The SBD Dauntless - The Best Dive Bomber of WW2?

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The SBD Dauntless - The Best Dive Bomber of WW2?
With Donald Nijboer
Part of Aviation in the Pacific Week on WW2TV
Battles at Sea and Naval History on WW2TV
• Battles at Sea and Nav...
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Donald Nijboer is a best selling aviation author and historian who lives in Toronto, Canada.
donaldnijboer.com/ / donaldnijboer
The SBD Dauntless dive-bomber played a key role in the war in the Pacific. The SBD (“Scout Bomber Douglas”) was the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps scout plane and dive-bomber from 1940 to 1944. They first saw action at Pearl Harbor flying off the USS Enterprise, but are best remembered as the bomber that delivered the fatal blows to Japanese carriers at the Battle of Midway in June 1942. In total, the Dauntless sank more enemy shipping than any other Allied bomber.
SBD Dauntless vs A6M Zero-sen: Pacific Theater 1941-44 by Donald Nijboer
USA bookshop.org/a/21029/97814728...
UK uk.bookshop.org/a/5843/978147...
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25 ноя 2021

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Комментарии : 116

@WW2TV 2 года назад

So, do you agree that the SBD was a war winning aircraft? If you have enjoyed this show, please don't forget to click like, leave a comment for other viewers and if you have not done so already please SUSBSCRIBE so you don't miss our next streams. You can also become a member of this channel and support me financially here ru-vid.com/show-UCUC1nmJGHmiKtlkpA6SJMeA. Links to any books discussed, WW2TV merchandise, our social media pages and other WW2TV shows to watch can all be found in the full RU-vid description. Lastly, my own book Angels of Mercy is always available online - more info here www.ddayhistorian.com/angels-of-mercy.html

@DalonCole Год назад

The SBD and F4F both vastly underrated

@amerigo88 2 года назад

Ed Heinemann of Douglas Aircraft Co. designed the SBD Dauntless, A-20 Havoc, A-26 Invader, A-1 Skyraider, and the diminutive A-4 Skyhawk. He is one of the greatest American warplane designers ever. His final project was managing the F-16 Fighting Falcon project. Ed died in 1991.

@BP-1988 10 месяцев назад

My father flew an SBD in WWII from the aircraft carriers USS Hornet (CV8) and the USS Lexington (CV16). In addition to the Battle of Midway, he also saw combat at the Battle of Santa Cruz, the Battle of the Philippine Sea, as well as attacks on Japanese installations at Truk Lagoon, Hollandia, Palau, Wake Island, Wolei, the Marshall Islands, and the Caroline Islands. He was awarded the Navy Cross, the Silver Star, 2 Distinguished Flying Crosses, and 2 Air Medals.

@WW2TV 10 месяцев назад

Thanks for sharing your father's story. What a career

@kirbyculp3449 9 месяцев назад

@michaelhorning6014 2 года назад

The SBD won the Battle of Midway. The Battle of Midway effectively shortened the War by 1-2 years. This one model of plane saved millions of lives. Well done, good and faithful servant.

@EpemaKlapkin Год назад

Wales show themself a bit more effective in Midway buttle, at list their pilots

@lappin6482 Год назад

That Midway movie actually made me appreciate the guys and planes a whole lot more, as the fighters usually have all the glory when you're a little kid. Great presentation 👏👏

@chrisnizer5702 2 года назад

I've often wondered why the SBD-Dauntless was never featured on Great Planes or Wings. Thanks for showing this workhorse the love and respect it earned. Semper Fidelis.

@scottgrimwood8868 2 года назад

A great discussion on the Douglas SBD and it’s critical role in the Pacific. The “Slow but Deadly” was key to Allied victory in the Pacific.

@garyrunnalls7714 Год назад

Great book called "Helldiver pilot" by Harold 'Hal' Buell usn is one of the Best on a Dauntless pilot, highly recommended. I absolutely believe the Dauntless and it's pilots/"rear gunners as well as the training they received was crucial to the victory in the Pacific. So many heros such as Dick Best, Hal Buell, Swede V., Dusty, and so many more used the SBD to fire the bombs on target and get outstanding results. I often think on how brave and well trained these men carried out their duties while being shot at by Zeros and flak and it blows me away. God bless our Vets.

