The escort fighter was a World War II concept for a fighter aircraft designed to escort bombers to and from their targets.
The perfect escort fighter had long range, a lengthy combat loiter time to protect the bombers, and enough internal fuel to return home. In order to carry sufficient fuel load, a number of twin-engined heavy fighters were designed for escort duties during the pre–World War II period. Such heavy fighters largely failed in their intended escort role during the war, as they could not outmaneuver the more conventional, single-engined fighters. As the war progressed, improvements in fighter designs, as well as the use of drop tanks, allowed single-engined fighters to perform escort duties.
Read more about Escort Fighter: Use in The Luftwaffe, U.S. Army Air Corps Operations, Cold War, Modern Era
Famous quotes containing the words escort and/or fighter:
“When you escort someone, escort him all the way to his destination; if you help someone, help him thoroughly.”
—Chinese proverb.
“A pleasant smell of frying sausages
Attacks the sense, along with an old, mostly invisible
Photograph of what seems to be girls lounging around
An old fighter bomber, circa 1942 vintage.”
—John Ashbery (b. 1927)