Bombers

Continuing the Bomber thread, after some beautiful update by Sailor.........

However , the concept of Bomber speedily changed during the Second World War , the (1919-1939) 20 years saw rapid change in concept of Bomber, the open cockpit bombers became extinct and new breed of Bombers evolved and classified in the three categories including the sub categories, the result of the bombers being classified and tailor made for Particular role lies in different factors, they are a. Limitation in the power of Engines , therefore resulting the bombers with multiple Engines and b. concept were ahead at that time but technology was not.

The Classifications are therefore:

1. Dive Bombers ( Bombing while Diving towards the target for acquiring accuracy and angle for attack )

2. Light Bomber, Medium Bomber, Heavy Bomber ( Bombing from the sky to the Military installations and Strategic Towns and angles were not important ) in another word they may be called as 'Level Bomber'. The Heavy Bombers in this group can be called as "Strategic Bomber".

3. Torpedo Bombers ( To sink the Naval Flotilla and targeted mainly against Aircraft Carriers )

4. Flying Bomb: Yokosuka MXY-7 Ohka which was purposefully built for Kamikaze Bombing.

Regards

Now I am going to discuss the further about the classifications:

1. Dive Bomber:

This bomber aircrafts designed keeping in view of bombing important targets which may be too small to avoid bombing by the level bombers. However , diving was done to achieve accuracy and attack of angle and limit the exposure to the Anti - Aircraft Fire. This type of Bombers were extensively used in the Second World War (1939-1945), however immediately declined after few years after the end of the World War - II.

The diving bombers used to dive vertically and some time the same route by which the Bomb falls on the target, it had the both positive and negative side:

Positive Side:

1. Bomb accurately placed on the target.

2. No modification on Target Site needed or No Bombsight needed.

3. High Valued Target can be attacked with smaller planes to inflict major damages.

Negative Side:

Extremely vulnerable to the Anti - Aircraft Fire.

However 'Drag' concept were used for solution to the problem, which allowed to slow the pace of Aircraft when situation needed it.


A picture of a Dive Bomber:




An SBD Dauntless dropping its Bomb (Image : Wikipedia)

Regards

The First Custom built Dive Bomber was the US Navy Curtiss F8C Hell Diver Biplane introduced in 1930s:

The image (Wikipedia)



Specifications:


General characteristics

* Crew: 2 (Pilot, observer/rear gunner)
* Length: 27 ft 2 in (8.28 m)
* Wingspan: 38 ft 0 in (11.58 m)
* Height: 10 ft 6 in (3.2 m)
* Wing area: 353 ft² (32.8 m²)
* Empty weight: 2,875 lb (1,304 kg)
* Max takeoff weight: 4,476 lb (2,030 kg)
* Powerplant: 1× Curtiss D-12E (V-1150-5) V-12 liquid cooled engine, 435 hp (324 kW)

Performance

* Maximum speed: 139 mph (223.7 km/h)
* Cruise speed: 110 mph (177 km/h)
* Range: 628 mi (1,010 km)
* Service ceiling: 14,100 ft (4,298 m)
* Rate of climb: 948 ft/min (289 m/min)

Armament

* Guns: 4 × forward-firing .30 in (7.62 mm) Browning machine guns and ×2 flexible 0.30 in (7.62 mm) Lewis machine guns on a Scarff ring.
* Bombs: 200 lb (91 kg) of bombs mounted on lower wing racks.

Regards

Mid 1930's saw the development of the Bomber Aircrafts by the nations that were embroiled into the conflict that brought Crisis to The Civilisation , the second World War ( 1939-1945). I will discuss further the country wise development of the Dive Bombers, here.

The first and foremost was the United States of America.

1. SBD Dauntless (Image: Wikipedia)



General characteristics

* Crew: Two
* Length: 33 ft 1 in (10.08 m)
* Wingspan: 41 ft 6 in (12.65 m)
* Height: 13 ft 7 in (4.14 m)
* Wing area: 325 ft² (30.19 m²)
* Empty weight: 6,404 lb (2,905 kg)
* Loaded weight: 10,676 lb (4,843 kg)
* Max takeoff weight: 10,700 lb (4,853 kg)
* Powerplant: 1× Wright R-1820-60 radial engine, 1,200 hp (895 kW)

Performance

* Maximum speed: 255 mph (410 km/h)
* Range: 773 mi (1,240 km)
* Service ceiling: 25,530 ft (7,780 m)
* Rate of climb: 1,700 ft/min (8.6 m/s)
* Wing loading: 32.8 lb/ft² (160.4 kg/m²)
* Power/mass: 0.11 hp/lb (0.18 kW/kg)