@budscott1257 6 месяцев назад

My father was a sbd dive bomber pilot in the pacific in WW2 at tawara atoll in the Gilbert islands.

@anselmdanker9519 2 года назад

Thank you, I first read about the Dauntless dive bombers in a Battle picture library comic on the battle of Midway. Really appreciate you covering this .

@MrTScolaro 5 месяцев назад

Dauntless vs Helldiver was won by Dauntless during the flight into darkness at Philippine Sea. Few Helldivers made it home, the Dauntlesses all returned

@USAACbrat 7 месяцев назад

The SB2C was a multiuse craft that did nothing well; but had all the bells and whistles that everybody had to have. You are right Paul.

@Ostenjager 11 месяцев назад

I built a model of an SBD when I was like, eight years old. I fell in love with that plane building that model, and it has always loomed large in my mind's eye in the Pacific Theater of WWII. Classic, lovely lines.

@maeson676 2 года назад

If an aircraft's accomplishment of effectively destroying 3 aircraft carriers within 6 minutes can still be eclipsed by its own performance on an island campaign, you've crafted the perfect aircraft and an even better crew. Great discussion.

@williamfankboner4206 Год назад

Also sank 14 Japanese troop ships during Guadalcanal campaign.

@USAACbrat 7 месяцев назад

Got to work on the first RC Super Scale Kits for The Dauntless. Developed from an English 1 off that won a championship in its class.

@threecedarshomestead1330 4 месяца назад

The SBD Dauntless, PBY-5 Catalina, and P-38 Lightning (in that order) are my favorite WWII aircraft.

@davidlavigne207 2 года назад

SBD, or Scout Bomber Douglas was a significant improvement over its predecessor the SB2U Vindicator. Both were the first monoplane dive bombers developed for the U.S. Navy in 1935 and 1934 respectively. The SBD had a top speed advantage of 255 MPH vs the Vindicator's 211 MPH. The SBD had a climb rate almost 700 Ft per minute better than the Vindicator and could carry a payload of 2,250 lbs vs 1200 lbs. While the D3A Val was faster by 30 MPH and could climb faster, it could only carry about 800 lbs of bombs. It was also much lighter in construction with little armor and no self sealing fuel tanks. It began development in 1936 and was therefore a contemporary aircraft. In all respects, these were considered modern designs before war began and were in no way obsolete. All these aircraft began to be superseded only in mid to late 1943. Great discussion of a truly remarkable aircraft.

@deepgardening 4 месяца назад

Yep, model glue! Navy family and you bet I loved my Dauntless. And every pilot in my 1/4 inch scale models had mustache.

@thomasmadden8412 2 года назад

Another great show, SBD Dauntless is one of my favorite WW2 aircraft. I just love the pictures of the rugged looking Dauntless with open canopies and the dive flaps with the holes. Look forward to Donald coming back to talk about his upcoming Eighth Air Force book.

@Babalouie59 7 месяцев назад

The pilots of the Douglas TBD-1 Devastator torpedo bombers sacrificed themselves nearly to extinction, to keep the Japanese busy, while the Dauntless guys got top cover and the ride of their lives knocking out (4) Japanese aircraft carriers. Can you imagine the feeling of the tip over from 15k ft, near vertical (80 degrees) into the dive, and the carrier starts getting bigger in your windscreen down to 200 feet?

@fxdci 2 года назад

Wow! That was fabulous!! Thanks to Paul and Donald!!

@cheesenoodles8316 2 года назад

There is Dauntless at the Plames of Fame Museum, it cuts a great profile. Great show, knowledgeable guest.

