Sunderland Vs Catalina

[Lightning Guy]

A Catalina could take a torpedo or two 1000lb bombs under each wing (or side of the wing rather). The more usual load (shown in the pic) was 2 500lb and two 1000lb bombs. Several Black Cats (like the one pictured) were also equipped with 4 .50cals in the nose for shooting up barges.

 

[the lancaster kicks ass]

4x .50cal aint gonna do any damage to a barge though................

 

[plan_D]

I don't know, I wouldn't have liked to be on one if it was being strafed even if only with .50cals.

 

[Lightning Guy]

Well, whether they were using the .50cals or the bombs the Black Cats sank a TON of Japense shipping.

 

[plan_D]

Just a ton, that must have been a small ship..hahaha..
I know, I know you meant a lot..

 

[cheddar cheese]

 

[the lancaster kicks ass]

does any one have any figures as to how many U-Boats the sunderland sank?

 

[cheddar cheese]

nope im guessing it was quite a lot though 8)

 

[the lancaster kicks ass]

i'm not sure, it proberly just detered more than it sank...........

 

[Lightning Guy]

Detering was as effective as sinking. But U-boat sinkings are very hard to verify. I'm not sure an accurate account of how many U-boats a particular ship or plane sank could be determined.

 

[the lancaster kicks ass]

Detering was as effective as sinking

not if it comes back once the plane had gone............

 

[plan_D]

If you're escorting a convoy it's still useful.

 

[Lightning Guy]

Exactly. A U-boat had no chance of keeping pace with a convoy when it was submerged. If the Sunderland, Wimpy, Beau, Avenger, Hudson, or whatever else was covering the convoy could get the U-boat to dive, the convoy was saved (at least from that U-boat).

 

[plan_D]

Too bad for the convoy they hunted in packs...

 

[Lightning Guy]

Yeah. The Wolfpacks were terribly effective. But it's not like the convoys were only capable of attacking/detering one U-boat at a time so that helped.

 

[the lancaster kicks ass]

it's a bit of a homage to the U-Boats that churchill said they were the only thing that frightened him throughout the whole war................

 

[plan_D]

Yes, well they almost beat the Royal Navy but they never did

 

[Lightning Guy]

It took quite a bit to frighten Churchill. I have a lot of respect for that man.

 

[the lancaster kicks ass]

i do, and i don't, i respect him as a good leader, but i don't because he smoked.....

 

[cheddar cheese]

and he was always on the booze