Armament

* Guns:
o 2 × 0.50 in (12.7 mm) forward-firing Browning M2 machine guns in engine cowling
o 1 × 0.30 in (7.62 mm) flexible-mounted Browning machine guns in rear (later versions fitted with 2 × machine guns of the same caliber)
* Bombs: 2,250 lb (1,020 kg) of bombs

Gunner of SBD Dauntless:



Image : Wikipedia, onboard USS Independence, 1943

Regards

SBD Dauntless replaced by Curtiss SB2C Hell diver.

2. Curtiss SB2C Hell diver:



General characteristics

* Crew: Two, pilot and radio operator/gunner
* Length: 36 ft 9 in (11.2 m)
* Wingspan: 49 ft 9 in (15.2 m)
* Height: 14 ft 9 in (4.5 m)
* Wing area: 422 ft² (39.2 m²)
* Empty weight: 10,114 lb (4,588 kg)
* Loaded weight: 13,674 lb (6,202 kg)
* Max takeoff weight: 16,800 lb (7,600 kg)
* Powerplant: 1× Wright R-2600 Cyclone radial engine, 1,900 hp (1,400 kW)

Performance

* Maximum speed: 294 mph (473 km/h)
* Range: 1,200 miles (1,900 km)
* Service ceiling: 25,000 ft (7,600 m)
* Rate of climb: 1,750 ft/min (8.9 m/s)


Armament

* 2 × 20 mm (.79 in) cannon in the wings
* 2 × 0.30 in (7.62 mm) M1919 Browning machine guns in the rear cockpit
* Internal bay: 2,000 lb (900 kg) of bombs or 1 × Mark 13-2 torpedo
* Underwing hardpoints: 500 lb (225 kg) of bombs each



Another image of SBD Dive Bomber :




Image: Wikipedia


Regards

3.SB2A Buccaneer ( Image : Wikipedia)



General characteristics

* Crew: 2: pilot and gunner
* Length: 39 ft 2 in (11.94 m)
* Wingspan: 47 ft 0 in (14.33 m)
* Height: 15 ft 5 in (4.70 m)
* Wing area: 379 ft² (35.2 m²)
* Empty weight: 9,924 lb (4,501 kg)
* Max takeoff weight: 14,289 lb (6,495 kg)
* Powerplant: 1× Wright R-2600-8 radial engine, 1,700 hp (1,268 kW)

Performance

* Maximum speed: 274 mph (238 kn, 441 km/h)
* Range: 1,675 mi (1,455 nmi, 2,696 km)
* Service ceiling: 24,900 ft (7,590 m)

Armament

* Guns:
o 2 × .50 in (12.7 mm) M2 Browning machine guns in fuselage
o 2 × .30 in (7.62 mm) M1919 Browning machine guns in wings
o 2 × .30 in (7.62 mm) flexible rear-mounted .30 machine guns
* Bombs: 1,000 lb (450 kg)


Regards

4. Northrop BT ( Image : Wikipedia)



General characteristics

* Crew: two (pilot and gunner)
* Length: 31 ft 3 in (9.5 m)
* Wingspan: 41 ft 6 in (12.7 m)
* Height: 12.5 ft (3.81 m)
* Wing area: 134.5 ft² (29.63 m²)
* Empty weight: 4,464 lb (2,029 kg)
* Max takeoff weight: 7,060 lb (3,209 kg)
* Powerplant: 1× Pratt & Whitney R-1535-94 Twin Wasp Jr. double row radial air-cooled engine, 825 hp (615 kW)

Performance

* Maximum speed: 222 mph (357 km/h)
* Cruise speed: 192 mph (309 km/h)
* Range: 1,150 mi (999 nmi, 1,850 km)
* Service ceiling: 25,300 ft (7,710 m)

Armament

* 1 × .50 in (12.7 mm) machine gun
* 1 × .30 in (7.62 mm) machine gun
* 1,000 lb (454 kg) of bombs on external wing racks

Regards

5. Northrop A-17 ( Image : Wikipedia)



General characteristics

* Crew: two (pilot and gunner)
* Length: 32 ft (9.8 m)
* Wingspan: 47 ft 9 in (14.6 m)
* Height: 11 ft 10½ in (3.61 m)
* Empty weight: 4,874 lb (2,210 kg)
* Loaded weight: 7,447 lb (3,377 Kg)
* Max takeoff weight: 2,420 lb (1,100 kg)
* Powerplant: 1× Pratt & Whitney R-1535-13 Twin Wasp Jr double row radial air-cooled engine, 750 hp (560 kW)