@Idahoguy10157 Год назад

My late aunt told me in WW2 she worked for Douglas assembling the SBD

@steveschainost7590 2 года назад

An oft-repeated statement is that the SBD's had such success at Midway was because the A6M Zero's were pulled down to low level by the torpedo attack and didn't have to get back to altitude. The climb rate of the Zero was such that it would have only taken them two or three minutes to get back up. They had plenty of time. But they were probably so target-fixated on a low-level torpedo attack along with poor radio communication from the ships that they did not know the SBD's were coming in until it was too late.

@amerigo88 2 года назад

Correct. Parshall and Tully in "Shattered Sword" used Japanese flight deck logs from all 4 carriers to establish that nearly 30 minutes separated the last TBD torpedo attack and the arrival of the SBDs over the fleet. It's kind of idiotic on the Japanese part if you think about it. Hmm, the land-based bombers stopped their attack an hour ago, all these carrier type aircraft have been attacking from the northeast (Midway was due South of the Japanese fleet by 1020 hours), but we haven't seen US carrier dive bombers from the northeast. I guess the Americans didn't bring them..." Really? The American attacks had been utterly disjointed all morning, wouldn't it be reasonable to expect a disjointed SBD attack, separate from Torpedo 8 followed by Torpedo 6? Only Yorktown managed a combined high-low attack with dive and Torpedo bombers escorted by fighters.

@timburke4837 8 месяцев назад

From what I remember from my reading, the Zeros were refueling because of the previous raids.

@jammininthepast 2 года назад

The pilots and airmen of 42-43 preferred the Dauntless hands down. The Helldiver was called "sonofa Bitch 2nd Class" (Crossing the Line) (Neptunes Inferno)

@stephenrodwell8125 2 года назад

I'm sure SBD model sales sky rocketed after this video was released. Great discussion, loved it!

@linnharamis1496 3 месяца назад

Great program- thank you.👍

@danditto6145 Год назад

Thanks for doing this. I have always thought that the Dauntless was undervalued. A real war winner!

@Conn30Mtenor 9 месяцев назад

One advantage that the SBD had that I think that your guest failed to mention is that it was an easy plane to fly which accelerates pilot training. The crew affectionally called it "The Barge". 16:00 One 1000lb bomb from Dick Best sank the Akagi. Cost effective.

@USAACbrat 7 месяцев назад

Because it does not have an ETO record it is neglected. The ability to deliver a big bomb was the guiding rule.

@USAACbrat 7 месяцев назад

Nobody was happy to give up their Dauntless for a Helldiver the more they flew the less they liked it

@rinkevichjm 3 месяца назад

Mostly because the Corsair could perform all the same functions as a fighter bomber.

@timsampson7336 2 года назад

Outstanding show providing an overview of the Dauntless.

@DalonCole Год назад

You really need to check out the book “The Battle for Hells Island” by Stephen L. Moore. Chronicles the SBD Squadrons off of Enterprise that fought stationed on Guadalcanal. Trust me.

@garyrunnalls7714 Год назад

Harold Hal Buell wrote a fantastic book on his life and time on Enterprise,Hornet being an SBD pilot etc

@jimwatts914 9 месяцев назад

Howdy folks. Woody speaks the truth: Jimmy Doolittle was Elvis Presley and the Beatles. Great show as usual.

@fireteammichael1777 2 месяца назад

Definitely buying guest's book!

@aukelewainit3701 6 месяцев назад

The SBD Dauntless was the dive bombers used in Operation Hailstone Feb. 1944. This same plane liberated my people from the Japanese oppression. I did not serve in the military but I thinking about getting a tattoo of dauntless in honor of those brave men who literally stopped an incoming genocide.

@jeffstone7912 4 месяца назад

The dauntless had a very long range. It was also used as a scout aircraft.

@gordonbutler5142 2 года назад

Excellent discussion, another great episode.

@edbaldwin8736 2 года назад

Super program. Keep up the good work!

@philbosworth3789 Год назад

An interesting proposition. Well worth a watch.

@TheVigilant109 2 года назад

Excellent presentation. Thank you

@WW2TV 2 года назад

Glad you enjoyed it!

