BtC 3.2 - The curious role of the TBD-1 Torpedo Bomber
Added 2018-12-23 16:46:17 +0000 UTCHey all,
My work on the TBD-1 Devastator continuous. I have completed the technical aspects of the plane a few days ago, which left me with a few questions and surprises that I hope to answer as I go along. This is why it is so important to look at official manuals when creating these videos because not only do I know have a better grasp on the performance and design elements of the Devastator, but I also have avenues to explore. I ordered a book that I hope answers the most pressing ones (thanks to you these expenditures are possible), something I might even take further to create a standalone video if I find enough data.
As I go along with my research for this video, I started delving more deeply into the TBD-1s service record. While most people know it as a torpedo bomber, the TBD was used in more roles that just dropping fish into the water. One other role was bombing missions, and these were quite prominent early on in 1942, more so than torpedo bombing. Thus, when looking at the plane’s records, focusing only on the anti-shipping missions limits the scope severely. In the video, this will of course be addressed.
What is striking however is how many early raids seem to have left the TBD’s a bit side-lined although they were often given important targets. Yet, the focus always seemed to have been to get the SBD Dauntless dive-bombers on target, leaving the TBDs as a diversion or as a supplement to the strike. As US doctrine will evolve, this makes sense in hindsight but with torpedo bombing very much being a focal point of the inter-war years, I wonder how much this was simply forward thinking, a concrete understanding of the limits of the TBD in a bombing role and/or merited by the context of the strike. Or was it just plain randomness?
Food for thought and research.
o7,
Bis
(Picture: Lundstrom, The First Team, p. 127)
Comments
I'll check it out, thanks for the recommendation!
Military Aviation History
2018-12-23 23:03:46 +0000 UTCI read "A Dawn Like Thunder" not too long ago, about Torpedo Squadron 8. They were among the "distractions" at Midway, and one member of the squadron got to witness the sinking of some or all of the carriers. They also were part of the "Cactus Air Force" on Guadalcanal, doing many bombing runs and basically no torpedo missions. They started out on the TBD, and transitioned to the TBF, around the battle of Midway, though the few TBFs assigned to them did not take part in the well-known parts of that battle.
Dave D
2018-12-23 22:39:25 +0000 UTC
