We've got a US torpedo plane already!

[flakbait]

While digging through some of Mr. Baugher's pages, looking for files to swipe and save, I found this about the B-26B:

 

Originally posted by Mr. Baugher on his US Military Aircraft page; B-26B section
The B version introduced self-sealing fuel lines and a rearrangement of various internal equipment
items. The engines were switched back to R-2800-5s. The large propeller spinners were deleted. The
oil cooler air scoop under the engine cowling was enlarged. Torpedo racks underneath the fuselage
were fitted as factory-installed equipment. Fuel supply included two 350-gallon main fuel tanks in the
wings, two 121-gallon auxiliary tanks, and up to four 250-gallon bomb bay ferry tanks, for a total
capacity of 1962 gallons. Normal bomb load consisted of two 2000 lb or 1600 lb bombs, eight
500-pound, sixteen 250 lb, or thirty 100-lb bombs. Maximum short-range bombload was 5200 pounds,
which was seldom carried. This could be two 1600-lb bombs plus a 2000-pound torpedo on the
external rack.

Interesting eh?

Wonder how bad we'll have to pester Pyro to get this stuff installed.....

------------------------
Flakbait
Delta 6's Flight School
"I wanted to go back for another 50 missions, but they ruled it out
because I had a case of malaria that kept recurring. So I had to stay in the
States and teach combat flying. I was shot down by a mosquito! "
Frank Hurlbut, P-38 pilot
 

[funked]

Groooooooovy!!!

[juzz]

This is probably the only time that torpedoes were fired in anger from a Marauder:
 

Midway-based Torpedo Attacks on the Japanese Carrier Striking Force, 4 June 1942

Ten torpedo planes were among the aircraft launched from Midway's Eastern Island airfield as the Japanese raid approached in the early morning of 4 June 1942. Four were Army Air Force B-26 "Marauder" medium bombers, which had been modified to each carry a Navy Mark XIII aerial torpedo. The other six were a detachment of the same Torpedo Squadron Eight (VT-8) that flew from USS Hornet (CV-8). Unlike their shipborne squadronmates, this group operated the newly-introduced TBF-1 "Avenger" torpedo plane, which had much better performance than the older TBD-1 "Devastator".

These ten torpedo planes were the first to encounter the Japanese carrier fleet, soon after 7:00 AM, and they received the intense and deadly attentions of the defending combat air patrol. Only one of the Navy TBFs survived, much shot up with one crewman killed. Two of the four Army planes got through. However, none of the torpedo planes hit a Japanese ship.

 
Battle of Midway, June 1942

Crew of U.S. Army Air Force First Lieutenant James Muri's B-26, who made a torpedo attack on a Japanese aircraft carrier during the early morning of 4 June 1942. The plane had more than 500 bullet holes when it landed at Midway following this action.
1st. Lt. Muri is second from left, in the front row.

U.S. Air Force Photograph.

 

Battle of Midway, June 1942

Rear cockpit and .50 caliber machinegun turret of the only survivor of six Torpedo Squadron Eight (VT-8) Grumman TBF "Avengers" that had attacked the Japanese carrier force in the morning of 4 June 1942. Seaman 1st Class Jay D. Manning, who was operating the .50 caliber machinegun turret, was killed in action with Japanese fighters during the attack. Damage to the turret can be seen in this view.
The plane's pilot was Ensign Albert K. Earnest and the other crewman was Radioman 3rd Class Harry H. Ferrier. Both survived the action.
Ship in the left background is probably USS Ballard (AVD-10).

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the U.S. National Archives.

Photos and captions stolen from U.S Navy History site's Online Library of Selected Images.

[juzz]

Here's another thing to pester for:

 

As German fighter opposition declined, the Marauder crews in the Mediterranean began removing the four package guns. Sometimes the entire installation was removed, while other removed only the guns, leaving the pod housings intact.

I know I'd appreciate the option to trade the four blister guns for some more climb and speed.

[flakbait]

I agree with ya Juzz, I'd like to be able to dump those 4 guns for some extra climb rate. Maybe a few MPH speed too.

------------------------
Flakbait
Delta 6's Flight School
"I wanted to go back for another 50 missions, but they ruled it out
because I had a case of malaria that kept recurring. So I had to stay in the
States and teach combat flying. I was shot down by a mosquito! "
Frank Hurlbut, P-38 pilot
   

[This message has been edited by flakbait (edited 11-27-2000).]

[eskimo]

Good find!

eskimo