Yes, they were very peculiar war workers, but now we will consider exclusively wheeled aircraft. For float torpedo bombers and flying boats, carrying torpedoes, have to make a separate account., since the original machines were invented more than enough.
So - welcome to the world of headache for all floating. And yes, submarines, perhaps, will follow. Really, as much as possible about battleships and aircraft carriers? You might think, they were the only ones fighting...
Who invented the torpedo bomber? Definitely British. In June 1915 Lieutenant Arthur Longmore successfully dropped a 356-mm torpedo from a seaplane. The torpedo did not fall apart, seaplane too. Next, the plane was created, which was originally sharpened for carrying and dropping torpedoes, "Short-184".
12 August 1915 of the year "Short-184" Lieutenant G. TO. Edmons from the Ben Mai Shri hydroair transport for the first time attacked and sank a real target - Turkish transport in Xeros Bay. So torpedo-carrying aircraft appeared in general, with a slight lag behind the fighter and bomber.
And in the times we are considering, and in general, the torpedo bomber became a really terrible weapon. For those, who was able to create appropriate aircraft for this and learn pilots.
so, his majesty torpedo bomber!
1. Savoy-Marchetti SM.84. Italy
That case, when a good idea ran into execution at the “so-so” level in terms of the human factor.
At all, the SM.84 torpedo bomber appeared as a result of an experiment on reworking a fairly decent SM.79 bomber - the first wheeled (and in fact the last) Italian torpedo bomber.
At all, much work has been done on the aircraft. But here is the result... For example: removed the "hump" with the rifle installation and put the Lanciani Delta E turret with a circular field of fire, providing excellent cover from the upper hemisphere. And then, instead of one keel, a two-keel tail unit was installed, which nullified the effect of replacing the rifle turret.
Reinforced armor - had to change engines. Change of reliable, but rather weak Alpha Romeo 126 (750 hp) to more powerful, but also more whimsical Piaggio P.XI RC 40 (1000 hp) made a very small profit.
Nevertheless, the torpedo bomber passed all the tests and was accepted into mass production. The order was for 309 machines, managed to build 249.
The SM.84 became the first Italian land-based torpedo bomber to be built..
Combat use of SM.84 showed, that the plane is not without flaws. Suddenly it turned out, what's new (more powerful) engines pull much worse than the old ones. Handling was also appropriate., affected by a large load on the wing.
Nevertheless, SM.84 even fought, starting the hunt for convoys, going to North Africa. The first victory was celebrated on the night of 14 on 15 November 1941 of the year, when two transport ships were sunk by torpedoes «Empire Defender» and «Empire Pelican» with a total tonnage of over 10 000 brt.
Then everything was more modest, because the British, bringing aircraft carriers into the Mediterranean, effectively neutralizing the actions of Italian naval aviation. The losses of the SM.84 were simply horrendous and the pilots gradually began to abandon torpedo bombers and in 1942 year began the reverse process of re-equipment with multipurpose bombers SM.79 (and with 1943 year and on SM.79bis). By the end 1943 years SM.84 were in service with only one group, and by the end of the year, SM.84 ceased its service as a torpedo bomber.
dignity: increased survivability, thanks to three engines.
disadvantages: hard to manage
2. Nakajima B5N. Japan
Yes, it was this old samurai who sank American battleships in the harbor of Pearl Harbor. But in essence, at the time of the outbreak of the war, it was already a very outdated aircraft.
Wing folding mechanical drive, fixed pitch propeller, archaic flap mechanism. There was no oxygen equipment. There was no armor. But very simply, by replacing the suspension nodes, the torpedo bomber turned into a bomber.
The pilot sat in front, and, I had to come up with a mechanism for lifting the seat during takeoff and landing, to provide some overview. The navigator / scorer / observer was located in the second cockpit facing forward and had a small window on both sides of the fuselage, to monitor the amount of fuel through the measuring windows in the wings.
The sighting equipment was under the floor and to drop the torpedo it was necessary to open the doors in the cabin floor. The gunner/radio operator was in the compartment farthest from the pilot, along with the gun, which was exhibited in a special window if necessary.
Here in this form B5N1 first entered the Imperial Navy (1937 g) as a torpedo bomber, which remained until 1944 of the year. B5N1 entered history in 1941 year.
The B5N1 and its modifications carried torpedoes and hurled them at Allied ships across the Pacific from the Hawaiian Islands, coral sea, Solomon Islands and all over the war map.
TO 1944 year, the Allied Air Force received not only quantitative, but also qualitative superiority over Japanese aircraft. B5N in any case became a victim of American fighters, and its use in its usual form was no longer discussed.
