HC Deb 03 February 1943 vol 386 cc872-3
13. Mr. Purbrick

asked the Secretary of State for Air in what way the addition of brakes to fighter-bombers, in order to enable them to dive-bomb on suitable occasions, would impair their performance as fighters?

Sir A. Sinclair

The addition of brakes to a fighter-bomber, by adding weight, is bound to detract from the performance of the aircraft as a fighter. I heed hardly remind my hon. Friend that relative performance is vital in air fighting and that even small additions of weight assume great importance in the maintenance of superiority.

Mr. Purbrick

Is it not a fact that the small addition of weight, which is really infinitesimal, would be more than offset by the manoeuvrability which the brakes would give to fighter-bombers?

Mr. Austin Hopkinson

Does the right hon. Gentleman consider it reasonable, suitable and safe to discuss these matters in public?

Sir A. Sinclair

I do not think there is any harm in answering my hon. Friend who put the Question and saying quite definitely that the pilots who fly these aircraft want aircraft of the highest performance they can get, and that is what we are supplying them with and they are using so well at the present time.

Mr. Purbrick

Do not the gallant pilots who want to achieve the highest performance want fighter-bombers which will also dive-bomb?

Sir A. Sinclair

They do not want fighter-bombers made into dive-bombers. They want them to have the highest performance they can get, and that is what we are supplying to them.

14. Mr. Purbrick

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether, in view of the fact that a fighter aeroplane was equipped to enable it also to dive-bomb, and was tested and confirmed by the Air Ministry over 18 months ago to the effect that such equipment did not interfere with its performance as a fighter, he will now further investigate the matter with the object of enabling our fighter-bombers also to dive-bomb under favourable circumstances?

Sir A. Sinclair

From the particulars given neither my right hon. Friend the Minister of Aircraft Production nor I can trace the tests to which my hon. Friend refers. It is, however, clear that the introduction of dive-bombing characteristics into a first-line fighter is bound to involve some sacrifice in the performance of the aircraft in its primary role.

Mr. Purbrick

If I supply my right hon. Friend with particulars, will he look into the matter?

Sir A. Sinclair indicated assent.