Enterprise SBD's at Midway

Talon

Talon

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Enterprise launched 37 SBD'S to attack the IJN Carriers at Midway. Most people think they all carried 1000lb bombs but it's not so.

Here's the breakdown of bombloads.

18 - SBD's carried 1 x 1000lb bomb.

13 - SBD's carried 1 x 500lb and 2 x 100lb bombs.

6 - SBD's carried 1 x 500lb bomb.

Probably another contributing factor to the IJN Carriers burning so much was they were still refueling their aircraft. The USN learned with the loss of Lexington at Coral Sea to stop all refueling and put Co2 in the aviation fuel lines.


Talon
 
Talon said:
Enterprise launched 37 SBD'S to attack the IJN Carriers at Midway. Most people think they all carried 1000lb bombs but it's not so.

Here's the breakdown of bombloads.

18 - SBD's carried 1 x 1000lb bomb.

13 - SBD's carried 1 x 500lb and 2 x 100lb bombs.

6 - SBD's carried 1 x 500lb bomb.

Probably another contributing factor to the IJN Carriers burning so much was they were still refueling their aircraft. The USN learned with the loss of Lexington at Coral Sea to stop all refueling and put Co2 in the aviation fuel lines.


Talon
Click to expand...

Very interesting, Talon!

I always thought that the standard payload for the SBD's was the 1 x 500lb and 2 x 100lb bomb combo. Probably because of a famous, and rare, SBD picture taken during the dive with the dive brakes extended and the three bombs dropped, that had just cleared the pylons, perfectly visible.

Cheers!
KH :ernae:
 
The author of the new book, Barrett Tillman, has written numerous aviation books over the years. I just finished his book on the SBD Dauntless last year.
 
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