Republic of Texas

[Blackbuck]

I'd imagine seaplanes and float-planes to be of use in the Caribbean and possibly Gulf. You could always go along the route of acquiring some seaplane tenders or combined seaplane tender / cruiser hybrids? Building up the operational knowledge base in retrospect could have been started in the early years of naval aviation as after-all lots of nations experimented with the new ideas at the time.

~Mark.

[Naixoterk]

@Naixoterk - I'm not sure what to do with the Spanish Civil War. When I read about it and try to pick a side, my head hurts.

I think that the government would allow volunteers to enlist in any side they wanted. That way there would be Texan units in both Nationalist and Republican sides.
I also think that Oliver Law could command a battalion inside the international brigades...

[Flashquick]

Texas would probably have a merchant navy, maybe a liner or two running to Cuba and Europe or South America, a small fleet of banana boats, and a significant number of tankers exporting crude oil. This could open up some interesting conversion possibilities as WW2 begins.

[Redhorse]

In 1937, the Texas Air Force changed its air training curriculum to differentiate between basic and advanced air training, and purchased new aircraft for that purpose.

1st Training Squadron took delivery of Stearman 75s, bearing the Air Force designation T-3 for basic air training. They replaced the older consolidated T-2s.

[emperor_andreas]

Nice!

[Redhorse]

20th Training Squadron accepted delivery of the North American NA-19s, and with obselete bombers converted to the training mission were responsible for the advanced flight training syllabus.

[emperor_andreas]

Nice!

[Redhorse]

1938 - The Texas Air Force replaces the Consolidated O-3 with the Piper O-5 in Army Observer Squadrons.



The Piper was much different from earlier observer aircraft. They weren't armed (previous aircraft had a machine gun on a ring mount for the observer) and were much smaller. They were cheaper, too and less expensive to operate. The observer had a decent view from the rear seat without having to hang over the side of the aircraft. Sitting in the enclosed cockpit reduced fatigue from wind buffet.

The Army was very pleased with the O-5, and it would remain in service much longer than expected. The airframe would even be adapted for aerial medical evacuation during WWII.

Observer Squadrons were known to paint their supported Army unit's insignia on their aircraft for low-level recognition. Shown on this example is the 1st Division's patch, just behind the national insignia. It was also incorporated into the 11th's official squadron insignia.

[emperor_andreas]

Nice work!

[Charwhick]

I'm beginning to think Emperor Andreas has a bot replying to this thread

On that note however I would certainly second the motion; it's astounding how you produce so much high quality work.