The multiple aircraft approach has virtues. There are a lot of aircraft that developed teething problems and failed to make it in combat. Sometimes, it is works out well for both aircraft. The Hellcat and Corvair both were good platforms, but initial testing created an attitude that the Corvair was harder to land on decks. The Navy decided that it was good enough to give to the Marines. They also did the unusual by sending an example of each to the opposing manufacturer for evaluation. Both responded with much improved versions. And the eventual growth of the Corvairs led it to continue use into the Korean war.

There were many bombers that trancended the idea of just build one model. The B-25 was an excellent multipurpose platform, but the B-26 and A-26 were also great platforms. The B-26 suffered from an undeserved reputation, but that is not unusual. The A-26 was classified as a replacement for the A-20, but it was every bit the equal of the B-25 and was effective in four wars.

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Lord, let me be the person my dog thinks I am.