Quote:
Originally Posted by copeab
Variants
The A-37B replaces the two 37mm guns with four 20mm M-4's (20mm Medium Aircraft AC) with 100 rounds each. This version was often used to intercept Germany's new heavy bombers.
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Nice speculative concept. I'd question the choice as to weaponry and ammunition when it comes to hunting heavy bombers. The Germans, who did hunt heavy bombers, liked 30mm guns and thought 20mm was too small a caliber to down a 4-engined mammoth quickly and safely.
Now, a good reason to choose a smaller caliber is ammunition, but, again using the Germans as guide, their late-war fighters tended to have some 200 rounds per 20mm gun and some 100 per 30mm gun. All in all, both versions of this aircraft don't carry a lot of ammo for heavy bomber killing, but the one with 37mm guns seems better off than the other, taking caliber effectiveness into account.
The quick way to go, which I'd humbly suggest, is to use the two hardpoints in interception missions when the presence of enemy escort fighters is not likely. Instead of bombs, you carry two sets of 127mm rockets and carry out the first run against the enemy bomber formation on shotgun principles. Then you become faster and more agile and you can make a second pass with the 37s.
The first attack with rockets makes up for the shortage of heavy ammo.