TBD Devastator
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
The TBD Devastator was a torpedo bomber, and the first production carrier-capable monoplane of the United States Navy. First delivered to the fleet in 1937, it was considered technically advanced. [1]
TBD-equipped squadrons took horrendous losses at the Battle of Midway: 37 out of 41 did not return, and none scored a hit. While the airplane was obsolescent, the slaughter of the three torpedo squadrons may have been more characteristic of the absolute need of WWII torpedo bombers to have fighter and diversionary protection unless in a night raid. At Midway, the torpedo squadrons became separated from the air groups, were the first to find the Japanese carriers, and attacked alone.
It was replaced by the TBF Avenger.
References
- ↑ Douglas TBD Devastator - USA, Aviation History