A bit of history and interesting facts about the Devastator
Ordered on 30 June 1934, and entered into a US Navy competition for new bomber aircraft to operate from its aircraft carriers, the Douglas entry was one of the winners of the competition.Other aircraft ordered for production as a result of the competition included the Northrop BT-1 which would evolve into the SBD Dauntless, the Brewster SBA and the Vought SB2U Vindicator.
The XTBD Devastator, which flew for the first time on 15 April 1935, marked a large number of "firsts" for the US Navy.It was the first widely used carrier-based monoplane as well as the first all-metal naval aircraft, the first with a totally-enclosed cockpit, the first with power-actuated (hydraulically) folding wings and in these respects the TBD was revolutionary.A semi-retractable landing gear was fitted, with the wheels designed to protrude 10 in (250 mm) below the wings to permit a "wheels-up" landing which might limit damage to the aircraft. A crew of three was normally carried beneath a large "greenhouse" canopy almost half the length of the aircraft. The pilot sat in front; a rear gunner/radio operator took the rearmost position, while the bombardier occupied the middle seat. During a bombing run, the bombardier lay prone, sliding into position under the pilot to sight through a window in the bottom of the fuselage, using the Norden Bombsight.
The normal TBD offensive armament consisted of either a 1,200 lb (540 kg) Bliss-Leavitt Mark 13 aerial torpedo or a 1,000 lb (450 kg) bomb, to be carried semi-recessed into a bomb bay. Alternatively, three 500 lb (230 kg) general-purpose bombs: one under each wing root and one inside the bomb bay, or 12 100 lb (45 kg) fragmentation bombs: six under each wing root, could be carried. This weapons load was often used when attacking Japanese targets on the Gilbert and Marshall Islands in 1942.Defensive armament consisted of a .30 in (7.62 mm) Browning machine gun for the rear gunner. Fitted in the starboard side of the cowling was either a .30 in (7.62 mm) or .50 in (12.7 mm) M2 Browning machine gun.
The powerplant was a Pratt & Whitney R-1830-64 Twin Wasp radial engine of 850 hp (630 kW), an outgrowth of the prototype's Pratt & Whitney XR-1830-60/R-1830-1 of 800 hp (600kW).Other changes from the 1935 prototype included a revised engine cowling and raising the cockpit canopy to improve visibility.
The XTBD had a flat canopy that was replaced on production models by a higher, domed canopy over a rollover bar. Other than requests by test pilots to improve pilot visibility, the prototype easily passed its acceptance trials that took place from 24 April-24 November 1935 at NAS (Naval Air Station) Anacostia and Norfolk bases. After successfully completing torpedo drop tests, the prototype was transferred to the USS Lexington for carrier certification. The extended service trials continued until 1937 with the first two production aircraft retained by the company exclusively for testing.
A total of 129 of the type were purchased by the US Navy's Bureau of Aeronautics (BuAer), and starting from 1937, began to equip the carriers USS Saratoga, Enterprise, Lexington, Wasp, Hornet, Yorktown and Ranger. In prewar use, TBD units were engaged in training and other operational activities and were gradually approaching the end of their useful service life with at least one aircraft being converted to target tug duty. By 1940, the US Navy was aware that the TBD had become outclassed by the fighters and bombers of other nations and a replacement was in the works, but it was not yet in service when the US entered World War II. By then, attrition had reduced their numbers to just over 100 aircraft. The US Navy assigned popular names to its aircraft in late 1941, and the TBD became the Devastator, although its nickname "torpecker" was commonly used.
The TBD is prominently featured in the 1941 film Dive Bomber.
VT6 Attack on wake island on 24 Feb 1942
Here is a copy of the combat report from the wake island attack.
3.The operation was a dive bombing attack, with each plane loaded with one five hundred pound and two one hundred pound bombs.
4.The specific objective was as follows: First Division - Peale Island - radio station, seaplane ramps, beaches, and any planes present, (or oil tank adjacent, in absence of any seaplanes).
