Best Pre 1942 Carrier Torpedo Bomber

Bernhart · Apr 9, 2007

Don't forget they used the swordfish in 1944 against the german e-boats with a fair amount of sucess too.

syscom3 · Apr 9, 2007

I also think the Swordfish would have been at an even worse situation as compared to the Devestator when it came to attacking IJN carrier task forces.

It simply didnt have the speed to get in close enough to launch its torpedo.

trackend · Apr 9, 2007

I agree SYS 3 it was a real old bus and totally out of date by 1939 when up against any real aircover the Stringbag got shot to bits (re the channel dash)

Udet · Apr 9, 2007

Being pretty much an eurocentric is that i want to make a question regarding the planes of the Navy in the PTO:

Did all their planes carry their torpedoes internally? That seems like a very interesting feature; it would seem to me that particular caracteristic greatly improved the performance of the plane while flying loaded with a torpedo.

syscom3 · Apr 9, 2007

Udet said:
Being pretty much an eurocentric is that i want to make a question regarding the planes of the Navy in the PTO:

Did all their planes carry their torpedoes internally? That seems like a very interesting feature; it would seem to me that particular caracteristic greatly improved the performance of the plane while flying loaded with a torpedo.

I know the Avenger carried its torpedo internally for just that reason.

I will have to check the IJN designs.

But, prior to 1942, all torpedo bombers carried its payload externally.

syscom3 · Apr 9, 2007

Heres some info on the IJN aerial torpedo's.

Type 91
Mod 1 17.7" diameter, 17' 4" length, 1728 lbs. weight, 331 lbs. warhead. 2000m @ 41 kts 260 kts. An older torpedo that was still being used in some land-based JNAF torpedo-bomber squadrons at the beginning of the war, including some of the units ('Nells') which attacked and sank Repulse and the Prince of Wales.

Type 91
Mod 2 17.7" diameter, 18' 0" length, 1841 lbs. weight, 452 lbs. warhead. 2000m @ 41 kts 260 kts. First deployed in April, 1941. Carried by the 'Kate' torpedo bombers which attacked Pearl Harbor.

Type 91
Mod 3 17.7" diameter, 17' 4" length, 1872 lbs. weight, 529 lbs. warhead. 2000m @ 41 kts 260 kts. First deployed in mid- to late-1942.

Udet · Apr 9, 2007

Very interesting syscom. Thanks.

So the avenger was the only torpedo bomber used by the Navy?

FLYBOYJ · Apr 9, 2007

trackend said:
I disagree with you Joe on the Kate being more successful than the Stringbag.

Actually I said the opposite...

plan_D · Apr 9, 2007

If we're solely comparing the Swordfish Mk.I to the B5N2 and disregarding everything but the torpedo-bomber role, then the B5N2 is quite extensively superior to the Swordfish.

The Swordfish was not completely fabric covered; the front sections were metal and the lower wings on the Mk.II were also metal. The survivability on both types was poor if any enemy aircraft were about.

All the torpedo bombers were painfully slow when carrying their torpedo, especially when going in for the bomb run. The Swordfish was the more stable of them all when doing the low speed run required to drop the torpedo.

I'm not saying the Swordfish is the best but it can't be written off instantly because looks older than the rest.

syscom3 · Apr 9, 2007

Udet said:
Very interesting syscom. Thanks.

So the avenger was the only torpedo bomber used by the Navy?

The TBD devestator was used through the battle of Midway and then quickly retired.

The TBF Avenger made its debut at Midway in a limited role (it was based on the island, not the carriers).

Those are the only two USN torpedo bombers I know of.

syscom3 · Apr 9, 2007

plan_D said:
If we're solely comparing the Swordfish Mk.I to the B5N2 and disregarding everything but the torpedo-bomber role, then the B5N2 is quite extensively superior to the Swordfish.

The Swordfish was not completely fabric covered; the front sections were metal and the lower wings on the Mk.II were also metal. The survivability on both types was poor if any enemy aircraft were about.

All the torpedo bombers were painfully slow when carrying their torpedo, especially when going in for the bomb run. The Swordfish was the more stable of them all when doing the low speed run required to drop the torpedo.

I'm not saying the Swordfish is the best but it can't be written off instantly because looks older than the rest.

This is striclty for the torpedo role, through the middle of 1942, when the Avenger began to be deployed.

Ultimatly, the aircraft must be able to carry its torpedo at a fast enough rate to keep up with the carriers fighters and dive bombers, as well as out to a good range.

trackend · Apr 10, 2007

FLYBOYJ said:
Actually I said the opposite...

Sorry Joe, still you're used to me making the odd **** up

FLYBOYJ · Apr 10, 2007

trackend said:
Sorry Joe, still you're used to me making the odd **** up

DerAdlerIstGelandet · Apr 10, 2007

plan_D said:
I'm not saying the Swordfish is the best but it can't be written off instantly because looks older than the rest.

I agree, I am certainly not trying to take away anything from the Swordfish. It was a great aircraft and performed with distinction throughout the war but when compared to more modern Torp Bombers such as the Kate and eventually the Avenger it was outdated and outclassed due to its design.

trackend · Apr 10, 2007

I totally agree Adler

Soundbreaker Welch? · Apr 12, 2007

Gave my vote to the Swordfish, on acount of the huge Bismarck getting horribly burned and drowned by this plane's torpedos.

Sunk to Davy Jones.

syscom3 · Apr 12, 2007

Soundbreaker Welch? said:
Gave my vote to the Swordfish, on acount of the huge Bismarck getting horribly burned and drowned by this plane's torpedos.

Sunk to Davy Jones.

Only one torpedo hit the Bismark that did any damage.

But look at the scores of warships the Kate as responsible for (in part or whole).

Lucky13 · Apr 20, 2007

Kate, hands down I'm afraid.

Best Pre 1942 Carrier Torpedo Bomber

Which of the following was the best carrier based torpedo bomber prior to 1942

Nakajima B5N "Kate"

TBD Devastator

Fairey Swordfish

Fieseler Fi 167

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