Performance

* Maximum speed: 206 mph (332 km/h)
* Cruise speed: 170 mph (274 km/h)
* Range: 700 mi (1,127 km)
* Service ceiling: 19,400 ft (5,900 m)

Armament

* 4 × 0.3 in (7.62 mm) fixed forward M1919 Browning machine guns
* 1 × 0.3 in (7.62 mm) trainable rear machine gun
* Internal bay for bombs
* External wing bomb racks (total bomb load 1,200 lb/544 kg)

Regards

The United Kingdom :

1. Blackburn Skua ( Image : Wikipedia)



General characteristics

* Crew: 2
* Length: 35 ft 7 in (10.8 m)
* Wingspan: 46 ft 2 in (14.1 m)
* Height: 14 ft 2 in (4.3 m)
* Wing area: 312 ft² (29.0 m²)
* Empty weight: 5,490 lb (2,490 kg)
* Loaded weight: 8,228 lb (3,730 kg)
* Powerplant: 1× Bristol Perseus XII radial engine, 905 hp (675 kW)

Performance

* Maximum speed: 225 mph (195 kn, 360 km/h) at 6,500 ft (2,000 m)
* Range: 800 mi (700 nmi, 1,300 km)
* Service ceiling: 20,200 ft (6,150 m)
* Wing loading: 26.4 lb/ft² (128 kg/m²)
* Power/mass: 0.11 hp/lb (180 W/kg)

Armament

* Guns:
o 4 × 0.303 in (7.7 mm) forward-firing Browning machine guns
o 1 × 0.303 in (7.7 mm) Lewis or Vickers K machine gun on flexible mount in rear cockpit
* Bombs: 1 × 500 lb (227 kg) semi-armour piercing bomb or 1 × 250 lb (113 kg) semi-armour piercing/ General Purpose bomb and 4 × 40 lb (18 kg) bombs or 8 × 20 lb (9 kg) bombs

Regards

2. Blackburn Roc (Image : Wikipedia)




General characteristics

* Crew: 2
* Length: 35 ft 7 in (10.85 m)
* Wingspan: 46 ft (14.02 m)
* Height: 12 ft 1 in (3.68 m)
* Wing area: 310 ft² (28.8 m²)
* Empty weight: 6,121 lb (2,782 kg)
* Loaded weight: 7,950 lb (3,614 kg)
* Powerplant: 1× Bristol Perseus XII radial engine, 890 hp (664 kW)

Performance

* Maximum speed: 194 kn (223 mph, 359 km/h) at 10,000 ft (3,050 m)
* Range: 704 nmi (810 mi, 1,304 km)
* Service ceiling: 18,000 ft (5,500 m)
* Rate of climb: 1,500 ft/min (7.6 m/s)
* Wing loading: 25.6 lb/ft² (125 kg/m²)
* Power/mass: 0.11 hp/lb (0.18 kW/kg)

Armament

* Guns: 4 × 0.303 in (7.7 mm) Browning machine guns in power operated dorsal turret
* Bombs: 8 × 30 lb (14 kg) bombs[4]

Regards

3. Fairey Barracuda ( Image : Wikipedia)



General characteristics

* Crew: 3
* Length: 40 ft 0 in (12.18 m)
* Wingspan: 47 ft 6 in (14.49 m)
* Height: 15 ft 0 in (4.60 m)
* Wing area: 404.94 ft² (37.62 m²)
* Empty weight: 9,800 lb (4,445 kg)
* Loaded weight: 12,600 lb (5,715 kg)
* Max takeoff weight: 14,080 lb (6,385 kg)
* Powerplant: 1× Rolls-Royce Merlin 32 liquid-cooled V12 engine, 1,640 hp (1,225 kW)

Performance

* Maximum speed: 210 mph (180 kn, 340 km/h) at altitude
* Cruise speed: 195 mph (169 kn, 315 km/h)
* Range: 725 mi (630 nmi, 1,165 km)
* Service ceiling: 21,600 ft (6,585 m)
* Wing loading: 31.1 lb/ft² (151.9 kg/m²)
* Power/mass: 0.13 hp/lb (210 W/kg)

Armament

* Guns: 2 × 0.303 in (7.7 mm) Vickers K machine guns in rear cockpit
* Hardpoints: 5: (two under each wing and one under the fuselage), with a capacity of 1,620 lb (735 kg), equipped to carry:
o 1× torpedo or
o Bombs or
o Depth charges or
o Mines
* Four paratroopers have been deployed from underwing containers on several occasions

Regards

Faiery Barrakuda with Torpedo and ASV Radar. ( Image: Wikipedia)



Regards

Germany :

1. Junkers Ju 87 (Image : Wikipedia)



This Historic Bomber of Luftwaffe changed won many battle in favour of Germany and wrecked havoc in allies.

