My WHIF Air-Force & Military (Part II)

[KJ_Lesnick]

I was thinking about two things. 

Firstly, I have thought of using a plane that would be useable as a light-bomber or a heavy-attack plane, and would likely fit the form of the English-Electric Canberra.  In terms of dimensions, according to a diagram I've found online, the XA-43 (which was ultimately cancelled, with funds from the project re-allocated to build the XF-87) was approximately the same length as the English-Electric Canberra, with a larger wingspan.  While I am uncertain about weight, it does seem potentially possible that with some kind of twin-spool jet-engine based on a simplified XJ37, such a design could be do-able.

Secondly, I was thinking about the fact that prior to 1947, there was the Secretary of War (Army), and the Secretary of the Navy.  After that point the Secretary of War was changed into the Secretary of the Army, the Secretary of the Navy remained, and the new Air Force got it's own Service Secretary, and above all of them, was the Secretary of Defense.

I'm wondering was it really necessary to create a Secretary of Defense?  The President previously handled two cabinet members who dealt with various branches of the military, I don't see how much more difficult three of them would be:  Secretary of the Army; Secretary of the Navy; Secretary of the Air Force

Opinions?  

[Battlefield]

I think creating a separate Secretary of Defense really serves no purpose, other than being a purely political position. I think the three armed services should have their own secretaries to represent them. That way, they could present their separate agendas to the president, without having them go through someone else. 

[KJ_Lesnick]

To Battlefield,

I think creating a separate Secretary of Defense really serves no purpose, other than being a purely political position. I think the three armed services should have their own secretaries to represent them. That way, they could present their separate agendas to the president, without having them go through someone else.

Instinctively that is my view.

[KJ_Lesnick]

Just out of curiosity, would there have been any practicality for the USN to have ordered a plane the XB-35 for use as some kind of Patrol-Bomber aircraft?  I'm wondering because it did have a lot of range, and thus loitering capability, and a massive weapons capacity.  It also had swept wings (as did the proof of concept aircraft which it was developed from) which could later be applied to other aircraft designs, such as jet-aircraft, as to get swept-wings into the air faster.

[KJ_Lesnick]

Battlefield,

Here is something very interesting.  Look at this link

http://airrefuelingarchive.wordpress.com/2009/05/10/b-24d-refueling-a-b-17e/

According to this article, the USAAF actually did experiment with the idea of mid-air refueling technology during the course of WW2.  It is a rather unusual configuration, compared to the hose-and-drogue, or the flying-boom designs that we're currently familiar with (refueling rates are also a bit slow, though evidently acceptable)  While the USAAF did not see the wisdom of developing this, this could easily be developed for the WHIF Air-Force.  

I don't know how hard it would be to transition from this configuration to the hose and drogue, or flying-boom (though that's an interesting question in and of itself) configuration, but either seem more practical than this configuration.

[KJ_Lesnick]

I was thinking, since you'd have an air-force that would be covering both land based and carrier-based aviation, once the first generation of jet-fighters take flight, do you think it would be good to basically start requirements that air-superiority, certain interceptors, and some attack-planes would have to be built to Navy standards?

Assuming the plane is designed right, using good construction techniques, and light-weight high-strength metals, and such, it's possible to produce a reasonably sturdy plane that could operate off a carrier-deck and still be reasonably light.  Many of the qualities that are important for navy aircraft, such as possessing good roll-authority even down at low-speeds with the gears up or down, good pitch authority, and the ability to be able to precisely control the descent rate, and good over the nose visibility, are good qualities for any combat aircraft to have.

[KJ_Lesnick]

This is the proposed F-1 Eagle design, which will be the WHIF-Nation's first jet-fighter (Artwork courtesy Jose F / ElectrikBlue).  It's basically designed to perform the same roles the Bell P-59 Airacomet and Gloster Meteor were designed for, making it's first flight either in late 1942 or early 1943, with an introduction to service in 1944.

Based on the size of the aircraft, weight figures to be similar to the P-59, and Gloster Meteor, and J31 powerplants, do you guys think the design would fly well?


K.J. Lesnick

[KJ_Lesnick]

Should the WHIF Nation be basically the United States following a different history during and after WW2?  Or should it be an entirely different nation?