@davewitter6565 Месяц назад

Lack of the folding wing, saved weight and allowed the plane to carry a bigger bomb load off the deck of the carrier. Once the bomb weight was release it could maneuver with its' large wing and scored several air to air kills using 2 .50 Caliber machine guns firing through the propeller.

@spidrespidre Год назад

Another great show, Woody. Thanks for getting Donald on. There's no contest on the question of which single aircraft had the greatest impact in shaping the war. By design, doctrine, intelligence and a healthy dose of luck, the Dauntless achieved this in a single 10 minute window. Without the achievement at Midway, Guadalcanal might not have been viable as a campaign and Japan might have been able to continue to hold the initiative, the ramifications of which we can only guess at.

@glhsracing9616 8 месяцев назад

I’m a year late to the party but I feel the SBD is the iconic plane of the pacific campaign

@astraltraveler2725 2 года назад

Great topic. 👍👍

@WW2TV 2 года назад

Glad you enjoyed it

@marktuffield6519 9 месяцев назад

Very interesting discussion on a most important type. Your observation about a handful of bomber pilots sinking a carrier and having a bigger impact on the outcome of the war as compared to a fighter pilot who shoots down a few Messerschmitts and gets all the glory resonates with me in respect of WW1. I often make the point that an unknown R.E.8 pilot conducting an artillery shoot could kill far more men and have a bigger influence on a battle or the course of the war than MvR for all his victories in the air. But of course it is MvR who gets all the books written about him, along with the medals and models made of his red aircraft, but the R.E.8 pilot goes to his grave completely unknown by the wider public, despite the fact that it is the Jasta pilot's job to stop the R.E.8 pilot from doing his job. On a WW1 FB page that I help to admin someone posted a photo of the Sopwith Cuckoo launching a torpedo and referenced Pearl Harbor with regards to ships sank by air launched torpedo and their "war winning" effect. I countered with had anyone asked the SBD crews about that, being aware that they were responsible for more tonnage of ship losses than the torpedo bombers, but not wanting to go too out of our timeline we left the discussion at that. I recall reading Peter C. Smith's book on the Vultee Vengeance that SBD pilots who flew it considered it to be a better dive-bombing platform than the Dauntless, also the cockpit design of the Vengeance had input from experience gained in combat in Europe, though this meant it was not designed to "the book" insisted by the USAAF's Materiel Command which would count against it. Apparently the Commonwealth pilots uses a wing over technique for initiating the dive, rather than the more unpleasant "bunt" favoured by the USN. I recall that USN pilots had an early form of a G-suit which may have made the bunt technique less unpleasant, can anyone confirm this?

@patrickshanley4466 Год назад

Well done. Didn’t realize only 2 USN dauntless squadrons by Phillip one sea. How much did the dauntless improve as an airplane by end of its production run?

@DanWinslow-sl6ge 8 месяцев назад

In the hands of a pilot like Wade McClasky or Max Leslie the SBD was an awesome bomber

@USAACbrat 7 месяцев назад

A Zero that overshoots is dead meat; with the speed difference it is easy to see

@johnspurrell1200 Год назад

The guy in back had a mountable stick he could install, and rudder pedals. Many pilots trained the gunner/radio operator and on a few occasions brought a wounded plot back and the pilot could land or ditch the plane where rescue was possible.

@ronaldfinkelstein6335 6 месяцев назад

Saburo Sakai's wingmates claimed he had shot down those three SBDs that wounded him.

@MegaBloggs1 Месяц назад

helldiver had development speed issues-when fixed it was a superior design

@mpetersen6 4 месяца назад

The best carrier dive bomber. A very good case an be made for that. Best dive bomber overall. Then one needs to fold in the data on the land based A-24 version. I have seen very little data on well the A-24 did in combat.

@cheesenoodles8316 Год назад

Addition update...the restored Dauntless at POF was flown for the crowd last weekend.

