US carrier airgroups prior to Pearl Harbour anyone?

[delcyros]

Hi gents,

I am looking for details about the equipment of US carrier groups betwen 1939 and 1941. So far, I just have found out that the SBD-2 began to be received in april 1940 and it took to late 41 to fully reequip and train crews with that plane. Your help is greatly appreciated! What were the dive bomber plane types in use on which of the large carriers before the introduction of the SBD? What about their quantity? How about the torpedo bomber? The TBD-1 was avaiable but only about 100 planes were produced, hardly enough to equip all US carriers. I tend to think that the period in question is barely covered at all.

thanks in advance,
delc

[syscom3]

Leonard would be a wealth of information about this.

[delcyros]

Here is what I have so far (early 1940):

CV-2 Lexington (72 planes max):

VF-2 F2F fighter biplane (18?)
VB-2 SB-2U bomber (18?)
VS-2 SBC-4 dive bomber (18?)
VT-2 TBD torpedo bomber (18?)

Am not sure with the equipment of VF-2, I believe that F3F is as well possible.
Those late biplanes are scary!

pictures do come from:

F2F:
The Grumman Story
SB-2:
Chance-Vought SB2U Vindicator, by Jack McKillop
SBC:
SBC Helldiver Info
TBD:
http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/i...000/h77104.jpg

regards,
delc.

[DerAdlerIstGelandet]

Thank god they did not try to fight the Japanese with the F2F.

I agree with sys Leonard would be the best source for info on this.

[maxs75]

delcyros,
I hope that my pages are interesting for you:
Index

Max

[delcyros]

Thanks for the pointer, Max75. Your page has a wealth of information!