to replace the outer wing tank with two MGs if that drawing is to be believed.  I could though, foresee handling problems with the ammunition having to be outboard in the next section and you might have problems putting the plumbing through the gun compartment or the ammunition compartment for a drop tank.  Never a good idea to mix ammunition and fuel.

The fairing around the cannons on the rear decking is interesting though.  Obviously there was some drag there which necessitated it.  That turret must have have interesting effects on the streamlining.

[rickshaw]

Browning .50s were a rare weapon in RAF service until about 1943, Apophenia.  I'd expect them to be .303in.  You also have to fit the ammunition feed and supply in the wing as well.  .50in might be a bit big and heavy for that (that far outboard).

[Old Wombat]

From memory (I'm too lazy to check on the web), actual wartime R&D tried to fit an extra 2 wing guns but this severely reduced the plane's fuel load &, therefore, loiter time (as a night-fighter).

[GTX]

I was thinking of this Sea Defiant entering service around the same ime as the RW Blackburn Roc - 1939.  Therefore I am tending toward twin 303s in the outer wings.  Not saying it would bave been the most stellar of armaments/performers, but it would have been better than the Roc IMHO.  My scenario is that Boulton Paul beat Blackburn and thus you get the Sea Defiant.  Range is affected, but as I have said above, I am planning on (and in fact have already purchased) adding a couple of drop tanks (similar to those from the Hurricane) to help make up the lost fuel.

I just want to see a folded wing Defiant in this sort of scheme:





Regards,

Greg

[rickshaw]

I was thinking, why not just substitute a Hurricane or even a Fulmar wing for the Defiant wing?  That way you'd get your MGs and still retain the wing tanks/range.

[GTX]

I was thinking, why not just substitute a Hurricane or even a Fulmar wing for the Defiant wing?  That way you'd get your MGs and still retain the wing tanks/range.

Err, because I will have a Defiant ...

Regards,

Greg

[rickshaw]

I was thinking, why not just substitute a Hurricane or even a Fulmar wing for the Defiant wing?  That way you'd get your MGs and still retain the wing tanks/range.

Err, because I will have a Defiant ...

Regards,

Greg

Such a lack of imagination, Greg...   

[tomo pauk]

The Double Defiant, here as 3-seater night fighter. Note the radiators moved in front of leading edge. RAF's 'P-38' perhaps, as a 'normal' fighter-bomber, until/unless we field double Hurricane or Spitfire.

[tomo pauk]

Played a little with Greg's profile, to create a long range fighter. Cockpit is moved back, to create room for a fuel tank more or less around the center of gravity (akin to most of the Spits, or F4U). The later version features bubble top. The aerial can be moved up, of course, and the radiator(s) to the leading edge.

[GTX]

 

[Gondor]

Nice, certainly one to get the punters scratching their heads at, especially the lower of the two single seater's 

Gondor

[pyro-manic]

I do like that. What about a "long" Merlin or Griffon (cowling from Spitfire) for a later version?

[tomo pauk]

Sabre comes to mind, too. 2100+ HP, reliable & available in 1943.
Naturally, with wing leading edge radiators, like post-war Tempest prototypes carried, or as Firefly Mk. IV.

[ysi_maniac]

Played a little with Greg's profile, to create a long range fighter. Cockpit is moved back, to create room for a fuel tank more or less around the center of gravity (akin to most of the Spits, or F4U). The later version features bubble top. The aerial can be moved up, of course, and the radiator(s) to the leading edge.

Love that bobble top!

[ysi_maniac]

My contribution: liaison version