Recent content by RCAFson

Typically, they attacked shipping with torpedoes. However they were accurate when used as DBs against shipping. Shore based Swordfish squadrons from Eagle were used to sink 2 and cripple several more RMI destroyers that were operating in the Red Sea on April 3/4 1941. The Swordfish as DBs were...

The Swordfish also could, and did, carry 1 x 500lb and 1 x 250lb bombs under each wing. The Albacore could carry 2 x 500lb bombs under each wing but in combat typically carried 1 x 500lb and 1 x 250lb, or 3 x 250lb bombs under each wing.

RAAF tests of various intake designs on Spit V/Merlin 46 using 16lb boost: from Australian Archives: Title DTS [Directorate Technical Services] - Spitfire Aircraft - Performance comparison - tropical and non-tropical types Contents date range 1942 - 1944 Series number A705 BWOC here's the RAE...

IIRC, USN BBs engaged surface forces at Casablanca, 2nd Guadalcanal (both Nov 1942) and in 1944 near Truk and at Surigao Straits.

Shores states: "The Avengers and Fireflies were escorted by 16 Hellcats and 16 Corsairs, which engaged Ki 43s of the 71st Chutai, claiming seven of these shot down. The Firefly pilots added two more. Two of the Chutai's pilots were killed, 1/Lt Terabumi Murakani (reportedly whilst undertaking a...

The Hurricane was used as a night fighter and as an intruder night fighter, flying offensive operations over France: https://www.memorialflightclub.com/blog/night-fighter-hurricane-mk-iic-be634

One reason that the Spitfire arrived late in Australia and Burma was the fact that the USAAF in the ETO/MTO had priority for delivery of the Mk V and MkVIII: also see: https://www.key.aero/article/why-does-suffolk-spitfire-boast-usaaf-scheme

You must be thinking of some other Operation Pedestal. The largest single strikes against the Operation Pedestal whilst under FAA protection and under discussion was on 12 Aug 1942: Axis strike sorties on 11 and 12 Aug 1942. Roskill (Shores) 11 Aug 36 (30 JU88 DBs + 6 HE111 TBs) 12 Aug 9:15 =...

It was a Mk V, and IIRC, the same aircraft was used in NACA testing.

There were several Kates shot down by SBDs on CAP at Coral Sea. Lundstrom:

Fortunately for the SBDs the IJN tended not to use a ring formation for carrier escorts as per the USN, so the density of IJN light AA was fairly low in 1942.

A lot depends on the target type and the bomb type. if the SBD is attacking a fleet carrier in 1942, then it will be delivering a 1000lb GP bomb and the release altitude will be a low as possible to ensure a hit and still safely pull out of the dive. OTOH, in 1944 that 1000lb bomb might be AP...

OK, but no 12lb boost.

IIRC, that comparison was against a Hurricane 1 with a 2position VP prop and before 12lb WEP was allowed.

The Hurricane seemed to do OK during the BofB and slaughtered the Me110, on occasion. The Hurricane 1 was at a disadvantage against the 109E at higher altitudes, at lower altitude the Hurricane could more than hold it's own, and when 12lb boost was introduced there was little difference in...