Second and Third Division - Mop-up operations on air field to be accomplished a short time after Scouting Six attack. Because of delay, beyond the control of this command, the group did not arrive at the objective until some time after the cruiser bombardment had opened, and it therefore became necessary for the leader of the first division to change his objective and strike the air field, incapacitating any aircraft still on the ground and averting any such threat to the ships of the bombardment group.
5.No enemy aircraft were encountered aside from one four engine patrol seaplane sighted by Ensign D.W. Halsey, USNR, in 6-S-18. He attacked and reported this contact to planes of Fighting Squadron Six who shot it down.
6.All attacks were of the dive bombing type.
7.Launchings of this squadron were commenced at 0545 and when the group rendezvous was completed at 0650 departure was taken. A free cruising formation was taken with Bombing Six next in line astern and above Torpedo Six who led. At 0725 a rapidly expanding AA barrage was sighted dead ahead about twenty or thirty miles. No aircraft were seen. Wake Island was sighted shortly afterward and divisions continued to climb and broke apart to attack separately. The attacks were dive bombing attacks with ripple release of all three bombs. High speed run-ins were started from 18,000 feet twenty miles out with final dive being entered between eight and twelve thousand feet. The first division attacked the air field from the west and was followed by all of Scouting Squadron Six, in turn followed by the second and third divisions of Bombing Squadron Six who came in from the southeast and east respectively. The first division diving toward the east pulled out up sun (about 110° T.), the second division attacked from the east and pulled out to the south, while the third division attacking slightly to the north of the field pulled out to the north and then retired to the east. Since the releases were by ripple drop, dropping was done between four and two thousand feet with pull outs at one thousand feet. In retiring, the second and third division encountered a small patrol type vessel of 120 or 150 feet in length. Two strafing runs were made by all planes. The vessel when abandoned was turning in aimless circles leaving large oil slicks. An approaching destroyer of the bombardment group opened fire and was seen to make at least two direct hits.
8.The dive bombing attack was made with one five hundred pound bomb and two one hundred pound bombs fitted with instantaneous fuses. The fixed .50 caliber and flexible .30 caliber machine guns were used in strafing the surface vessel. Enemy fire was chiefly from machine guns which, judging by holes in planes of the group and bullets recovered, were .30 and .50 caliber. All bursts, some of which were seen to occur as high as 19,000 feet, were apparently from three inch or five inch guns.
9.Evasive action used in the approach was limited to high speed, cloud concealment, and approach from the sun. During retirement frequent radical changes of course and altitude were made in addition to the above actions.
10.Ammunition expended.
500 lb bombs Mk.12 (instantaneous fuse) 18
100 lb bombs Mk.4 ( " " ) 36
.50 caliber (70% AP, 30% tracer) approx. 2200 rds
.30 caliber ( " " ) approx. 1200 rds
11.Results and damage as are shown on attached sketch.
12.Damage to own aircraft was as follows:
6-B-3 BuNo.2186 Several bullet holes in right wing and fuselage.
6-B-6 BuNo.2176 .50 caliber bullet hole in belly and floorboards of the rear cockpit, shattered radio transmitter and tore holes in thin metal shelf above transmitter.
6-S-18 BuNo.2170 Several bullet holes in left wing.
No tanks, armored or otherwise, were struck.
The pilot's protective head plate in 6-B-6 deflected a bullet which might well have fatally wounded the pilot.
13.No deficiencies of aircraft or armament were noted. The anti-aircraft fire was generally erratic and showed no evidence of director control.
Sunk - Two patrol boats, dredges, fuel barges.
Shot down - One four engined seaplane.
Destroyed - Two other four engined seaplanes, fuel oil and gasoline storages, underground hangars, magazines and storehouses.
Captured - A few prisoners.
United States losses - One plane.
next update soon
cheers
Phil