And in October 1944 in the Philippines, the first part of suicide kamikaze was formed, who took part in the battle in Leyte Gulf precisely on the B5N. Happened, and further B5N was used in the battles for Iwo Jima and Okinawa.
dignity: easy to manage, easy to manufacture
disadvantages: defensive armament, general obsolescence.
3. Heinkel Ne-111H. Germany
Choosing between Non-111, Ju-88 and FW-190, which were used as torpedo bombers, definitely Non-111 looks more preferable. "Junkers" was produced in negligible quantities, and I personally consider the Focke-Wulf an ersatz of a normal bomber / torpedo bomber.
So we have very serious guys in a serious car.. in a very serious, because the Non-111 had everything, what is needed for happiness, i.e, to complete a combat mission.
What is the 111th, everyone already knows. armor, capacity, plus very hard to beat, since only the American "fortresses" have more trunks.
By itself, the Non-111 went into series in 1938 year, but its torpedo version appeared a little later and almost by accident. PVC holders were installed on the modification of Non-111H-4 1006, which allowed to carry not only bombs, but also LT F5b torpedoes. Naturally, the plane was tested for transferring torpedoes from point A to point B and dropping them towards some ship.
It revealed, that everything turns out just fine. For long-distance flights, one additional gas tank was provided for 835 l in the fuselage and two outboard 300 l. With a full supply of fuel and 1000 kg load aircraft had a range of about 3000 km.
But if it was not necessary to fly such a distance, then it was possible to hang two torpedoes. Arctic convoys remembered this for a long time. The following modifications increased the weight of the machine, he stepped behind 14 tonnes, and the payload in the form of torpedoes - up to 2500 kg. In addition to torpedoes, the 111th could well carry bombs, and - not least - mines.
In reality, the car was used as a day and night bomber, minelayer and torpedo bomber, less often - as a transport aircraft. Not 111N-6 was popular with pilots and was easy to control even at maximum load.. He had good handling, excellent stability and maneuverability. Armor and armament (especially in the first half of the war) made Non-111N a very difficult target.
The aircraft fought in all naval theaters, from the Arctic to the Mediterranean. These torpedo bombers account for more than one ship, sent to the bottom. true, Heinkel pilots could not boast of victories over battleships.
dignity: controllability, weaponry, bomb-load
disadvantages: perhaps, that there is.
4. Grumman TBF (TBM) «Avenger». USA
The paradox is, that Grumman had never developed torpedo bombers before. But deck fighters, from the biplane FF-1 to the F4F, the Wildcat has taken its place in US Navy Air Force history.
It is not surprising, that the developed torpedo bomber acquired some features that make it similar to the Wildket family aircraft.
The first prototype was lost during testing., but the second made its first flight 15 December 1941 of the year, shortly after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor and in connection with this received his name - Avenger (Avenger). The aircraft successfully passed all stages of testing and was put into service..
note, that the Avenger was an airplane, on which, from the very first series, they began to install the ASB radar. radar antenna mast «air-to-surface» type B (PLEASE) It was mounted under each wing on its external panels. Radar equipment was installed in the radio operator's compartment, which was entrusted with the duties of observing the space with the help of radar.
We can not say, that the first sorties of the Avengers were successful. "Zero" calmly dealt with torpedo bombers, if the escort fighters could not interfere. true, worth mentioning, that in the same way American fighters dropped Japanese torpers into the water.
A few words about the sore point of the Avengers. As strange as it sounds, but the sore spot of a very successful and sophisticated torpedo bomber was ... a torpedo!
Standard naval aviation torpedo, Mk 13, was too slow and unreliable. It was because of her that the attacks of torpedo bomber pilots very often turned out to be inconclusive.. Failures and malfunctions are common, but the main headache of the Avenger pilots was, that it was necessary to drop a torpedo from a height of no more 100 feet (30 m) and at a speed no more 200 kmh.
clear, that under such conditions the crews of the Avengers became easy prey for the anti-aircraft gunners of those ships, which were attacked.
Above all, Torpedo Mk 13 was so slow (33 host), that he couldn't avoid it, perhaps, only battleship or aircraft carrier. For more maneuverable ships, this maneuver was not a problem..
But in general, the Avenger was a very practical aircraft.. His equipment was impressive.. oxygen system, which could be used by any member of the crew, autonomous petrol heaters, great emergency kit from Mark's lifeboat 4 type D, which was stored in the upper part of the fuselage between the navigator's cockpit and the rifle turret, first aid kit, rescue radio, potable water containers, naval flares, M-8 smoke grenades, rope to hold them, emergency hand pump, two oars, fishing set, lighters, knife, coil of rope, chrome plate to reflect light and more, up to pills to repel sharks.
