I think our SBD-5 is actually a -1 or -2. Everything I can find indicates that, except for the .50's in the cowling instead of the early models' .30 cals.
The -3 added .50's.
If we have -5's, then I have no idea what we could do to correct the ordinance deficiency (1000 lbs less than the SBD-5's historical bombload). I see reports that a 1,600 lb AP bomb would occasionally be loaded centerline with 2 x 325 lb GP bombs loaded on wings. Would at least let it get picked occasionaly over the TBM's that are the preferred ride in almost every situation where you need CV ordinance delivered by dedicated light bombers if we had something close to that.
Of course...real-life situations where you're launching from a deck of a carrier often meant flying with less ordinance than what the manufacturer 'listed' as the aircraft's max payload. Perhaps that's what we're seeing here...
Douglas Aircraft Company, El Segundo, California, and Tulsa, Oklahoma.Type: Carrier-based scout, dive-bomber.
Accommodation: Pilot and observer rear gunner.
Power plant: One 1,200 hp Wright R-1820-60.
Dimensions: Span, 41 ft 6~ in length, 33 ft O~ in; height, 12 ft II in; wing area, 325 sq ft.
Weights: Empty, 6,675 Ib; gross, 10,855 lb.
Performance: Max speed, 245 mph at 15,800 ft; cruising speed, 144 mph; initial climb, 1,190 ft mm; service ceiling, 24,300 ft; range, 1,100 St miles.
Armament: Two fixed forward-firing 050-in guns; two flexible dorsal 030-in guns.
Up to 1,600 lb external under fuselage and two 325 lb under wings._____________________________
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I wonder if we could either increase the payload, or remove the .50's for .30's instead and re-designate it SBD-1 instead of -5 for accuracy.
