Vassili Zaitzev
Master Sergeant
Ok, after reading other topics of "the greatest WW2 plane" I made this and narrowed it down to dive bomber. Your pick on best dive bomber can be from any front in WW2.
Best dive bomber?
- Thread starter Vassili Zaitzev
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FLYBOYJ
"THE GREAT GAZOO"
Stuka/ SBD
Twitch
Staff Sergeant
Yeah Stuka, for its impact on history not for any performance factor.
FLYBOYJ
"THE GREAT GAZOO"
Twitch said:
Agree - I think te SBD was a better aircraft but the Stuka had a far greater impact, especially in first part of the war...
That it did. Stuka and SBD for me.
- Thread starter
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Vassili Zaitzev
Master Sergeant
While i go with the SBD for its performance in the battle of midway, the stuka did make a impact on history like you guys said. I've watched war documentaries on poland and France and everyone of them has a stuka diving out of the sky with the siren blaring. the sbd gets my vote because it could hold its own and wasn't phased out until the helldiver cam into play.
Sal Monella
Airman 1st Class
Well, if the A-36 is being offered, then I want an honorable mention to go to the P-47 which was used as a dive bomber as well.
Henk
Master Sergeant
Stuka by far. The impact the Stuka made not only damage, but the sociological damage it did on the enemy troops with its siron.
Henk
Henk
Glider
Captain
Yokosuka D4Y Judy. I believe that it outperforms all the other divebombers. It didn't get a chance to prove itself in its designed role but for me its the best.
Wildcat
Major
May not be the best, but the Vultee Vengeance should rate a mention. One of my favourites too.
pbfoot
1st Lieutenant
I gotta agree with the Judy
Well I think it is either the Dauntless or the Stuka. The Dauntless was a better overall aircraft but I think the Stuka was a better dive bomber. However the Stuka was only effective after 1940 if it had sufficient air cover. The reason I like the Stuka though is the terror effect it would produce. Can you imagine what it must have felt like to be in your fighting position and here the screaming of the Stuka diving down on you. Damn that would suck.
FLYBOYJ
"THE GREAT GAZOO"
Agree!DerAdlerIstGelandet said:
Glider
Captain
Hate to disagree but if a plane was only effective until the end of 1940 then it cannot be the best of the war.
The Dauntless was a better plane but was past its best and as we know replaced by the Helldiver which was probably the most disappointing US aircraft to enter widespread service.
Compared to the Dauntless the Judy was about 100mph faster with a longer range, which gives it the edge in my book. Had the carriers been eqipped with this plane in numbers the USN would have had a tough time catching it.
The Dauntless was a better plane but was past its best and as we know replaced by the Helldiver which was probably the most disappointing US aircraft to enter widespread service.
Compared to the Dauntless the Judy was about 100mph faster with a longer range, which gives it the edge in my book. Had the carriers been eqipped with this plane in numbers the USN would have had a tough time catching it.
I said it was only effective if it had sufficient air cover. It had that air cover for well into 1944. It just could not be sent out on its own with fighter escort.
Glider
Captain
I think that could be said of almost any attack plane, with the obvious exception all bombers needed escort from around 1942 onwards if they were to operate in any numbers. Small specialist raids could still be undertaken at considerable risk.
Almost any but not all. I still go with the Dauntless and the Stuka.
loomaluftwaffe
Tech Sergeant
- 1,840
- Dec 20, 2005
stuka and judy for me,dive bombers really need air cover
SBD Dauntless. It usually got by fine without cover. Lowest loss ratio of any U.S. Navy carrrier-born aircraft of the war. A decent fighter without bombs, capable of very abrupt speed and direction changes (those large perforated flaps). Later versions well armed. SBD- Slow But Deadly.
