DH 98 Best Bomber WWII

That's a brilliant analysis, Nigel.

The interesting thing is that, in these days of ubiquitous computing power, such a calculation is actually technically possible. So, perhaps, someday we may see the results.

On a different topic: Payload differences between the B-17 and the Lancaster. I think it is possible that if you take into account the weight of the extra crewmen, guns and armour on the B-17, it might not look quite so bad by comparison.

 

IMHO, there are too many factors involved to declare any one bomber type as "the best". I do think the DH98 should win as the best all around, because it could fill so many roles and perform them all well.

The DH98 B MKXVI didn't have the payload or range of the Lancaster or B17G, but had better precision and much better speed. The Lancaster while having a range and payload advantage over the the B17G didn't have the defensive armament and survivability of the B17. In the fighter bomber role the P-38L, had greater speed, comparable payload and slightly less range than the DH98. The B25J had only 66 percent of the speed, but had a 1/3 greater payload with only slightly less range.. The B26G, while having a comparable payload had less speed and range so it's not really a contender. In the night fighter role the P61B had nearly identical speed, but 1/3 the range and could carry a much larger bomb payload compared to the DH-98 F MKII version and 1/3 larger than the B MkXVI. (I don't know how important the payload figure is for a night fighter but that's why "the best" comparisons don't really work)
The A26B had comparable speed to the F MkII but was 60mph slower than the B MkXVI, it had 64% greater range than the F MkII but had comparable range to the B MkXVI. It could however carry a 2000lb greater bomb load and had much heavier armament.
Given the western allies greater production capabilities they could afford to have multiple aircraft types to address specific roles, and gain slightly greater performance in those roles. If you needed one aircraft that could do it all, and do it with near the capability of the specialty types, the DH-98 wins hands down.
Best all around yes. Best bomber of WWII? Depends upon the mission.

 

Oh I forgot one thing. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder but I don't think anyone can deny the "Mossie" is one damned pretty aircraft.

 

Many Russian's and perhaps a few German's might argue that the IL2 Strumovic was the best, and lets be honest, one of the most damn ugly planes ever flown!

 

sounds like a cue to revive the 'ugliest plane' thread

 

Oh we could have so much fun with that one!

 

The reason that I don't think they'd have a good argument is that while it was definately heavily armed, armored, could take a great deal of punishment and was very effective in it's role, it's was limited in the roles it could perform. It was much slower than the DH-98 or the A26B, could carry a fraction of the bomb payload and only had a quarter of the range. The B25J had approx. 20mph higher speed, 900 miles greater range, 4700lbs greater bomb load and heavy strafing firepower. The B25J mounted 18x.50cals, 12 of them forward firing in the nose and fuselage package gives it as good or better the strafing firepower of the IL2 mounting two 20/23mm cannon and 2x7.62 MGs. The IL2 mounting the 37mm cannon was less combat effective because of the gun's low rate of fire, same/same with the B25G/H mounting the 75mm gun. The A26 mounting 8x.50cals in the nose and the "Mossie" with 4 x 20mm and 4 x .303 in the nose were also pretty formidable for strafing.

 

I think that these Gentlemen would probably agree...at least, it brought them all back....

 

I was not offering the IL-2 or the Dauntless as serious contenders but as points to prove the argument that if you narrow it down to perception only you could make a case for a fair number of aircraft. You can fault the B-17/B-24 for range and payload compared to the B-29/Lancaster or even the Mosquito, but then you have to give them credit for the enemy fighters they shot down, as well as those they caused to be lost as they came up to engage them only to be jumped by Allied fighters.

I have no quibble with the Mosquito, and in world where you could have only one bomber type it may just be the best choice.

 

I fully agree and couldn't have stated it better.

 

perhaps we can let this thread act as a poll based on that formula;

If you were head of a nation's Air Force in WW2 and had to choose just one aircraft type to drop bombs for every type of bombing mission, assuming you could have it for the duration of the war, but going through it's actual development and improvement process,

which would it be?

1 vote for the Mossie here.

 

Can you make me one with folding wings for my carriers?

 

in the perfect world, all carrier elevators are big enough but seriously can't see why not although may affect performance.

 

OK count me in, but when the Tree huggers come for us, I'm gonna say it was your idea!

 

No problem - it was called the Mosquito TR.33 ( or 'Sea Mosquito' )

 

I did not know they'd done that. Thanks Martin;

 

Except, the TR. 33's didn't fly until November, 1945, after the war had ended.

There is a reason it such a capable plane was only with the British Fleet for just under a year. It also could not take off, loaded, from a carrier deck unless it was equipped with JATO/RATO.

That aside, it was an excellent aircraft design that deserves to be on any "Best of WW2" aircraft list.

 

I think it could almost be allowed - if there was only 1 bomber aircraft type the war would have gone on at least one or two more years IMO, and RATO/JATO or longer carriers/better catapults could have happened as a matter of course. no major technology needed that wasn't feasible then.

 

You're quite correct - it can't really be considered an operational WWII aircraft. I added it mischievously to demonstrate the ultimate flexibility of the Mosquito design......

 

As bad as everyone on the forum appears to hate "best of" threads, this thread appears to have become unique. It has morphed from "Re: DH 98 Best Bomber WWII" to best all around bomber, and for once it appears that we have a majority concensus on a winner!
I add my vote for the DH-98 as best all around.