@WW2TV Год назад

Thanks for the update

@johnspurrell1200 Год назад

I read in an account or two about IJN fighter pilots doing aerobatics when they were closing. Rather than "showing off" this was the method of communicating the squadron leader's instruction to the rest in the absence of radio. I also read that the addition of a second rapid firing .30 cal Browning to the rear gunner of TBDs and SBDs was at the instigation of the TBD leader Waldron and was continued to other aircraft when it proved effective. Sorry I do not recall the source. It was just a sentence in one of the multitude of memoirs I have read.

@user-qw4jy2ub3x 9 месяцев назад

Had a bit of a problem understanding one of the guys' English accent so I just FF'd to the next turn, and it was all OK. Interesting facts and pictures here. Thank you for a cool video from someone who had a lot of background info I hadn't known before.

@WW2TV 9 месяцев назад

Which show did you have a problem understanding the guest may I ask?

@user-qw4jy2ub3x 9 месяцев назад

@@WW2TV Uh, The fellow with the hat on and the goatee had a bit of rough accent that I had a problem with. No offense meant. It was on the "The SBD Dauntless - The Best Dive Bomber of WW2?" video.

@WW2TV 9 месяцев назад

Uh, well that's me, I'm the host of the channel. Well, if you struggle with my accent I guess you won't be watching any of the other 800 WW2TV shows@@user-qw4jy2ub3x

@morganhale3434 2 года назад

The SBD-1 Dauntless' battle honors in WWII were unprecedented for a single-engine bomber. That should tell you all since the conditions in the Pacific, mainly carrier aircraft and unimproved airfields that were the usual frontline airfields, were extremely arduous and the robustness of the Dauntless was also a reason it was a great aircraft. If you can't use it, it is useless to you, whether or not enemy action took the plane out service.

@MW-eb1qh 2 года назад

Most of the SBDs at Midway were the SBD-2.

@morganhale3434 2 года назад

@@MW-eb1qh You are correct, my mistake.

@MW-eb1qh 2 года назад

@@morganhale3434 Actually, my mistake too. Many of the Dauntlesses at Midway were already the SBD-3. After I made the comment I was reading again in the book A Glorious Page in our History, saw that about SBD-3s. Great book BTW. Most SBD-1s went to the Marine Corps and likely they were what was flown from Midway itself that day.

@markrunnalls7215 Год назад

Very good discussion Paul ,I think any pilot that has to fly any aircraft into a hail of flak ,what ever there nationality ,I mean good grief (What guts).. the Royal navy chap ,Esmond who with his Sqdn of Swordfishes flew against the German ships during the channel dash ,I think all were lost ,I have not long finished watching a vid on the Devastator at Midway and they took 90% losses absolutely unreal .. I'm sure aswell the Dauntless started its dive at 20,000 ft ?

@timcross2510 8 месяцев назад

Best dive bomber of all time

@robertlewis1965 3 месяца назад

If the Dauntless wasn't the BEST dive bomber , IT WAS THERE WHEN IT MATTERED MOST , AT THE BATTLE OF MIDWAY ! Where it made it TECHNOLOGICALLY IMPOSSIBLE for Japan to win the war .

@psychedashell 9 месяцев назад

It would take a seriously different breed of human to be a rear gunner in a dive bomber - If I was in that position you wouldn't even need a gun because there would be a constant flow of vomit sailing backwards from the moment the pilot started making evasive maneuvers to the point where my guts emptied and I passed out, only probem is I'd probably do it in the dive as well.

@vinniethefinger7781 2 года назад

Oh boy another Hanks show. Jee I can't wait.

@johnspurrell1200 2 года назад

The U know SBD U know was U know an essential U know element of sinking U know Japanese U know supplies.

@richardseverin1603 2 года назад

I've always wondered how the rear gunner kept from shooting to pieces his planes tail section while fighting off enemy zeros. Was there an 'interrupter gear'? to keep from firing in a certain angle and direction?

@WW2TV 2 года назад

That I don't know

@amerigo88 2 года назад

I think there was an arch along the lowest part of the "twin stinger mount" track to lift the the guns over the rudder.

