Best Pre 1942 Carrier Torpedo Bomber - Aircraft of World War II

syscom3 · 04-08-2007, 09:23 PM

Heres the four choices.

lesofprimus · 04-08-2007, 09:41 PM

Interesting u broke it down to pre-1942... Would have liked to seen the comparisons between the generations...

syscom3 · 04-08-2007, 10:12 PM

Les, I figured that 1942 was the year when everyone learned that slow moving torpedo planes were highly vulnerable to AA. Plus as the number of enemy ships decreased, the torpedo bombers had to be able to adapt to new missions.

For me, the "Kate" was the best as it lugged the larger of the torpedo's and performed its mission well.

I will post another poll for 1943-45 after we discuss this one.

Desert Fox · 04-09-2007, 12:12 AM

I'd say the Fairey Swordfish. For a biplane, it did some amazing things in the sky during that time, like sinking the Bismark. That was a big achievement for a supposedly obsolescent aircraft.

Typhoon · 04-09-2007, 05:25 AM

The Swordfish also sunk the Italian Battleships as well. Being the first carrier attack on Battleships.

FLYBOYJ · 04-09-2007, 06:20 AM

Based on performance and equipment, it's the Kate. Based on accomplishment, I'd go with the Swordfish, but the Kate is close behind - a good poll!

lesofprimus · 04-09-2007, 06:38 AM

Then why'd u vote for the Devastator then Joe???

DerAdlerIstGelandet · 04-09-2007, 08:11 AM

Got to vote for the Kate.

Who cares about what the Swordfish accomplished. It was not the better of the two aircraft. The Kate was faster, better protected, more maneuverable and able to perform the mission better.

If you wish to talk about accomplishments it is still the Kate. 2 Words....

Pearl Harbor.

Gnomey · 04-09-2007, 08:13 AM

Agreed Adler. I would of voted for the Swordfish if the Kate hadn't been in the poll but the Swordfish despite what it accomplished was not the best at this time.

DerAdlerIstGelandet · 04-09-2007, 08:49 AM

I hate to say it but I dont really think it was the best at any point of the war.

FLYBOYJ · 04-09-2007, 09:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lesofprimus

Then why'd u vote for the Devastator then Joe???

My mistake!

Corrected accordingly....

DerAdlerIstGelandet · 04-09-2007, 09:24 AM

Uhuh just admit it, you thought you could get away with it. You sly little fox!

plan_D · 04-09-2007, 09:41 AM

The B5N1/2 were no better protected than the Fairey Swordfish, defensive armament on both was a single light machine-gun. The Swordfish had a more diverse weapons collection, the 'Kate' could only carry torpedos and bombs in no greater weight than the Swordfish loading. The Swordfish could carry torpedo, bombs, mines and rockets; the latter two being something the 'Kate' never carried.

The Swordfish sank more tonnage than the 'Kate'. The Swordfish III was deployed with the Mk.X ASV radar which was superior to that on any 'Kate'. While the 'Kate' spear-headed Pearl Harbour it wasn't alone in the attack, the Swordfish on the other hand went into Taranto on its own.

The B5N1/2 'Kate' looks more modern but it wasn't any better than the Swordfish.

*edit* The Swordfish actually carried a larger bomb-load than the B5N2. The B5N2 carried a single 1764-lb torpedo or three 250-lb bombs, the Swordfish Mk.I could carry a single 1,610-lb torpedo or a 1,500-lb mine or 1,500-lb bombs (2 500-lb under fuselage and one 250-lb under each wing, or 1 500-lb under fuselage and 1 500-lb under each wing).

DerAdlerIstGelandet · 04-09-2007, 10:05 AM

The swordfish was a fabric covered biplane...

That is what I meant by protection.

