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The first real carrier capable bomber (in a traditional sense) might have been the Douglas Skywarrior, with nuclear capacity,
A-3 Skywarrior - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
one of the last designs of the brilliant Ed Heinemann.
I've been reading a lot about the Skyraider recently and was astonished to learn this single engined aircraft that was at home on a carrier as anywhere could carry more than a B-29.
Also, it was the only single engined aircraft with a Nuclear capability.
I would seriously consider classing it as a heavy bomber for this purpose.
Well.....I dunno, seems it carried a lot to me..(BTW sorry, I meant a B-17) skyraider.org/hook/facts.htmlNor can the Skyraider be considered a heavy bomber under any definition.
Seawitch, also consider the range the Skyraider had with max payload, the lack of onboard radio-navigation systems for finding the target, and no defensive weapons.
The Skyraider was one type of aircraft, the B17 was another.
That was the origional plan.
Seawitch, also consider the range the Skyraider had with max payload, the lack of onboard radio-navigation systems for finding the target, and no defensive weapons.
The Skyraider was one type of aircraft, the B17 was another.
The plan was to fly on to land at Chunking. The aircraft had to take off before the planned launch site when the convoy was spotted which is why they did not make Chungking. None were fitted with arrester hooks and if they had returned where would you park them all ?
It was never intended to return to the Hornet and the navigational issues alone were impossible. Several aircraft barely had fuel to reach China or Vladivostok so they would never have had enough fuel to return.