@kemarisite 2 года назад

Did the guest say the SBD helped sink two battleships in 1942? Leaving aside the issue of calling the Kongo-class a battleship, I can count Hiei and ...? It certainly had nothing to do with sinking Kirishima, which was devastated by 20 or so 16" hits (by Japanese count). I don't think there were any battleships sunk during Operation Torch, although Massachusetts did duel Jean Bart and score a number of hits that put it out of action. Am I missing one?

@WW2TV 2 года назад

You answered yourself, the Hiei and the Jean Bart

@keithgranberry115 Год назад

VMSB-341 - The Torrid Turtles..... Capt. T.W. Hander

@Idahoguy10157 Год назад

The Japanese transports sunk werent just a loss for the Japanese at Guadalcanal. Those ship were not available to take food, oil, minerals, etc… back too the home islands.

@DalonCole Год назад

Yup

@DalonCole Год назад

No question

@timbungarner3842 Год назад

The Dauntless could dive on a unsuspecting zero not chase it

@rafaelj.benero4880 11 месяцев назад

Providing folding wings would have add more weight to the plane so less ammunition and bombs it could carry.

@jabojr5171 2 года назад

Great discussion, I've never heard anyone talk about the loss of transports and how Japan lost the ability to move troops home from China. Didn't Japan want to get their troops back?

@user-xj6rr3yv8q Год назад

SBD used a 10 year old engine, imagine if the plane had been built around the R-2,600.

@RobertERensch Год назад

Am I incorrect in saying the SBD was the final evolution of a series of Northrop Gamma revisions?

@WW2TV Год назад

I don't know, hopefully someone will respond

@davemacnicol8404 Год назад

Lol he said VJ Day. 🤠

@gerrynightingale9045 Год назад

*NO...the 'Best Dive-Bomber' in terms of 'hitting a defined target' was the 'Stuka'* _____________ *The 'Best Over-All' was the likely the 'Dauntless' in terms of 'mission-specific' abilities to launch a torpedo against shipping, something that was desperately needed in the Pacific war, as well as being able to drop heavy 'armor-piercing' munitions on enemy ships to ensure deck penetration to explode inside a ship's vulnerable 'innards'* _____________ *Being able to be launched from a Carrier was a 'War Winner' in the Pacific against heavy armored warships...Japanese carriers were made to 'strike & retreat' and sustained assaults from enemy aircraft proved their inherent weakness with wooden decking and extremely poor fire-suppression abilities that were almost an 'afterthought'* _____________ ( *The 'IJN' and the American Navy were still 'becalmed' in antique ideas and methods of 'Huge Battleships' 'Destroyers' and so on and Carriers were merely an 'adjunct force' until the battle of Midway...then the 'scales fell from the eyes' of many Admirals who felt 'These '90-day Wonder' pilots were all but useless in a 'real sea-battle'* ) *The destruction of Japan's carriers basically meant 'The War Is Lost!' for Japan in only a day's time...they no longer had any long-range strike-force ability and could no longer offer air-cover for battle groups* *From then on it was only 'Defensive' rather than 'Offensive' operations for Japan*

@achillesalexander5327 9 месяцев назад

Why didn't they increase the horsepower on The SBD Dayntless to give it a top speed of 285 300 mph I stead of going with HellDivers?

@WW2TV 9 месяцев назад

Good question, if and when Donald returns I will ask him

@briangrant774 8 месяцев назад

the movie midway weird? how so? The first one with Henry Fonda was crap but the newer one, was at least some historically accurate. the whole love interest was bizarre, to say the least.

@markogronfors3204 3 месяца назад

In my opinion, the author of the title should add . In the Pacific Ocean. Otherwise, the Ju-87 was better

@WW2TV 3 месяца назад

Better is always subjective though.

@bobharrison7693 2 месяца назад

The SBD certainly was better at defending itself than was the JU-87.

