Author Topic: The BEAST! (Read 196 times)

oboe · « **on:** February 28, 2002, 07:39:33 AM »

You know you all want it!

Sikboy · « **Reply #1 on:** February 28, 2002, 08:01:39 AM »

My Opinion? Dauntless before Hell-Diver.
Why? Just because lol. the HellDiver would have greater utility in the MA, but we can never do midway without a Dauntless

Guess we know where I stand on "Plane Addition Motivations" lol.
-Sikboy

pimpjoe · « **Reply #2 on:** February 28, 2002, 10:26:39 AM »

lets see some more specs. i know a little about the dauntless not much. but the helldiver i dont know anything about.

Karnak · « **Reply #3 on:** February 28, 2002, 12:09:25 PM »

Dauntless was better than the "Son-of-a-squeak, 2nd class".

This is one of those rare cases where the replacement was not as good as the thing it replaced.

Douglas SBD-5 Dauntless
Type: 2 seat carrier based scout bomber and dive bomber
Engine: 1 1,200hp Wright R-1820-60 Cyclone radial engine
Performance: maximum speed 252mph at 10,000ft; initial climb rate of 1,700ft per minute; service ceiling of 26,000ft; range of 1,115 miles on a bombing mission and 1,565 miles on a scouting mission
Weights: empty weight of 6,535lbs; maximum take off weight of 10,700lbs
Dimensions: span of 41ft 6½in; length of 33ft 1¼in; height of 13ft 7in
Armament: 2 50 cal machining guns fixed in the nose, firing through the propellor; 2 7.62mm flexable maching guns in the rear crewman's position; up to 1,600lbs of bombs under the fuselage and 650lbs of bombs under the wings.

Curtiss SB2C-1C Helldiver
Type: 2 seat carrier based scout bomber and dive bomber
Engine: 1 1700hp Wright R-2600-8 Cyclone radial engine
Performance: maximum speed 281mph at 12400ft; 1,750ft per minute; service ceiling of 22,000ft; 550 miles typical, 1375 miles max
Weights: empty weight of 10,363lbs; maximum take off weight of 17,162lbs
Dimensions: span of 49ft 8½in; length of 36ft 8in; height 13ft 1½in
Armament: 2 20mm Hispano M2 fixed forward-firing in wing leading edge, 400 rounds each; 2 7.62mm trainable rearward-firing in rear cockpit, 1000 rounds each; up to 3,000lb, in a lower fuselage weaponsbay rated 2,000lb and 2 wingmounted hardpoints rated 500lb; 1 2,167lb Mk 13-2 torpedo

On paper the Helldiver looks much better, but its performance was so bad that the crews considered the Dauntless to be superior.

brady · « **Reply #4 on:** February 28, 2002, 12:18:43 PM »

I would much rather see a Grace.

oboe · « **Reply #5 on:** February 28, 2002, 02:44:35 PM »

Karnak! Shame on you! Comparing the last generation SBD specs to a first generation SB2C is misleading. You must work in marketing?

Here are the specs for the SB2C-4, which fits right in with AH's latewar bias (at least the former late-war bias).

Curtiss SB2C-1C Helldiver
Type: 2 seat carrier based scout bomber and dive bomber
Engine: 1 1900hp Wright R-2600-20 Cyclone radial, 4 blade prop
Performance: maximum speed 295 mph at 16700ft; 1,800ft per minute; service ceiling of 29,100ft; 1165 miles
Weights: empty weight of 10,547lbs; maximum take off weight of 16,616lbs
Dimensions: span of 49ft 9in; length of 36ft 8in; height 13ft 2in
Armament: 2 20mm Hispano M2 fixed forward-firing in wing leading edge, 400 rounds each;1 .50 cal trainable rearward-firing in rear cockpit, in a lower fuselage weaponsbay rated 2,000lb and 2 wingmounted hardpoints rated 500lb; 1 2,167lb Mk 13-2 torpedo, can also carry 8x5in rockets on underwing hardpoints.

Its faster than the SBD, climbs better, carrys more ordnance, can carry a torpedo, can carry rockets, its armed with 20mm for strafing. All that, and looks too!

By the -4, the kinks were worked out and this a/c gave solid service into the early 50's.

Total SB2Cs produced: 7200 Total SBDs produced: 5937

Jester · « **Reply #6 on:** February 28, 2002, 04:10:53 PM »

Would rather see the JUDY, SBD & STUKA all come out at the same time. The Dive Bombing end is something that is VERY lacking here in AH. Although we often make it up by flying the Fighters heavy it just isn't the same.

The GRACE was never used on the CV's Brady.

fdiron · « **Reply #7 on:** February 28, 2002, 04:20:14 PM »

Does Aces High even have a true dive-bomber? I know the IL2 was a ground attack aircraft, and that the TBF was a torpedo bomber, but I am not sure if either were designed as dive bombers.

superpug · « **Reply #8 on:** February 28, 2002, 06:46:07 PM »

The IL-2 was never suppesed to be a dive bomber. Just a ground assault plane. For strafing and stuff. But it dose have limited capabilities as a diver. I do agree we ne the stuka. Oh yeah the Ju-88 can dive bomber a little but noe very good.