The Kate was more maneuverable and had better performance and this thread is about Torpedo Bomber so who cares about mines, bombs and rockets.

plan_D · 04-09-2007, 10:14 AM

The B5N2 had no defensive armour or self-sealing fuel tanks, it was no more survivable than the Swordfish. Range and speed of the B5N2 were superior to the Swordfish, while the Swordfish was more stable at the slower speeds during the torpedo run.

View Poll Results: Which of the following was the best carrier based torpedo bomber prior to 1942
Nakajima B5N "Kate"	17	54.84%
TBD Devastator	1	3.23%
Fairey Swordfish	11	35.48%
Fieseler Fi 167	2	6.45%
Voters: 31. You may not vote on this poll

04-08-2007, 09:23 PM	#1
syscom3 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 10,814	Best Pre 1942 Carrier Torpedo Bomber Heres the four choices. __________________ "Pilot to copilot..... what are those mountain goats doing up here in the clouds?"

04-08-2007, 09:41 PM	#2
lesofprimus Minister of Whoopass Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Long Island Native in Mississippi Posts: 18,465	Interesting u broke it down to pre-1942... Would have liked to seen the comparisons between the generations... __________________ My IL2 Video Tribute to My Grandfather: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HtzN5RuNNJk My 1/32nd Rendition of His Corsair: http://www.ww2aircraft.net/forum/2-p...3-a-20416.html

04-08-2007, 10:12 PM	#3
syscom3 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 10,814	Les, I figured that 1942 was the year when everyone learned that slow moving torpedo planes were highly vulnerable to AA. Plus as the number of enemy ships decreased, the torpedo bombers had to be able to adapt to new missions. For me, the "Kate" was the best as it lugged the larger of the torpedo's and performed its mission well. I will post another poll for 1943-45 after we discuss this one. __________________ "Pilot to copilot..... what are those mountain goats doing up here in the clouds?"

04-09-2007, 12:12 AM	#4
Desert Fox Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Great Southern Land Posts: 436	I'd say the Fairey Swordfish. For a biplane, it did some amazing things in the sky during that time, like sinking the Bismark. That was a big achievement for a supposedly obsolescent aircraft. __________________ "Courage is doing what you are afraid to do. There can be no courage unless you are scared." - Eddie Rickenbacker

04-09-2007, 05:25 AM	#5
Typhoon Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 4	The Swordfish also sunk the Italian Battleships as well. Being the first carrier attack on Battleships.

04-09-2007, 06:20 AM	#6
FLYBOYJ IP/Mech THE GREAT GAZOO Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Colorado, USA Posts: 16,881	Based on performance and equipment, it's the Kate. Based on accomplishment, I'd go with the Swordfish, but the Kate is close behind - a good poll! __________________ > I Support Doug Gillis < Last edited by FLYBOYJ; 04-09-2007 at 06:24 AM.

04-09-2007, 06:38 AM	#7
lesofprimus Minister of Whoopass Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Long Island Native in Mississippi Posts: 18,465	Then why'd u vote for the Devastator then Joe??? __________________ My IL2 Video Tribute to My Grandfather: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HtzN5RuNNJk My 1/32nd Rendition of His Corsair: http://www.ww2aircraft.net/forum/2-p...3-a-20416.html

04-09-2007, 08:11 AM	#8
DerAdlerIstGelandet Der Crewchief Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Ansbach, Germany Posts: 34,086	Got to vote for the Kate. Who cares about what the Swordfish accomplished. It was not the better of the two aircraft. The Kate was faster, better protected, more maneuverable and able to perform the mission better. If you wish to talk about accomplishments it is still the Kate. 2 Words.... Pearl Harbor. __________________ fly boy:"isnt that the first jet bomber becasue i have flown one in a flight sim before and i know how it handles"

