Greatest Carrier-Born Dive Bomber of WW II...

[lm2f]

no corsair?

[Wayne Little]

Mmm, haven't voted...Guess I should have a crack...From such a short list it seems to be no real contest.....The SBD Dauntless!..... it's giant killing efforts at Midway would be a significant high point.

[syscom3]

Wayne, one battle dosen't win a war.

But look at the other big ones it was involved with that it added to its reputation.

Coral Sea
Eastern Solomons
Santa Cruz Islands
Numerous small naval and ground support missions during the fight for Guadalcanal
Numerous small naval and ground support missions during the fight up the Solomon Islands
Rabaul
Tarawa
Kwajelein
Eniwetok
Marianas
Hollandia.

Now someone tell me about the other dive bombers that had such a sterling naval record?

[Wildcat]

Sys, can you tell me why the USAAF never favoured dive bombers in WWII?

[syscom3]

I think it was because of their high vulnerability to fighters and AAA, plus they were specialized aircraft.

The A-24's used by the AAF in New Guinie didnt have a good record, and that sealed their fate.

[Wildcat]

The A-24 losses may have been a big influence, however if you look at the Vengeance wing that was deployed by the RAAF in late 43 early 44 over New Guinea you'll see they were making pinpoint attacks on jungle targets for very little losses- yet Gen Kenney ordered them out much to the surprise of the RAAF. I've never understood this attitude seeing as the Vengeance was possibly the must accurate bomber in New Guinea at the time.

[ratdog]

i say the cat,
not really a "dive" bomber, but still sank a quite a few ships between recon missions

[ratdog]

sry, otherwise i vote for the sbd

[Wayne Little]

Originally Posted by syscom3

Wayne, one battle dosen't win a war.

But look at the other big ones it was involved with that it added to its reputation.

Coral Sea
Eastern Solomons
Santa Cruz Islands
Numerous small naval and ground support missions during the fight for Guadalcanal
Numerous small naval and ground support missions during the fight up the Solomon Islands
Rabaul
Tarawa
Kwajelein
Eniwetok
Marianas
Hollandia.

Now someone tell me about the other dive bombers that had such a sterling naval record?

Of course Sys., totally agree with you!.....simply pointing out but one that immediately came to mind amongst many....

[Burmese Bandit]

"My body lies under the ocean.
My body lies under the seeeeeaaaa...
My body lies under the ocean,
Wrapped up in an SB2C!!!

Oh bring back, bring back,
bring back my Douglas to me, to meeeee...
bring back, ooooh brinnnng baaaack...
bring back my Douglas to meee!!!!"

Actual ditty sung by carrier pilots during the war, showing what they thought of the Curtiss (SB2C = son of a bitch second class was their verdict) and how much they loved their Douglas...