Got asked an interesting question today, could a WW2 aircraft design (like a Spitfire) still be of any uses to the military today if you built it using modern manufacture techniques, modern materials, electronics and equipment ect...
So what do you think, I said possible as ground support aircraft but I don't really know?
Like a Jetfire Spitfire with a jet engine = Jetfire :lol:
Planemad
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Given the current technological state of most Air Forces in the world, I would have to say no.
Here's why:
- Too slow
- Can't carry any real payload
- Not enough range
- No redundant systems
- No or very low stealth capabilities
- No refuel capabilities
- Not capable of carrying modern munitions (due to power/weight limitations)
- No modern FCS (Fire Control Systems, again not practical due to weight)
Now while you could modernize some WWII aircraft, it would be completely impractical due to weight restrictions of the older airframes. In order to mount, lets say, the capability to fire sidewinder missiles and drop a bomb or two, you would have to add so much extra equipment that the platform would loose all the abilities that made it such a fine weapons platform during WWII.
S!
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I'd say it rather depends on the aircraft type and the desired further usage.
The Avro Shackleton and Cavalier Mustang / PA-48 Enforcer are representatives of basically WWII airframes modernized and utilized until 80s/90s.
Best regards - Mike
The design could be used for ROVs, but the designs of ROVs are designed for specific speeds and tasks and therefore quite likely to surpass the Spit's design in efficiency.
I guess they would be at best "counter-insurgency" aircrafts... That means, planes that only are effective against an enemy who has no airforce at all.
You brought up some good points {HVY-E}Jinxx, I also had the thought making it out of modern materials would make it lighter which would throw it out of balance. So to fix that you would have balance it back out with weights ext... so your sort of back at square one. Am I right in thinking that?
So looks like answer is no and if any aircraft from WW2 could be modified for modern day uses in any way you could count them on one hand.
well maybe you could modernize a WWII fighter aircraft to make it your personal transportation, and in that case i bet a bomber would be lighter because you would have to take out all the turrets anyways and is made to carry very heavy loads