If the latter is the case, where should the WHIF-Nation be located?  It would have to meet the following requirements
- Has to exist on Earth
- Since it has a Navy, it has to be in a location that has access to the sea
- Has to be in a location with sufficient resources for an industrial society
- Has to be at least the size of Norway
- Data of independence to exist no earlier than 1825 or 1830
- Allied alignment
- Ties to the United States by 1921
- Cannot consequentially affect history significantly by the start of WW2

[Battlefield]

I think that the whif republic should be in either Europe or North America, since those two continents match the criteria you've set.
The F-1 is a nice looking fighter. I think the design will work out fine.

[James]

This is the proposed F-1 Eagle design, which will be the WHIF-Nation's first jet-fighter (Artwork courtesy Jose F / ElectrikBlue).  It's basically designed to perform the same roles the Bell P-59 Airacomet and Gloster Meteor were designed for, making it's first flight either in late 1942 or early 1943, with an introduction to service in 1944.

Based on the size of the aircraft, weight figures to be similar to the P-59, and Gloster Meteor, and J31 powerplants, do you guys think the design would fly well?


K.J. Lesnick

I like the idea. 

[KJ_Lesnick]

Battlefield,

I think that the whif republic should be in either Europe or North America, since those two continents match the criteria you've set.

I don't know about North America, simply because of the fact that there are only three countries on North America (unless you count Central America), and I have difficulty imagining a change in the history of Mexico or Canada to fit these criteria would not significantly affect the United States' history prior to WW2.

While Europe seems possible, I don't know how well it would wither a continuous assault from Nazi Germany.  I'm wondering about South America -- are there any locations on that continent that could meet the criteria?

The F-1 is a nice looking fighter. I think the design will work out fine.

I personally like the design a great deal, it fits my initial vision quite well.  The only "issues" with the design is that the intakes might be a bit too deep (Something I'm working with the artist, ElectrikBlue, on), and the fact that the fuselage narrows in in the middle which is typically reminiscent of area-ruling of later designs (at least in this design aspect, I have seen some propeller designs dating back before the end of WW2 that had a similar shape for a variety of reasons -- in this case, to better blend the engine-bays in with the fuselage).


James,

I like the idea. 

Thanks

[tahsin]

Although in reality it is a merry photo of showing Odessa in their ally to pals , let the members of  Red Army be your guide in their flush with confidence attitude just after Kursk .  I read the last "cannot " line as insignificant and in an hour or two remembered this picture . Somehow to honour the tankist , I think your whiff army should  adopt T-95  as  the lightweight anti tank platform .

Climbing one line up the 1921 date sort of suggests the whiff nation threw its lot with the Kaiser in the big one and got defeated by US . How do they say "Yeah , right " in Texas ? Allied alignment line obviously takes it - in some little probability -  to March 18 , 1915 , one exact month after German declaration of unrestricted submarine warfare . Independence date might well be Sam Houston managing to derail the popular mood to join the Confedarates , a bitter long running campaign tiring the Union , while being a monopoly on cotton exports  make the once again free Whiff nation rich , Euro friendly ,  strong in army and navy ,  hence a tough nut to crack .

Though making a connection to a geographical location makes it hard to avoid the convention . The veterans of WW2 would obviously take an issue with the provision that they couldn't effect history . They would rather regale visitors by tales of how they hang Hitler's escape party , except Hanna Reitsch and would avoid explaining the why of the last item . I understand this kind of behavior that they are so unique that they can do by merely being from the place is the thing that specialises the brag .

Finally the very first provision would cause a smile or two . Say , why is the use of Martian tripods  banned ?

[KJ_Lesnick]

Tashin,

I'm not sure I understand what you're saying entirely.  Do you think the WHIF nation should be friends with the United States at a date no earlier than March 1915?  I don't want Sam Houston to join the Confederacy -- I think it was good to refuse to join them.

[tahsin]

They might have joined forces in actively patrolling against U-boots , that would have given a close working relationship between the two navies , some sort of peacetime alliance . Regarding Sam Houston , it is obviously a problem with elites , one man can not stop anything . Texan elites , meaning anglos and a fifth column for Washington in the '30s and new comers who had desired to spread slavery for their political gains , simply buried him alive  .

[KJ_Lesnick]

Tahsin,

They might have joined forces in actively patrolling against U-boots , that would have given a close working relationship between the two navies , some sort of peacetime alliance .

I'm not sure about patrolling against U-boats, though it could be possible.  Peacetime alliance sounds reasonable, though I don't know to exactly what capacity.

Opinions?  (Everybody)