How about a Hawker P.1121 version fitted with American radar (say similar to F-4) plus AIM-7 & AIM-9?
Vought was focused on the Crusader III around that time. And IIRC, the USN all but ordered Vought not to develop a J79 powered Crusader but to focus on the J75 powered Super Crusader.A J79 Crusader IV circa 1959 is one of my pet peeve.
Consider OTL 1969 V-1000 for IFA against the F-5E : it was exactly THAT - a J79 Crusader.
Why Vought didn't got the idea in 1959 for the USN, is beyond me.
It would have ruled Vietnam skies and provided a perfect match to the Mig-21. Even more with two M61 Vulcan guns.
5000 pounds lighter thanks to J79, a much shorter ass and thus no V.I wing anymore. AIM-9L later.
It wouldn't be a Mig-killer but a Mig-genocider.
Isn't the proto-F-5, N-156 still a USN project at this time? Would be an interesting wrinkle if the USN kept their smaller carriers until a later date which keeps one or more of the Super Tiger and N-156 (could probably throw the Crusader into this bag to some degree) relevant for small decks...Vought was focused on the Crusader III around that time. And IIRC, the USN all but ordered Vought not to develop a J79 powered Crusader but to focus on the J75 powered Super Crusader.
IIRC, the N-156 was proposed specifically to give the USN a carrier capable, supersonic fighter that could operate off of the large fleet of American escort carriers in the Reserve Fleet. Otherwise it's not really what the USN wants for its fighter structure. The Super Tiger was a great concept, but Grumman should have taken the concept further than they did.Isn't the proto-F-5, N-156 still a USN project at this time? Would be an interesting wrinkle if the USN kept their smaller carriers until a later date which keeps one or more of the Super Tiger and N-156 (could probably throw the Crusader into this bag to some degree) relevant for small decks...Vought was focused on the Crusader III around that time. And IIRC, the USN all but ordered Vought not to develop a J79 powered Crusader but to focus on the J75 powered Super Crusader.
Were the Argentines interested in an Essex historically? Of course there is also the matter of needing twice the crew but you get what you pay for...July 1, 1958
Washington DC, USA
Admirals Burke and Davis meet with Secretary of the Navy Thomas S Gates Jr. They are there to brief him on Argentina's interest in purchasing an Essex class carrier. Though initially resistant to the idea of transferring such a powerful ship to a South American country, he is slowly brought around to the idea. The sale of an aircraft carrier to an ally in the South Atlantic would greatly ease the strain on the US of patrolling the area, providing Argentina would be able to operate it effectively and deploy the carrier on an at least semi-regular basis. It would also strengthen ties between Argentina and the US, giving the US a staunch ally in the region. Additionally, it was felt that if Argentina was determined to buy an aircraft carrier, better it be an American one, giving the United States some control over how it was used. By the end of the meeting, Secretary Gates agrees to endorse the proposal and present it to the Secretary of Defense.
I couldn't find if they were or weren't in OTL. I saw a brief reference to them considering it, but then very soon after deciding on a light fleet instead. So I'm not sure if its something that they actually tried to make work and couldn't or if it was a "covering our bases" discussionWere the Argentines interested in an Essex historically? Of course there is also the matter of needing twice the crew but you get what you pay for...July 1, 1958
Washington DC, USA
Admirals Burke and Davis meet with Secretary of the Navy Thomas S Gates Jr. They are there to brief him on Argentina's interest in purchasing an Essex class carrier. Though initially resistant to the idea of transferring such a powerful ship to a South American country, he is slowly brought around to the idea. The sale of an aircraft carrier to an ally in the South Atlantic would greatly ease the strain on the US of patrolling the area, providing Argentina would be able to operate it effectively and deploy the carrier on an at least semi-regular basis. It would also strengthen ties between Argentina and the US, giving the US a staunch ally in the region. Additionally, it was felt that if Argentina was determined to buy an aircraft carrier, better it be an American one, giving the United States some control over how it was used. By the end of the meeting, Secretary Gates agrees to endorse the proposal and present it to the Secretary of Defense.
Vought was focused on the Crusader III around that time. And IIRC, the USN all but ordered Vought not to develop a J79 powered Crusader but to focus on the J75 powered Super Crusader.A J79 Crusader IV circa 1959 is one of my pet peeve.
Consider OTL 1969 V-1000 for IFA against the F-5E : it was exactly THAT - a J79 Crusader.
