1935-45: alternative British bombers

[RCAFson]

I would be very leery of claims of the SBD-1 (or even the SBD-2) taking off with 1600lb bombs. The SPD-3 was in production by the spring/summer of 1941. The SPD-1 and -2 did not have protected fuel tanks, The SPD-3 could be fitted with either protected tanks or unprotected tanks. The 1600lb bomb was not adopted until the fall of 1942 and didn't see service until some time in 1943. Most US carriers didn't keep more than 20 in their magazines, if they had any at all.
The 1942 manual for the SBD-3 calls for 853ft of take off distance with a 1000lb bomb and 100 gallons of fuel in self sealing tanks. With unprotected tanks and the 1000lb bomb and 100 gallons the distance was 701 ft. Weight of the self sealing tanks (or the difference) was 232lbs for the center section fuel tanks, 218lbs for the outer wing fuel tanks, 30 lbs for the oil tank and armor for the crew was 212lbs.

The USN statistical summary indicates that the SBD never dropped a 1600lb AP bomb in anger.

 

[Admiral Beez]

The USN statistical summary indicates that the SBD never dropped a 1600lb AP bomb in anger.

What's the heaviest bomb ever dropped in anger by a single engine WW2 aircraft? Wikipedia says the Grumman TBF could carry a single 2,000 lb. bomb internally. Fairey Barracuda dropped 1,600 lb bombs on Tirpitz.

 

[RCAFson]

What's the heaviest bomb ever dropped in anger by a single engine WW2 aircraft? Wikipedia says the Grumman TBF could carry a single 2,000 lb. bomb internally. Fairey Barracuda dropped 1,600 lb bombs on Tirpitz.

The Stuka dropped 1000kg AP and SAP bombs, probably onto Illustrious, Formidable, Indomitable, and the Soviet Battleship Marat.