@MegaBloggs1 Месяц назад

some dubious conclusions-more accurate than a 16 inch battleship?? i doubt it -the sbd missed more than it hit-shattered sword concludes there was several near missess before dick best scored a direct hit on hiriyu-the devastation it caused was by sympathetic detonation's on the hangar deck.if the ijn had adopted the british design principles of armoured flight decks then midway may not have been as decisive as it concluded

@deaddocreallydeaddoc5244 8 месяцев назад

I have to agree with you about the Midway film that came out a few years back. it was as you say, weird feeling. I particularly could not feel engaged with the characters who themselves, in particular the focus character, were too computer-enhanced and seedy feeling. Overall, the old Midway film with Charleton Heston, Henry Fonda, and all the classic actors of the era is far better.

@bobharrison7693 2 месяца назад

I thought the original Midway movie sucked -- why in the world did they have to insert a fictitious story line into the movie of one of the greatest naval battles of all time. The real characters were far more interesting,

@davemacnicol8404 Год назад

We should've stolen the P38 for Cat launch. Fold up the wings at the engine cowlings swept back like the greyhounds. And that, there cleetis, is combat air patrol/fighter bomber that could've been.

@bobharrison7693 2 месяца назад

The F6F and F4U were superior to the P-38 already, so why go to all the trouble of making it a carrier fighter?

@Neaptide184 2 года назад

A good number of your guests perpetuate the myth the Zero did not have self sealing fuel tanks. This is not true, the first models of the Zero equipped with self sealing tanks actually predate the same technology on the F4F. Armor was lacking, but by the battle of Midway almost all Zeros that would have been encountered for the rest of the war had self sealing fuel tanks.

@johnspurrell1200 Год назад

Mr Attack Ed Heineman designed great aircraft. The list is long. He also knew how t

@johnspurrell1200 Год назад

Ed Heineman designed a multitude of great aircraft. A high school graduate who started as a draftsman. He also knew how to put together a design team. More than one of his great designs were first designed overnight in hotel rooms after meetings with the navy. Light, strong easily maintained attack aircraft that became legends.

@gregsutton2400 2 года назад

Easiest to land on a carrier, lowest loss rate....

@amerigo88 2 года назад

Given the pathetic state of the outdated and outclassed TBD with Mark 13 Air launched torpedo vs the faster, longer-ranged Kate torpedo bomber and lethal Japanese torpedoes, the Dauntless was pretty much the extent of USN air offensive power at Coral Sea and Midway. The TBF/TBM Avengers took over from the TBD immediately after the Midway massacre. The Dauntless, similar to the B-24 Liberator and long-serving F4F/FM2 Wildcat, was fortunate to face the lesser air that of the Japanese Army and Nsvy Air Forces rather than the A-team patrolling European and North African skies. When the Stuka encountered the RAF, it was promptly butchered two years before Midway or Guadalcanal. I doubt the Dauntless would have fared much better against the Bf109 and German Flak. The recent Midway movie perpetuates the idea of intense Japanese AA fire at that battle with clouds of black puffs and plummeting, burning SBDs. Actual combat photos from the day of the attack show less than a tenth as much AA fire. In "Shattered Swird," the authors point out that the Japanese carriers relief more heavily in their maneuverability than in AA fire. This is why their ship formations were looser than the American concentric formations with cruisers close to the carriers at the core of each task force. Unmentioned in this interview was the shortage of F4Fs led the Navy to send SBDs up as CAP vs the Japanese at the Battle of the Coral Sea. Watching 250 mph SBDs try to dogfight slippery 335 mph Zeroes must have been something to see. The Dauntless, like the Stuka, Val, A1 Skyraider or A-10 Warthog, was a great ground attack plane following Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses (SEAD). If enemy air defenses are still fully functional, all these slow but deadlies are doomed.

@brucermarino 4 месяца назад

I think you're like Evans and Peattie Kaigun: Strategy, Tactics, and Technology in the Imperial Japanese Navy, 1887-1941 It has an excellent section on Japanese fleet cruising dispositions and the notes are invaluable. Thanks!