Why Vought didn't got the idea in 1959 for the USN, is beyond me.
It would have ruled Vietnam skies and provided a perfect match to the Mig-21. Even more with two M61 Vulcan guns.
5000 pounds lighter thanks to J79, a much shorter ass and thus no V.I wing anymore. AIM-9L later.
It wouldn't be a Mig-killer but a Mig-genocider.
Pretty much. The USN already had a bunch of types being designed around the J79. But nothing using the far more powerful J75. So Vought was "encouraged" to focus on their existing J57 powered Crusader II and their mach 2+ J75 powered Crusader III. From a pure fighter standpoint, the Crusader III could literally fly rings around the Phantom, was faster than the Phantom, with better fuel economy and nearly double the combat radius. But the Phantom was a true multirole aircraft, every bit as adept at ground attack as air-to-air. So the Crusader III lost. But it's an interesting "what if." Particularly concerning the air war over Vietnam.Vought was focused on the Crusader III around that time. And IIRC, the USN all but ordered Vought not to develop a J79 powered Crusader but to focus on the J75 powered Super Crusader.A J79 Crusader IV circa 1959 is one of my pet peeve.
Consider OTL 1969 V-1000 for IFA against the F-5E : it was exactly THAT - a J79 Crusader.
Why Vought didn't got the idea in 1959 for the USN, is beyond me.
It would have ruled Vietnam skies and provided a perfect match to the Mig-21. Even more with two M61 Vulcan guns.
5000 pounds lighter thanks to J79, a much shorter ass and thus no V.I wing anymore. AIM-9L later.
It wouldn't be a Mig-killer but a Mig-genocider.
Shiiiiiiiiit ! So it was a deliberate murder. There was really a bottleneck there, at the " low end " of the coming Phantom. J57 and J79 Crusader, Super Tiger, Skylancer. An embarrassment of riches once again. Too many companies colliding with superb types.
I couldn't find if they were or weren't in OTL. I saw a brief reference to them considering it, but then very soon after deciding on a light fleet instead. So I'm not sure if its something that they actually tried to make work and couldn't or if it was a "covering our bases" discussionWere the Argentines interested in an Essex historically? Of course there is also the matter of needing twice the crew but you get what you pay for...July 1, 1958
Washington DC, USA
Admirals Burke and Davis meet with Secretary of the Navy Thomas S Gates Jr. They are there to brief him on Argentina's interest in purchasing an Essex class carrier. Though initially resistant to the idea of transferring such a powerful ship to a South American country, he is slowly brought around to the idea. The sale of an aircraft carrier to an ally in the South Atlantic would greatly ease the strain on the US of patrolling the area, providing Argentina would be able to operate it effectively and deploy the carrier on an at least semi-regular basis. It would also strengthen ties between Argentina and the US, giving the US a staunch ally in the region. Additionally, it was felt that if Argentina was determined to buy an aircraft carrier, better it be an American one, giving the United States some control over how it was used. By the end of the meeting, Secretary Gates agrees to endorse the proposal and present it to the Secretary of Defense.
I won't be listing all the details of the purchase agreement, but as I understand it, that's a petty standard clause in almost any military sales contractI couldn't find if they were or weren't in OTL. I saw a brief reference to them considering it, but then very soon after deciding on a light fleet instead. So I'm not sure if its something that they actually tried to make work and couldn't or if it was a "covering our bases" discussionWere the Argentines interested in an Essex historically? Of course there is also the matter of needing twice the crew but you get what you pay for...July 1, 1958
Washington DC, USA
Admirals Burke and Davis meet with Secretary of the Navy Thomas S Gates Jr. They are there to brief him on Argentina's interest in purchasing an Essex class carrier. Though initially resistant to the idea of transferring such a powerful ship to a South American country, he is slowly brought around to the idea. The sale of an aircraft carrier to an ally in the South Atlantic would greatly ease the strain on the US of patrolling the area, providing Argentina would be able to operate it effectively and deploy the carrier on an at least semi-regular basis. It would also strengthen ties between Argentina and the US, giving the US a staunch ally in the region. Additionally, it was felt that if Argentina was determined to buy an aircraft carrier, better it be an American one, giving the United States some control over how it was used. By the end of the meeting, Secretary Gates agrees to endorse the proposal and present it to the Secretary of Defense.
