We seem to have this discussion every couple of years. As far as I've been able to determine, the 6 bomb load out was only done in the MTO and it appears only the 82nd FG had it and it was from roughly December 44. It was only used along with Droop Snoot 38s to level bomb. The theory was the 38s were less vulnerable to flak then the medium bombers being used to attack bridges etc. They were not dive bombing with the 6 bomb load out.
There are photos showing 4 bombs loaded and 2 DTs also.
As for the 2000 pounders. This is from an earlier discussion here too. It was in October 44 that the 9th AF 38s started carrying 1000 pounders regularly. They also carried 2000 pounders on a few occasions. The following is from an e-mail I got from the a 38 driver of the 474th FG talking about the 2000 pounders and the sway braces.
Quote from the late Lloyd Wenzel
"Dan, We always carried full internal fuel on missions and kept tanks full for the reason
you mentioned. With weather in Europe you would never risk running short of fuel. There
was no payload we carried that needed reduced internal fuel-even carried two 2000 lb
bombs a few times. Had to use wooden sway bars that banged up the bird on bomb release
so we didn't do it often and 1k bombs were probably just as effective. Both 2k bombs had
to be dropped together-on pull out, the bomb shackle would come off from g force. We took
off on reserve tank and used enough fuel to make room for the feed -back from the
carburater then switched to drop tanks, then leading edge, main and reserve. The leading
edge tanks had their own boost pumps and a solenoid operated valve--you had to turn off
the main selector to confirm fuel flow. Less time to look for the Hun!!"
