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Me too. Give the Helldiver folding wings (presumably from the Curtiss Seagull shown folded below) and we have a candidate for the FAA instead of the shockingly slow Skua. And one that can carry double the bombload (if a 1,000 lb AP bomb can be found for the FAA).That said though, I have always liked the SBC, with its enclosed greenhouse and retractable wheels marriede to its biplane layout. As such, it kind of has a "retro-future" look and feel to it for me
I don't think the RN had anything larger than a 500 lb AP bomb. And this would have to be centreline mounted, so the Albacore is limited. Could it dive at sharp angles?The Albacore could carry the most due to needing to haul a torpedo.
Yes it could. Both it and the Swordfish had to be capable of diving steeply because that was part and parcel of the RN torpedo attack technique. Replace the torpedo with bombs and they could serve as dive bombers. The Albacore could even use its flaps as dive brakes if needed.I don't think the RN had anothing larger than a 500 lb bomb. And this would have to be centreline mounted, so the Albacore is limited. Could it dive at sharp angles?
Hi,Me too. Give the Helldiver folding wings (presumably from the Curtiss Seagull shown folded below) and we have a candidate for the FAA instead of the shockingly slow Skua. And one that can carry double the bombload (if a 1,000 lb AP bomb can be found for the FAA).
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But everyone knew it as Nancy.By the way, the Aichi D1A is a Heinkel He50 that was designed for the IJN and sold as an He66.
But everyone knew it as Nancy.
Did the Albacore have a cradle to swing the bomb free of the propeller arc? That and divebrakes and a good bomb load are the starting points of any good dive bomber.The Albacore was trialed during development and the dive angle limit was determined to be 60° when dropping centerline ordnance
So in other words... only good for attacking lightly to non armored/protected targets.Dive brakes - tick (it used its flaps if necessary)
Bomb load - 2,000lb
Cradle - who needs it when the designed bomb load (4x500lb or 6x250lb) was carried under the wings!
Don't forget its dive bomber role in the 1930s was tearing up unarmoured Carrier flight decks and damaging ships' AA and upperworks o allow the TB to do the real damage.
As an Albacore did (as did the Swordfish, albeit with a smaller bomb load). Not only onto ships but on specific ground targets as in France and North Africa.Dive bombing includes releasing the weapon while still in a steep dive.