delcyros
Tech Sergeant
...is probably the TBM Avenger with it´s combat record. The Swordfish isn´t much behind either.
But what about the Aichi B7?
But what about the Aichi B7?
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B7? Anyway I don't know any WWII carrier torpedo or dive bomber that did well against concentrated fighter opposition. Think about the TBF's initiation to combat flying from Midway during that battle, 5 of 6 lost the other riddled. SBD's also had their bad moments (especially in USAAF service as A-24) against Japanese fighters though it was generally able to avoid heavy fighter opposition in the key battles of 1942. OTOH the Japanese attack planes usually got away with reasonable losses during the 1941-2 action, though not always, it depended on the supporting and opposing fighters.I would imagine that the Japanese attack aircraft did not do so well. If memory serves, wasn't the B7 shot to crud at the Marianna's Turkey Shoot?
To me it's definitely the Fieseler Fi 167 (although it was never used operationally). All the more surprising as the Germans hardly had experience in building carrier aircraft.
Kris
SBD's also had their bad moments (especially in USAAF service as A-24)
On the divebomber side the SBD had its great moment at Midway, and was pretty effective in general in 1942, but the Japanese Type 99 (D3A, Val) units came up with some amazingly small CEP's in combat in 1942, beyond what the US divebombers achieved.
To me it's definitely the Fieseler Fi 167 (although it was never used operationally). All the more surprising as the Germans hardly had experience in building carrier aircraft.
Kris
Overall for props it has to be the A1 however if it is restricted to WW2 then I would go with the SBD for its combat record. You could also in a way count the Corsair as an attack aircraft although it is more a fighter bomber.
1. They were flown by "green aircrews", and didnt have self sealing tanks. And then they were flown in some very harsh terrain, all without logistical support.
2. And what about Coral Sea, Guadalacanal (several battles actually), Rabaul, Truk, Gilbert islands, Marshall Islands and Mariana's.
I believe the Fi 167 was the best carrier borne torpedobomber of the early war years. This is not because of its performance which was good for the time but not spectacular. It could carry a torpedo or a single 1000kg bomb! No other torpedo bomber could carry such a bomb.
But why I really like the Fi 167 is because I think it was the best carrier borne aircraft ever. It had excellent handling capabilities and spectacular slow-speed capabilities: Fieseler himself descended from 9,800 ft. to 100 ft. while remaining stationary over one spot while retaining full control.
When I look at performance alone, I would look at the Ju 87E as it could perform as a torpedobomber and as a dive bomber. No other single engined aircraft could carry the load of the Stuka and deliver it with such precision as the Stuka.
Kris