The USA then developed the B36, 47, 58 and the ultimate weapon the B52 whereas we developed the V-bombers which were medium bombers and much more capable than the B36 and B47. So like for like we were evenly matched in building aircraft for a particular mission
All very true PN, but the topic is aircraft blunders, and the V-Bombers weren'
t blunders, but were alo unavailable at the time the Washington's were leased.
Where we did fall behind was in turbo-props such as the Britannia and Belfast and in jets the VC10 v B707 etc.
The Britannia was too late a design to make any impact on the world market where pure jets prevailed, the Belfast : well only ten ever built at huge expense to keep the workers happy. The VC10, again, lovely aircraft but couldn't foot it on cost grounds with the major airlines. The list goes on really; Trident, Vanguard , Herald, all not bad aeroplanes. just not commercial.
Other than the Canberra, Fightener, and Hawk.
The Canberra was the right choice at the time, but had a relatively short service in the RNZAF, 12 years or thereabouts. The B170 served us well, true, but as far as I know the Hawk was never given serious consideration. Crossing the Tasman might have featured!
John Farley. Yes the Canberra was a brilliant design and far superior to anything the Americans could put up at the time, That's one success! The Goshawk is surely a very different aircraft to the Hawk it came from?