best medium bomber - Aircraft of World War II

elmilitaro · 03-21-2006, 06:13 PM

Hey guys, what do you think was the best medium bomber used in WW2.

Glider · 03-21-2006, 06:22 PM

Do217

FLYBOYJ · 03-21-2006, 06:41 PM

A-26.....

pbfoot · 03-21-2006, 07:11 PM

A 26 is a light bomber IMHO and prefer the much maligned Martin B26

Gemhorse · 03-21-2006, 07:29 PM

Had this before, haven't we....I think the B-25 won.........

Glider · 03-21-2006, 07:38 PM

By a default

FLYBOYJ · 03-21-2006, 09:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pbfoot

A 26 is a light bomber IMHO and prefer the much maligned Martin B26

Light Bomber? A B-25 weighed 36,000 lbs at take off and carried only 3 - 4000- pounds of bombs. The martin B-26G weighed 38,000 pounds and still had a bomb load of 4000 pounds. The A-26C had a take off weight of 35,000 pounds and was later up-ed to 43,000 pounds and carried 6000 pounds of ordnance internally and later 2000 pounds externally (A-26K)

There's nothing light about the A-26!

loomaluftwaffe · 03-21-2006, 09:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Glider

Do217

same goes for me

pbfoot · 03-21-2006, 10:34 PM

Well without a doubt late 44 the A26 was the tool but..............

Magister · 03-21-2006, 10:35 PM

The A-26 had a 4,000lb internal bomb capacity in addition to a 2,000lb external bomb/rocket capacity.

Specification of Douglas A-26B-60-DL Invader:

Powerplant:
Two Pratt & Whitney R-2800-79 air-cooled radials, each rated at 2000 hp for takeoff, 2350 hp with water injection.
Performance:
Maximum speed 355 mph at 15,000 feet. Cruising speed 284 mph. An altitude of 10,000 feet could be attained in 8.1 minutes. Service ceiling 22,100 feet. Normal range 1400 miles, maximum range 3200 miles.
Dimensions:
Wingspan 70 feet 0 inches, length 50 feet 8 inches, height 18 feet 6 inches, wing area 540 square feet.
Weights:
22,362 pounds empty, 26,000 pounds loaded, 41,800 pounds maximum.
Armament:
Eight forward-firing 0.50-inch machine guns in nose. Three 0.50-inch machine guns mounted in each of the outer wing panels. Two 0.50-inch machine guns in remotely-controlled dorsal turret. Two 0.50-inch machine guns in remotely-controlled ventral turret. An internal bomb load of 4000 pounds could be carried. Maximum total bomb load of 6000 pounds.

The "K" model was the B-26 "Counter Invader" which was used in Vietnam. On short trips it could carry a maximum of 12,000lbs of bombs.

Specification of On Mark B-26K Counter Invader:

Powerplant:
Two Pratt & Whitney R-2800-52W air-cooled radials, each rated at 2500 hp for takeoff and 1750 hp at 15,000 feet.
Performance:
Maximum speed 323 mph at 15,000 feet, 291 mph at sea level. Cruising speed 169 mph. Stalling speed 114 mph. Initial climb rate 2050 feet per minute. An altitude of 10,000 feet could be attained in 8.1 minutes. Service ceiling 28,600 feet. Combat radius 700 miles with 3518 pound bomb load. Normal range 1480 miles, maximum ferry range 2700 miles.
Dimensions:
Wingspan 71 feet 6 inches (over wing-tip tanks), length 51 feet 7 3/16 inches, height 19 feet 0 inches, wing area 540 square feet.
Weights:
25,130 pounds empty, 37,000 pounds loaded, 39,250 pounds maximum.
Armament:
Eight forward-firing 0.50-inch machine guns in nose. Six forward-firing 0.50-inch machine guns in the wings. An internal bomb load of 4000 pounds could be carried. Up to 8000 pounds could be carried on the underwing pylons. Maximum total bomb load of 12,000 pounds.

FLYBOYJ · 03-21-2006, 10:57 PM

Again, nothing light about the A-26, good info Magister!

Glider · 03-22-2006, 02:49 AM

Do217M around 22,000lb empty and max 8,800 lb bombs. Thats medium, and one of the reasons like it so much when compared to the B25/B26.

the lancaster kicks ass · 03-22-2006, 03:16 AM

i wouldn't count the A-26, for the simple fact it's designation makes it an attack aircraft, which is what it is, we did it last time so i think we should do it again, split this into two catagories, strategic bombers like the wimpy and tactical/other bombers like the A-26, agreed?

if we do do that, the wimpy gets my vote for the strategic...........

loomaluftwaffe · 03-22-2006, 05:06 AM

did that do any better than the Spades, the Junkers and the Flying pencils in the strategic mission?

FLYBOYJ · 03-22-2006, 08:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by the lancaster kicks ass

i wouldn't count the A-26, for the simple fact it's designation makes it an attack aircraft, which is what it is, we did it last time so i think we should do it again, split this into two catagories, strategic bombers like the wimpy and tactical/other bombers like the A-26, agreed?

if we do do that, the wimpy gets my vote for the strategic...........

The designation doesn't make the aircraft - it was changed to B-26 after the Martin B-26 was retired and the USAF was established in 1947. The A-26 accomplished the same roles as the B-25 and B-26, the "A" meant nothing.....

Wimpy attack bomber? It was shown the A-26 was a monster and carried a hell of a lot more punch than the B-26 and most models of the B-25.