Will the United States have it written down that the carrier will not be used in any action against a ally of them and that they have the right to regularly inspect it if they want it, i know the United States and India did this with the Austin class amphibious transport dock India bought in OTL where the United States obtained an assurance that the naval ship could not be used for any offensive purposes, and had the right to regularly inspect it.
Two M61 Vulcan in a Crusader? Was that possible? I would have thought that the weight would thrown off the aircraft centre of gravity? Would two Aden/Defa as suggested for the UK two seater proposal?A J79 Crusader IV circa 1959 is one of my pet peeve.
Consider OTL 1969 V-1000 for IFA against the F-5E : it was exactly THAT - a J79 Crusader.
Why Vought didn't got the idea in 1959 for the USN, is beyond me.
It would have ruled Vietnam skies and provided a perfect match to the Mig-21. Even more with two M61 Vulcan guns.
5000 pounds lighter thanks to J79, a much shorter ass and thus no V.I wing anymore. AIM-9L later.
It wouldn't be a Mig-killer but a Mig-genocider.?
The F5 as a carrier aircraft? I've wondered about that for a while, and thought it would have been ideal - no need for anything to fold. The one feature I've never liked was the twin M139 canons could they be replaced with Aden/Defa and moved to the underside of the fuselage? Reading above that they would be compatible with the remaining escort carrier, they would be ideal for the Colossus, Majestic and even Centaur carriers?
The problem with the F-5 as a carrier aircraft is that it's already piss poor range would be even worse flying off a carrier. A naval variant would be much heavier and beefier, and given that the F-5 only has about a 100 mile combat radius, it's really kinda useless as an air defense fighter for a carrier given most AShMs had a range of at least that long.The F5 as a carrier aircraft? I've wondered about that for a while, and thought it would have been ideal - no need for anything to fold. The one feature I've never liked was the twin M139 canons could they be replaced with Aden/Defa and moved to the underside of the fuselage? Reading above that they would be compatible with the remaining escort carrier, they would be ideal for the Colossus, Majestic and even Centaur carriers?
How about a Hawker P.1121 version fitted with American radar (say similar to F-4) plus AIM-7 & AIM-9?
July 27, 1958
Washington, DC, USA
Argentina agrees to buy ex-Leyte for scrap value and have her refitted at the New York Naval Shipyard and brought up to the same SCB-27C/125A standard as Oriskany and Lake Champlain. To facilitate the transfer, the US Navy officially evaluates the scrap value of Leyte to be one dollar. Following her overhaul, Leyte is to be commissioned into the Argentine Navy as ARA Independencia.
In order for the deal to become official, it still requires the formal approval of Congress. In order to secure that approval, Argentina agrees to abide by certain conditions regarding the operation of the carrier. In particular, they were required to agree not use the carrier in any operations against American allies without the express permission of the United States. Failure to abide by that restriction will result in the supply of spare parts for the carrier and her aircraft being cut off.
Yikes, I hope Australia reaches out to the Commonwealth or ADC for some reinforcements.August 2, 1958
Jakarta, Java, Indonesia
The first flight of four TU-16s land at Iswahyudi Airbase. The bombers are flown by Soviet training officers who will remain in Indonesia for the next year training the Indonesian flight crews. The Badger strategic bombers provide a marked increase in capability over Indonesia's current fleet of Beagle light bombers. Indonesia has 28 Badgers on order, twelve land attack bombers, twelve anti-ship bombers equipped to launch anti-ship missiles and four unarmed trainers. The four aircraft that just landed are the trainers. The remaining bombers will arrive over the next six months.
The flight of bombers also serve as navigators for the first MiG-19s sold to Indonesia with each bomber "escorting" four fighters. Indonesia plans to have one squadron of MiG-19s and one squadron of TU-16s operational by May, 1959.
Oh yeah. The SCB-27 and -125 programs were not cheapJuly 27, 1958
Washington, DC, USA
Argentina agrees to buy ex-Leyte for scrap value and have her refitted at the New York Naval Shipyard and brought up to the same SCB-27C/125A standard as Oriskany and Lake Champlain. To facilitate the transfer, the US Navy officially evaluates the scrap value of Leyte to be one dollar. Following her overhaul, Leyte is to be commissioned into the Argentine Navy as ARA Independencia.
In order for the deal to become official, it still requires the formal approval of Congress. In order to secure that approval, Argentina agrees to abide by certain conditions regarding the operation of the carrier. In particular, they were required to agree not use the carrier in any operations against American allies without the express permission of the United States. Failure to abide by that restriction will result in the supply of spare parts for the carrier and her aircraft being cut off.
