Jane,
Not on your list though might be of interest.
The Halifax had a dive bombing role as part of the original specification as a twin engined bomber. When doing the redesign from twin to four Merlin engines Handley Page were able to have the requirements for dive bombing and torpedo carrying removed, but not the wingspan, which was held onto in order to allow catapult launch. Apparently the catapults were a way of removing the costly peace time activity of enlarging airfields. The catapult idea was later cancelled . While no dive bombing angle was specified, a minute of 20 April 1937 by Group Captain R.D. Oxland, Deputy Director of Operational Requirements, notes: 'The angle of dive requirement may be altered from 70° to 25°.vvThis led to a shorter wing span, and a sturdier airframe, than would otherwise have been built . Even so, the dive angle was about 25 Degrees.
Having said that, the specification did change throughout the life time of the Halifax. The Mk III halifax had a longer wing span.
Last edited by hval; 1st Nov 2011 at 15:28.