As Magister gave accuracy to this - "The "K" model was the B-26 "Counter Invader" which was used in Vietnam. On short trips it could carry a maximum of 12,000lbs of bombs." In WW2, 6000 pounds of bombs, far more than ANY "Medium" Bomber.

The A-26 was also very advanced and very fast...

Again, far from being "light" and "wimpy."

03-21-2006, 06:13 PM	#1
elmilitaro Senior Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Texas Posts: 405	best medium bomber Hey guys, what do you think was the best medium bomber used in WW2. __________________ "And when he gets to heaven, To Saint Peter he will tell; One more marine reporting, sir- I've served my time in hell." A marine gravemarker on guadalcanal

03-21-2006, 06:41 PM	#3
FLYBOYJ IP/Mech THE GREAT GAZOO Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Colorado, USA Posts: 16,049	A-26..... __________________ "IF ITS RED OR DUSTY, DON'T TOUCH IT"

03-21-2006, 10:35 PM	#10
Magister Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Cupertino, CA Posts: 183	The A-26 had a 4,000lb internal bomb capacity in addition to a 2,000lb external bomb/rocket capacity. Specification of Douglas A-26B-60-DL Invader: Powerplant: Two Pratt & Whitney R-2800-79 air-cooled radials, each rated at 2000 hp for takeoff, 2350 hp with water injection. Performance: Maximum speed 355 mph at 15,000 feet. Cruising speed 284 mph. An altitude of 10,000 feet could be attained in 8.1 minutes. Service ceiling 22,100 feet. Normal range 1400 miles, maximum range 3200 miles. Dimensions: Wingspan 70 feet 0 inches, length 50 feet 8 inches, height 18 feet 6 inches, wing area 540 square feet. Weights: 22,362 pounds empty, 26,000 pounds loaded, 41,800 pounds maximum. Armament: Eight forward-firing 0.50-inch machine guns in nose. Three 0.50-inch machine guns mounted in each of the outer wing panels. Two 0.50-inch machine guns in remotely-controlled dorsal turret. Two 0.50-inch machine guns in remotely-controlled ventral turret. An internal bomb load of 4000 pounds could be carried. Maximum total bomb load of 6000 pounds. The "K" model was the B-26 "Counter Invader" which was used in Vietnam. On short trips it could carry a maximum of 12,000lbs of bombs. Specification of On Mark B-26K Counter Invader: Powerplant: Two Pratt & Whitney R-2800-52W air-cooled radials, each rated at 2500 hp for takeoff and 1750 hp at 15,000 feet. Performance: Maximum speed 323 mph at 15,000 feet, 291 mph at sea level. Cruising speed 169 mph. Stalling speed 114 mph. Initial climb rate 2050 feet per minute. An altitude of 10,000 feet could be attained in 8.1 minutes. Service ceiling 28,600 feet. Combat radius 700 miles with 3518 pound bomb load. Normal range 1480 miles, maximum ferry range 2700 miles. Dimensions: Wingspan 71 feet 6 inches (over wing-tip tanks), length 51 feet 7 3/16 inches, height 19 feet 0 inches, wing area 540 square feet. Weights: 25,130 pounds empty, 37,000 pounds loaded, 39,250 pounds maximum. Armament: Eight forward-firing 0.50-inch machine guns in nose. Six forward-firing 0.50-inch machine guns in the wings. An internal bomb load of 4000 pounds could be carried. Up to 8000 pounds could be carried on the underwing pylons. Maximum total bomb load of 12,000 pounds. __________________ MAGISTER

03-21-2006, 10:57 PM	#11
FLYBOYJ IP/Mech THE GREAT GAZOO Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Colorado, USA Posts: 16,049	Again, nothing light about the A-26, good info Magister! __________________ "IF ITS RED OR DUSTY, DON'T TOUCH IT"

03-22-2006, 03:16 AM	#13
the lancaster kicks ass Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 19,945	i wouldn't count the A-26, for the simple fact it's designation makes it an attack aircraft, which is what it is, we did it last time so i think we should do it again, split this into two catagories, strategic bombers like the wimpy and tactical/other bombers like the A-26, agreed? if we do do that, the wimpy gets my vote for the strategic........... __________________ "Reminds me of the time I sank the Tirpitz" comments a Spitfire pilot, "One pass of course, old boy."

03-21-2006, 06:22 PM	#2
Glider Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: London Posts: 3,649	Do217

03-21-2006, 07:11 PM	#4
pbfoot Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: niagara falls Posts: 5,585	A 26 is a light bomber IMHO and prefer the much maligned Martin B26

03-21-2006, 07:29 PM	#5
Gemhorse Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 584	Had this before, haven't we....I think the B-25 won.........

03-21-2006, 07:38 PM	#6
Glider Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: London Posts: 3,649	By a default

03-21-2006, 10:34 PM	#9
pbfoot Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: niagara falls Posts: 5,585	Well without a doubt late 44 the A26 was the tool but..............

03-22-2006, 02:49 AM	#12
Glider Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: London Posts: 3,649	Do217M around 22,000lb empty and max 8,800 lb bombs. Thats medium, and one of the reasons like it so much when compared to the B25/B26.

03-22-2006, 05:06 AM	#14
loomaluftwaffe Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 1,848	did that do any better than the Spades, the Junkers and the Flying pencils in the strategic mission? __________________ "The German Luftwaffe always fought without any reserves. This is also the reason why we have pilots with extremely high numbers of victories." - General der Jagdflieger Adolf Galland"

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