Blackburn B.44

[kitnut617]

What do you think the P-82 was for ---

[KJ_Lesnick]

kitnut617,

Good point, however the XP-82 first flew in 1945: When was this design due to make it's first flight?

[kitnut617]

You did say specifically B-29's, but XP-88, XP-93 (XP-86C), and others were all to an escort fighter specification originally. So the United States did have a use for this concept even after the B.44 time.  It wasn't until the B-47, B-52 came along that the idea was dropped.

[Weaver]

In WWII a Sunderland based at Milford Haven was damaged when it had landed in the Atlantic to rescue crews from a couple of other aircraft, so much so that it would have sunk if they'd tried to land normally. So the pilot put it down on the grass at RAF Angle, just west of its own base and everyone survived! That's more than can be said of the Sunderland as it was scrapped on site.

Not only that but there's a (silent) cine film of it happening here :- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ZfVEoZmt-c&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Quick, quick, quick get out quickly...and then stand right next to it.  Behaviour I recognise from many a fire and evacuation drill.

It's the ear-to-ear grins I like : "I'M ALIVE!!! EVERYTHING IN THE WORLD IS WONDERFUL!!!" 

[KJ_Lesnick]

Kitnut617

Okay, I amend my statement: Would the USN or USAAF have any use for a plane like this for any of the following missions (including any one, all, or some combination of)

• Escorting sea-based patrol-bombers such as the PBY which have substantial ranges
  
• Escorting land-based bombers across the Pacific prior to the XP-82 (which didn't fly until 1945)
  

Consolidated did have extensive knowledge in flying-boats and would be a good candidate for such a concept far as I know.

I can think of a few engines that would be good candidates for starters

• R-3350: Available for planes flying in 1942, and available for operational use by 1944
• V-3420: Based on two V-1710's cobbled together for twice the power of two V-1710's, it was under development as early as 1937, but was ready for prototypes by 1942-1943 it would appear

[Captain Canada]

Way cool video....and even cooler story ! Were the rescued crew standing atop the wing drinking a beer at the end ? Awesome !

[PR19_Kit]

Way cool video....and even cooler story ! Were the rescued crew standing atop the wing drinking a beer at the end ? Awesome !

SOP for Sunderland crews anyway, whether landing on water or Mother Earth. 

[Captain Canada]

Nice ! No wonder Rat loves his pints 

[kitnut617]

Kitnut617

Okay, I amend my statement: ------

I have no idea on what operational requirements the USAAF would have gone with.

[KJ_Lesnick]

Kitnut617

How about the US Navy?