General characteristics

* Crew: 2
* Length: 11.00 m (36 ft 1.07 in)
* Wingspan: 13.8 m (45 ft 3.30 in)
* Height: 4.23 m (13 ft 10.53 in)
* Wing area: 31.90 m2 (343 ft2 53.09 in2)
* Empty weight: 3,205 kg (7,086 lb)
* Loaded weight: 4,320 kg (9,524 lb)
* Max takeoff weight: 5,000 kg (11,023 lb)
* Powerplant: 1× Junkers Jumo 211D liquid-cooled inverted-vee V12 engine, 1200 PS (1184 hp, 883 kW)
* Propellers: Three-bladed Junkers VS 5 propeller, 1 per engine
o Propeller diameter: 3.4 m (11 ft 1.85 in)

Performance

* Never exceed speed: 600 km/h (373 mph)
* Maximum speed: 242 mph @ 13,410 ft or (390 km/h @ 4,400 m)
* Range: 500 km (311 mi) with 500 kg (1,102 lb) bomb load
* Service ceiling: 8,200 m (26,903 ft) with 500 kg (1,102 lb) bomb load


Armament

* Guns: 2× 7.92 mm MG 17 forward, 1× 7.92 mm MG 15 to rear
* Bombs: Normal load = 1× 250 kg (551 lb) bomb beneath the fuselage and 2× 50 kg (110 lb) bombs underneath each wing.

A video of Junker Ju -87 from Youtube



Regards

2. Henschel Hs 123 ( Image : Wikipedia)



General characteristics

* Crew: 1
* Length: 8.33 m (27 ft 4 in)
* Wingspan: 10.50 m (34 ft 5.5 in)
* Height: 3.20 m (10 ft 6 in)
* Wing area: 24.85 m² (267.49 ft²)
* Empty weight: 1,500 kg (3,307 lb)
* Loaded weight: 2,215 kg (4,884 lb)
* Powerplant: 1× BMW 132Dc 9-cylinder radial engine, 880 hp (656 kW)

Performance

* Maximum speed: 341 km/h at 1200 m (211 mph at 3,900 ft)
* Combat radius: 860 km (533 mi)
* Service ceiling: 9,000 m (29,530 ft)
* Rate of climb: 900 m/min at sea level (2,950 ft/min at sea level)

Armament

* 2× 7.92 mm MG 17 machine guns (field modification of 2× 20 mm (0.79 in) MG FF cannon
* Up to 450 kg (992 lb) of bombs under wings and under fuselage

Regards

Japan:

Aichi D1A (Image: Wikipedia)



General characteristics

* Crew: 2: pilot and gunner
* Length: 9.3 m (30 ft 6⅛ in)
* Wingspan: 11.4 m (37 ft 4¾ in)
* Height: 3.41 m (11 ft 2¼ in)
Wing area: 34.7 m²
Empty weight: 1,516 kg (3,342 lb)
Loaded weight: 2,500 kg
Max takeoff weight: 2,610 kg
Powerplant: 1× Nakajima Hikari 1 nine-cylinder radial engine, 730 hp (545 kW)

Performance

* Maximum speed: 309 km/h (171 kn, 192 mph)
* Range: 927 km (498 nmi, 576 mi)
* Service ceiling: 6,980 m (22,900 ft)
* Rate of climb: 6.37 m/s (1,253.94 ft/min)
* Wing loading: 72.0 kg/m² (14.7 lb/ft²)
* Power/mass: 0.22 kW/kg (0.13 hp/lb)

Armament

* Guns: * 2× fixed 7.7 mm (.303 in) Type 92 machine guns
* 1× flexible 7.7 mm (.303 in) Type 92 machine gun
Bombs: * 1× 250 kg (551 lb) bomb under fuselage
2× 30 kg (66 lb) bombs under wings

Regards