04-09-2007, 08:13 AM	#9
Gnomey "World Traveller" Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Royal Deeside/St Andrews, Scotland, UK Posts: 16,540	Agreed Adler. I would of voted for the Swordfish if the Kate hadn't been in the poll but the Swordfish despite what it accomplished was not the best at this time. __________________ "Success is not Final, Failure is not Fatal, it is the Courage to Continue that Counts" Sir Winston Churchill "To him the People of the World Largely owe the Freedom and Liberties they Enjoy Today" Enscription on Hugh Dowding's (AOC Fighter Command 1936-40) statue in London WW2 Talk: A WW2 Discussion Forum My Photo Collections on Flickr

04-09-2007, 08:49 AM	#10
DerAdlerIstGelandet Der Crewchief Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Ansbach, Germany Posts: 34,086	I hate to say it but I dont really think it was the best at any point of the war. __________________ fly boy:"isnt that the first jet bomber becasue i have flown one in a flight sim before and i know how it handles"

04-09-2007, 09:24 AM	#12
DerAdlerIstGelandet Der Crewchief Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Ansbach, Germany Posts: 34,086	Uhuh just admit it, you thought you could get away with it. You sly little fox! __________________ fly boy:"isnt that the first jet bomber becasue i have flown one in a flight sim before and i know how it handles"

04-09-2007, 09:41 AM	#13
plan_D Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 11,978	The B5N1/2 were no better protected than the Fairey Swordfish, defensive armament on both was a single light machine-gun. The Swordfish had a more diverse weapons collection, the 'Kate' could only carry torpedos and bombs in no greater weight than the Swordfish loading. The Swordfish could carry torpedo, bombs, mines and rockets; the latter two being something the 'Kate' never carried. The Swordfish sank more tonnage than the 'Kate'. The Swordfish III was deployed with the Mk.X ASV radar which was superior to that on any 'Kate'. While the 'Kate' spear-headed Pearl Harbour it wasn't alone in the attack, the Swordfish on the other hand went into Taranto on its own. The B5N1/2 'Kate' looks more modern but it wasn't any better than the Swordfish. edit The Swordfish actually carried a larger bomb-load than the B5N2. The B5N2 carried a single 1764-lb torpedo or three 250-lb bombs, the Swordfish Mk.I could carry a single 1,610-lb torpedo or a 1,500-lb mine or 1,500-lb bombs (2 500-lb under fuselage and one 250-lb under each wing, or 1 500-lb under fuselage and 1 500-lb under each wing). __________________ "When you go home tomorrow, don't expect anyone to know what you have been through. Even if they did know, most people probably wouldn't care anyway. Some of you may get the medals you deserve, many more of you will not. But remember this, all of you are now members of the front-line club, and that is the most exclusive club in the world." - Lt. Col. Matthew Maer CO 1st Battalion, the Princess of Wale's Royal Regiment. Camp Abu Naji, Oct. 2004 To those in that club. Last edited by plan_D; 04-09-2007 at 09:45 AM. Reason: Addtional Information

04-09-2007, 10:05 AM	#14
DerAdlerIstGelandet Der Crewchief Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Ansbach, Germany Posts: 34,086	The swordfish was a fabric covered biplane... That is what I meant by protection. The Kate was more maneuverable and had better performance and this thread is about Torpedo Bomber so who cares about mines, bombs and rockets. __________________ fly boy:"isnt that the first jet bomber becasue i have flown one in a flight sim before and i know how it handles"

04-09-2007, 10:14 AM	#15
plan_D Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 11,978	The B5N2 had no defensive armour or self-sealing fuel tanks, it was no more survivable than the Swordfish. Range and speed of the B5N2 were superior to the Swordfish, while the Swordfish was more stable at the slower speeds during the torpedo run. __________________ "When you go home tomorrow, don't expect anyone to know what you have been through. Even if they did know, most people probably wouldn't care anyway. Some of you may get the medals you deserve, many more of you will not. But remember this, all of you are now members of the front-line club, and that is the most exclusive club in the world." - Lt. Col. Matthew Maer CO 1st Battalion, the Princess of Wale's Royal Regiment. Camp Abu Naji, Oct. 2004 To those in that club.

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