Quote:
the main problem in setting a production line is engine availability.
For LCVPs there is no problem but MTBs are relatively complex pieces of engineering.



From someone who helped restore a Higgins PT boat at our Military college back in the 80's. The boat itself is not complex and if you can get the engines as a package to drop in from Packard then its even easier. Russia had several hundred engines shipped to them this way so I can't see why it would be an issue for the MN.

I keep forgetting about the PC's and SC's as I have North Atlantic stuck in my head for convoys and most of yours will either be south/north or equator ones.

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It is not possible to get more ships manned. This is the main issue.
Never forget that procuring US ships and crafts is just one side of the coin.

the main difference with OTL is that we still have a lot of the "initial" French Navy (no scuttling in Toulon). Even if losses have been high, there is still a lot of ships and they are consuming a lot of manpower.




Ya I was thinking about that when I had wrote it. Had a conversation with some Professor's a week ago actually and one pointed out that there would be a a small but vocal group in the US government suggesting that as well. Also questioning why the MN would be trying to keep her larger assets ( BB's, BC's, CV's in play ). He is right but we all came to the conclusion that the MN would have to just to "stay in the game", as it were.

Russ / Roller007