Cowboy1968
July 5th, 2009, 07:51
The standard US tactics using the TBD Devastator, TBF/M Avenger and the TBY Sea Wolf in the torpedo role was simple. The optimal attack was for a flight of eight aircraft to pick a target. they would approach by section on the bow or stern (section four planes). I section would concentrate coming in on the stern by element (2 planes) at a 45 degree angle of axis on the attack on either the port or starboard the other Section would follow a similar pattern on a bow attack on a target. The planes would drop to about 100 to 150 feet off the deck and make a straight run at the angle of attack to well inside 500 yards of the target. They would release then turn out of the attack. In most cases how ever the attacks were made by section of four coming in on bow or stern. This was called an anvil attack. now on a stananary target like a moored ship they would come in at a flat 0 degree angle to the broadside and deliver the torpedo directly into the broadside of the ship.
When used for bombing attacks the Torpedo bombers were used as level bombers. if against ships they would come in level at around 1,000 feet and release when properly lined to lead the target. When being used to attack land targets the torpedo planes would release from anywhere between 1,000 to 5,000 feet. a lot times even lower then that 1,000 feet.
The dive bombers like the SB2U Vindicator, SBD Dauntless and the SB2C Helldiver would come in around 10,000 to 12,000 feet, set dive configuration, cut the throttle and role inverted go into a 60 to 75 degree dive (depending on type of aircraft) and dive to around 1,500 to as low as 1,000 feet above the target and release, then they would pull out of the dive, close flaps and dive brakes, and landing gear on the SB2U, and slam the throttle to the firewall and high tail it out. Or they could make shallower glide bomb attack with out setting dive configuration.
That was the USN methods of attack. My question is what were the FAA methods or were they the same?
When used for bombing attacks the Torpedo bombers were used as level bombers. if against ships they would come in level at around 1,000 feet and release when properly lined to lead the target. When being used to attack land targets the torpedo planes would release from anywhere between 1,000 to 5,000 feet. a lot times even lower then that 1,000 feet.
The dive bombers like the SB2U Vindicator, SBD Dauntless and the SB2C Helldiver would come in around 10,000 to 12,000 feet, set dive configuration, cut the throttle and role inverted go into a 60 to 75 degree dive (depending on type of aircraft) and dive to around 1,500 to as low as 1,000 feet above the target and release, then they would pull out of the dive, close flaps and dive brakes, and landing gear on the SB2U, and slam the throttle to the firewall and high tail it out. Or they could make shallower glide bomb attack with out setting dive configuration.
That was the USN methods of attack. My question is what were the FAA methods or were they the same?