1 dollar plus a couple of millions to refit i assume.
And if Conqueror sinks her too it'll make the loss of Belgrano look like a joke.The Argentine purchase of a Essex would have made the Falklands Conflict an interesting proposition for the RN, unless US intervention would have prevented its use. Although what would its airgroup have been, would they have had longer legs than as historical.
The Argentine purchase of a Essex would have made the Falklands Conflict an interesting proposition for the RN, unless US intervention would have prevented its use. Although what would its airgroup have been, would they have had longer legs than as historical.
July 27, 1958
Washington, DC, USA
Argentina agrees to buy ex-Leyte for scrap value and have her refitted at the New York Naval Shipyard and brought up to the same SCB-27C/125A standard as Oriskany and Lake Champlain. To facilitate the transfer, the US Navy officially evaluates the scrap value of Leyte to be one dollar. Following her overhaul, Leyte is to be commissioned into the Argentine Navy as ARA Independencia.
In order for the deal to become official, it still requires the formal approval of Congress. In order to secure that approval, Argentina agrees to abide by certain conditions regarding the operation of the carrier. In particular, they were required to agree not use the carrier in any operations against American allies without the express permission of the United States. Failure to abide by that restriction will result in the supply of spare parts for the carrier and her aircraft being cut off.
As I understand it, that's a fairly standard clause in military sales contracts. It's a way for the selling country to maintain some control over the use of the asset.July 27, 1958
Washington, DC, USA
Argentina agrees to buy ex-Leyte for scrap value and have her refitted at the New York Naval Shipyard and brought up to the same SCB-27C/125A standard as Oriskany and Lake Champlain. To facilitate the transfer, the US Navy officially evaluates the scrap value of Leyte to be one dollar. Following her overhaul, Leyte is to be commissioned into the Argentine Navy as ARA Independencia.
In order for the deal to become official, it still requires the formal approval of Congress. In order to secure that approval, Argentina agrees to abide by certain conditions regarding the operation of the carrier. In particular, they were required to agree not use the carrier in any operations against American allies without the express permission of the United States. Failure to abide by that restriction will result in the supply of spare parts for the carrier and her aircraft being cut off.
Scratching my head... What's the point of that clause, really ? I really can't see any foe of Argentina being also an ally of America. Chile maybe ?
Common, Argentina don't need a carrier to wadge a war again them, even for the Beagle islands...
Lol. I got it now. In my defense, I hadn't had any coffee yet when I responded.It was a very lame and pathetic joke, related to GB and the Falklands (runs for cover)
So any developments on the bomber requirement(s)?July 4, 1958
Canberra, Australia Capital Territory, Australia
While the two men had initially discussed combining both services fighter and bomber programs together, the decision had ultimately been made to only combine the fighter programs, as the requirements for each respective service's attack aircraft were far too different to make a combined program work to everyone's satisfaction. In the morning, a revised Fighter Specification would be issued along with enquires to the various manufacturers as to their aircraft's suitability to carrier operations.
The Vulcan and B-47 have been eliminated while the TSR-2 and the two proposed future F-111 designs from Boeing and General Dynamics have been told that, while they are not officially eliminated, there is a less than 5% chance of them being selected.So any developments on the bomber requirement(s)?July 4, 1958
Canberra, Australia Capital Territory, Australia
While the two men had initially discussed combining both services fighter and bomber programs together, the decision had ultimately been made to only combine the fighter programs, as the requirements for each respective service's attack aircraft were far too different to make a combined program work to everyone's satisfaction. In the morning, a revised Fighter Specification would be issued along with enquires to the various manufacturers as to their aircraft's suitability to carrier operations.
The Vulcan and B-47 have been eliminated while the TSR-2 and the two proposed future F-111 designs from Boeing and General Dynamics have been told that, while they are not officially eliminated, there is a less than 5% chance of them being selected.So any developments on the bomber requirement(s)?July 4, 1958
Canberra, Australia Capital Territory, Australia
While the two men had initially discussed combining both services fighter and bomber programs together, the decision had ultimately been made to only combine the fighter programs, as the requirements for each respective service's attack aircraft were far too different to make a combined program work to everyone's satisfaction. In the morning, a revised Fighter Specification would be issued along with enquires to the various manufacturers as to their aircraft's suitability to carrier operations.