wrote:

David Windhorst wrote:

At what point did the USN decide they preferred twin-engined a/c?
What's the evolution of that philosophy? Did it come out of the
sometimes questionable reliability of early turbine powerplants? Before
the advent of jets, was there ever any similar preference expressed for
piston twins?

Good questions. The RCAF seems to prefer twin-engined fighters too.

Anyone?

Since you open it to "anyone" I will point out that the RCAF was
disbanded on 1 February 1968 -- IT CEASED TO EXIST. Please see the
National Defence Act as amended by the Canadian Forces Reorganization
Act, especially Section 14.
http://laws.justice.gc.ca/en/N-5/83413.html#section-14

The money-bag from which Canada buys its aircraft takes into account
many needs, one of which is survival over vast expanses of terrain
with small populations. Two engines would seem to be the ticket. This
significantly reduces the time that the land force spends traipsing
across the tundra looking for lost airmen.
--
Andrew Chaplin
SIT MIHI GLADIUS SICUT SANCTO MARTINO
(If you're going to e-mail me, you'll have to get "yourfinger." out.)