[ARC5] Naming torpedo bombers

[Kludge]

-----Original Message-----
From: arc5-bounces at mailman.qth.net [mailto:arc5-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On
Behalf Of Michael Bittner
> It's SBD; Scout, Bomber, Douglas.

This is true.  The SBD was a scout dive bomber that was quite good at
defending itself.  The bombers that went out unescorted were TBDs (Torpedo
Bomber, Douglas) which were slow and essentially defenseless against the AA
guns aboard the Japanese ships.  They suffered an 80% loss with some
squadrons like VT-8 from the HORNET (CV-8) being completely wiped out.  Not
one TBD scored a hit.

The fighters that failed to link up with the TBDs were Grumman F4Fs which
were vastly outclassed by the A6M Zero.  

Dr. Drake had a personal distaste for crystal control & VHF until he saw it
demonstrated at which point he became a True Believer.

Best regards,
 
Michael, WH7HG BL01xh
http://www.nationalmssociety.org/chapters/NTH/index.aspx 
http://wh7hg.blogspot.com/ 
http://kludges-other-blog.blogspot.com 
Hiki Nô!