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Perhaps the Dauntless could be a good answer to keep the DB capability and would be small enough to be fitted in the smaller british carriers.
EDIT: It is kinda weird that the british didn't field the Dauntless given that they used many others USA carrier planes.
The SBD did not have folding wings, therefore was not flown from USN CVEs either. Once Avengers became available to the RN, with their folding wings, glide bombing and torpedo carrying capacity and the ability to operate off the short decked CVEs, the British torpedo types were relegated to secondary roles.
I thought Stringbags were only operating from Merchant Aircraft Carriers by 1945.
The prototype was built by John Brown who supplied the other two companies with copies of the plans. The three ships were supposed to be identical but in reality they were all slightly different.
the British torpedo types were relegated to secondary roles.
-I could be wrong but seem to recall that SBDs were carried aboard the Sangamon Class CVEs.The SBD did not have folding wings, therefore was not flown from USN CVEs either. Once Avengers became available to the RN, with their folding wings, glide bombing and torpedo carrying capacity and the ability to operate off the short decked CVEs, the British torpedo types were relegated to secondary roles.
In the last year of the war, Nairana sailed as escort to Arctic convoys and Swordfish, Sea Hurricanes, Martlets and Fulmar night fighters equipped with AI radar equipped her decks.
Start at 6:16 and watch first the Seafire land and fold, and then the Tarpon (Avenger). It's impressive to watch the latter land, fold its own wings and roll forward. Meanwhile the Seafire needs a half dozen men to get put away.Once Avengers became available to the RN, with their folding wings, glide bombing and torpedo carrying capacity and the ability to operate off the short decked CVEs, the British torpedo types were relegated to secondary roles.
-I could be wrong but seem to recall that SBDs were carried aboard the Sangamon Class CVEs.
different types of aircraft in a single CVE at the same time? 2 of them for the same role?
Nairana's bell at the FAA Museum at Yeovilton.
View attachment 595982HMS Nairana Bell
In the last year of the war, Nairana sailed as escort to Arctic convoys and Swordfish, Sea Hurricanes, Martlets and Fulmar night fighters equipped with AI radar equipped her decks.
It's worth noting that following the introduction of the Albacore and Barracuda, the Swordfish served primarily as an anti-submarine aircraft from these escort carriers until the end of the war, hardly a secondary role.
You are correct, but there were only four ships in that class. They were the largest CVEs built and the only ones to carry dive bombers. I should have included the word "most" in my previous post. My apology for the confusion.-I could be wrong but seem to recall that SBDs were carried aboard the Sangamon Class CVEs.
There were approximately 61 CVEs in service with the RN during WW2. The use of Swordfish on three of these as anti-submarine aircraft until VE Day does not seem like a primary role at that stage of the war to me. This does not detract from their accomplishments earlier in the war, when Avengers were not even in production yet, which were substantial and quite amazing.
The use of Swordfish on three of these as anti-submarine aircraft until VE Day does not seem like a primary role at that stage of the war to me.
Many of the 58, non Nairana class CVE,s were MAC ships and also operated Swordfish until VE day. ASW was a dangerous, vital, and very front line service.
-Weren't the Commencement Bay class about the same size? I realize that few of that class entered service before the end of the war but were their air groups going to contain SBDs or had the SBDs been withdrawn from service by that time?You are correct, but there were only four ships in that class. They were the largest CVEs built and the only ones to carry dive bombers. I should have included the word "most" in my previous post. My apology for the confusion.
I know British CVEs carried Hellcats. Here's HMS Pursuer (D73) retrieving her Hellcats, recently transferred from another CVE, HMS Attacker (D02). No idea on bombs or rockets though.Did any of the CVEs carry F6F Hellcats? If so, and if they could launch carrying a decent bomb/rocket load, there probably wouldn't be a need for SBDs. -Corsair on a CVE???
It's missed the wire and is crashing into the barrier. The above link gives some info. 898 Naval Air SquadronThat Hellcat looks like it has all the arrestor wires wrapped round it's undercarriage. I wonder what happened there possibly it landed short of the wires
I'd guess that the Swordfish killed more submarines than any other aircraft. With the ability to operate in all weathers, to fly slowly to observe targets, and with a good bomb load it's ideal for the job.Many of the 58, non Nairana class CVE,s were MAC ships and also operated Swordfish until VE day. ASW was a dangerous, vital, and very front line service.