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I'm thinking R2600 for starters. 50 cal in the wing? Starting to sound like a TBM/ TBF
The reason why I'm thinking it's an R-2600 is because of the 2 oil coolers. I looked at a photo of an R-2600, I see similarities.Thanks. That is the current thinking we have as well but I'm also aware of confirmation bias so I'm trying to stress test our theory.
We believe it is a dash-1 version due to the two oil coolers.
I don't think it is, but what if the engine is a R-1830 Twin Wasp (also 14 cylinders) and not a R-2600? By looking at pictures, I think the rows of the pistons on the R-1830 are closer together, but hard to tell.
Was there anything with a R-1830 with a three-bladed prop that would match?
I did forget to mention also that the prop is three blades (as seen in a couple of the photos).
Regards,
- brett
Did some more digging...
The Vought SB2U did have a single .50 in the RIGHT wing, folding wings and a 14 cylinder R-1535
View attachment 666807
The reason why I'm thinking it's an R-2600 is because of the 2 oil coolers. I looked at a photo of an R-2600, I see similarities.
View attachment 666802 View attachment 666803
Then you mention the single .50 cal in the wing - I'm not aware of any other aircraft with a single wing mounted .50.
View attachment 666804
And then the wing "crack"
View attachment 666805 View attachment 666806
Note the small strut on both photos
Let me know your thoughts - this is pretty fascinating!
In the first photo, does this aircraft have a spinner on the prop? If so, it helps limit the possibilities.
Additionally, the guns on a TBM do not protrude from the wing.
They don't but remember, this was a crash and it's possible the gun was pushed forwardIn the first photo, does this aircraft have a spinner on the prop? If so, it helps limit the possibilities.
Additionally, the guns on a TBM do not protrude from the wing.
There's a lot of growth around the prop hub, I don't think there's a spinner on there. The only way to know for sure is to remove the growth.How can I tell if there is a spinner? I can try to post more pictures later today (I'm out diving all day today). I might dive that target again. If so, I'll try to take some close ups of the front of the prop.
- brett
Yes - you're correct so we can eliminate a VindicatorGood find, but I think they had a two-bladed prop? This wreck definitely had three blades.
- brett
SB2C did not have internal wing guns, when mounted, 2 .50s in each wing in a podWhere was the wheel position in relation to the wing? Did it fold inboard (SB2C) or outboard (TBF/TBM) or backwards (TBD)?
I'm also trying to envision how the port wing wheel could be hanging down on a TBM without any gear strut visible.
They don't but remember, this was a crash and it's possible the gun was pushed forward
Info!
PURPOSE OF FLIGHT: Night Radar Bombing
MANEUVER INVOLVED: Low frequency range approach
TYPE OF ACCIDENT: Collision - Water
PLACE: Approximately two and one-half miles (2 1/2) miles west of Pt. Loma, Cal.
SPEED ON IMPACT: 110 knots
METHOD OF EXIT: Open canopy (cockpit)
TIME IN WATER: 4 hours in life raft, 5 minutes in water
METHOD OF RESCUE: Pilot picked up by civilian ship
Where was the wheel position in relation to the wing? Did it fold inboard (SB2C) or outboard (TBF/TBM) or backwards (TBD)?
I'm also trying to envision how the port wing wheel could be hanging down on a TBM without any gear strut visible.
SB2C did not have internal wing guns, when mounted, 2 .50s in each wing in a pod
From wiki - SB2C-4SB2C-1C SB2C-1 with two 20 mm (0.79 in) wing-mounted cannons and hydraulically operated flaps, 778 built. First to see combat.