RFC Vs RNAS....who would win?

[stevedrew]

Who would win in an air battle with the RNAS Vs the RFC? I suggest the RNAS would win hands down due to the high percentage of colonials who were high scorers..(Little, Collishaw and Black Flight etc) and the fact they generally equipped with superior aircraft from the Sopwith factory while the poor RFC had to settle with Fe's , BE's, Brisfits and the like. Any thoughts Forumites?

[Vigilant]

The RFC would win hands down because they out-numbered the RNAS at least 3:1 (even if lots of them were 'just' British)!

Vigilant

PS - interesting to read that a third of the Canadian Corps were actually _born_ in Britain. I imagine the proportion of first generation Canadians was even higher.

My guess is RNAS because of the tradition and "best of everything for the Royal Navy".

I didn't think the F2B Bristol Fighter was all that bad... last I checked it was probably one of the best 2 seaters of the war. It didn't get classified as obsolescent until around 1932! I don't believe the Camel , or even the Snipe made it that far... kinda makes you think. wasn't it Seversky who said that numbers would always be able to prevail over quality? sounds like a Russian axiom, doesn't it?
Jarrod

[Vin]

Vigilant

If you ever saw the film “The adventures of Barry McKenzie” you would recall the scene where Barry is being questioned by Police when discovered with a mob of Pakistanis in a Van. One of them asks Barry

“Born in this country, were you, Sah ?”

to which Barry replies

“You’ve got to be kidding !”

That line really amused the blokes in the cricket club. They used to come up to me and say it all the time.

How things changed in 60 years, eh


Vin

Three-to-one odds didn't keep the Germans from "givig better than they got". So, the RFC may prevail in this little game, but not "win hands down".
Of course, they didn't have the Fokker D.VII, either . . .

A way maybe possible to "settle" this question. A board game, Dawn Patrol, could be used to simulate a possible combat. My question to all of you what would be a good match up. What aircraft for RFC, what for RNAS, what time period, who would be pilots (historical are okay, Dawn Patrol has experienced pilot rules), what starting altitude. I play with group in Indianapolis, Ind. USA and we may be able to acutally "test" who would win. Anyone up to the challenge?
I would gladly post the results of the this contest.

Suggest using Apr-May 1917 time-frame, with RNAS side using Triplanes, RFC using SE-5's (not 5A'a), and BOTH sides using Pups and the early form of the Camel.

Who gets the Nieuport 17s ?

Interesting, choice of planes, what about pilots, suggestions? The game can simulate experienced pilots. My suggestion for RFC pilot would be Albert Ball. What about Naval pilots?