Biggest 20 year jump in airpower capability.
 

I was mulling this over today with someone.

Which any single/rolling 20 year period saw the greatest jump in airpower capability? I suggested 1936-56, simply because of Grapple and WW2 expediting development. I defer to more insightful minds though.

1885-1905!

I was having a discussion a few days ago in a similar vein; prompted by the autobiography "From Fury to Phantom" by Group Captain Dickie Haine. He first flew in an Avro of Cobham Flying Circus and soloed on a Gipsy Moth.

His first posting was to Hawker Furies in the mid-thirties and he took part in the last Hendon airshow after converting to Gladiators. He flew the Blenheim, the Defiant, the Beaufighter and the Mosquito during the war and finished his career in 1970, flying the Phantom. In all he qualified on 94 different types and flew 18 others.

Someone joining the squadron on the day of his retirement could have flown Phantoms, then Tornadoes and retired 35 years later.

Any in the 30s - 50s block is going to be impressive in terms of development.

In terms of fighters '39 to '59 in particular, seeing as '59 saw the introduction, into service, of the EE Lightning.

I think I could narrow it down a bit. Even a single day.

6 August 1945. From that day on, the ability to destroy a city with a single bomb(er) existed. For some, anyway.

Of course since then, the strategies and tactics have been evolving to either get that bomber before he gets you, or get that bomber through, depending on perspective.

However, that which only the year before took 1000 bombers to do, could then be done with one.

And today of course, no manned aircraft at all. Perhaps the first viable ICBM was the most significant event.

Roadster

And now you don't even need a single bomber !!!


Thinking laterally, since Roadster brought in bombs,
I'll add missiles and tactics as part of the airpower.

1960's to early 1980's, whichever 20 year block you like.
I'd probably go to the later end, 65 - 85 or 69 - 89.

A lot of the good fast jets, missiles, new bombs as well as tactics
had been almost perfected by the end of the 80's having
had a few wars to work out what worked and what didn't
- Vietnam, Falklands, wars involving Israel with US equipment,
Gulf of Sidra Incidents and a few others).

And the first gulf war was the testing ground that proved it
all worked.

That is just my HO.

...when you say "jump"...which way did you mean?

1922-1942 is worth thinking about.

Naval aviation was very rudimentary in 1922, and it was the year the first USN carrier was comissioned. In 1942 the Battle of Midway took place. The two fleets were never within gunfire range - the entire battle was fought by embarked aircraft.