The Avenger took part in all operations of the US Navy from 1942 of the year. It was the Evager torpedoes that tore the sides of the Yamato and Musashi, went to many ships of a lower class.
It turned out, judging by the LTH, very good sea horse.
dignity: good design, good flight characteristics.
disadvantages: weak defensive weapons, weak torpedo.
5. Fairey «Swordfish». United Kingdom
Probably, "specialists" are ready to laugh. What did this archaic biplane forget here?
Well, just that, that he is rightfully presented by me as the best Allied torpedo bomber of World War II. Yes, no matter how amazing it may sound, but these biplanes sank so many ships ... More than any of the entire Allied aviation.
"Swordfish" won the whole war, no matter how crazy it looks. But it's a fact. And became the best destroyer of ships.
Before the start of the war, the company managed to build 692 Aircraft, based on aircraft carriers «Ark Royal», «Coreidges», «Eagle», «Gloris» and «Furies». It wasn't better anyway, so the stubborn British fought with that, what happened.
Already 5 April 1940 of the year «coordfish» from «Furies» launched the first air torpedo attack on German destroyers in Trondheim Bay in World War II. One of the torpedoes hit the target, but didn't explode.
A week later, the crew of Lieutenant Rais destroyed the submarine U-64 in Berwick Fjord with high-explosive bombs.
At all, "swordfish" fought in all theaters, where were the British aircraft carriers.
There were also losses. The Germans retaliated, when «Şarnxorst» and «Gneyzenaw» sunk an aircraft carrier «Gloris», with which two divisions went under water «Swordfish».
Taranto, predated Pearl Harbor, was also organized by Swordfish. The crews of these machines inflicted 11 November, a decisive blow to the main forces of the Italian fleet, concentrated in the bay of the port of Taranto. Torpedoes hit three battleships, two cruisers and two destroyers. battleships «Conte di Cavour» and «Littorio», typing water, settled on the ground. Other ships «got off» large holes and many months of repairs in dry docks. The British lost two planes, and Italy supremacy in the Mediterranean.
It was the Swordfish torpedoes that hit the Bismarck and deprived him of control at first, and then move.
but to 1942 the plane was catastrophically outdated and in 10 cases of 10 became the prey of enemy fighters. And then something happened, what was supposed to happen: "Swordfish" has turned from a torpedo bomber into an anti-submarine aircraft, as which he fought until the very end of the war, hunting down german submarines.
Putting a radar on this plane was not an easy task.. But the British managed, and placed a radio-transparent radar antenna radome placed on the Mk.III between the main landing gear, а саму РЛС — в кабине, вместо третьего члена экипажа.
Самые впечатляющие достижения «Суордфишей» зафиксированы при охране конвоя RA-57, идущего в Мурманск. Бипланы, которым место в музее, most reliably sent to Neptune three German submarines: U-366, U-973 and U-472.
It was a wonderful plane... Despite the complete lack of strengths, it was a very efficient aircraft.
dignity: no.
disadvantages: speed, weak arms, outdated design.
6. Handley Page «Hampden». United Kingdom
If Swordfish can safely be called a fossil monster, then "Hampden" is also a monster. But not a fossil. Just a monster, хотя это изобрели как бы на смену «Суордфишу». Did not work out, if in my opinion. Но эта ошибка эволюции повоевала на нашей стороне, потому я решил поставить его в один рад с другими самолетами.
«Летающий чемодан», "Handle from the pan", "Tadpole" - there is nothing pleasant in these nicknames. Alas, the plane was suitable. He was supposed to replace "Suodfish", and become faster, strong and so on. На деле же получилось вот что: пытаясь загнать в рамки Вашингтонских соглашений, британские конструкторы породили это. Узкое, длинное и тонкое.
Of course, было за что критиковать, but there were also positives.. The plane had simply incomparable visibility for a pilot, what is for the navigator. But the arrows were literally squeezed in there, where the developers failed to insert towers. Because the shooters with twin 7.7-mm Vickers made up the entire defense of the Hampdens. If add then, that the shelling sectors were very so-so, the, probably, not surprising, what from 1430 aircraft were lost 709.
Hampden fought. On all TVD, and without any notable success. We even noted. Некоторое количество самолетов из 144-й и 455-й эскадрилий были отправлены в СССР на аэродром Ваенга под Мурманском для обеспечения проводки каравана PQ-18.
И британские летчики воевали, а некоторые даже были награждены орденами и медалями СССР. Потом пилоты вернулись обратно в Великобританию, а самолеты подарили союзникам. То есть нам. 23 «Хемпдена» поступили на вооружение 24-го минно-торпедного авиационного полка и провоевали там с октября 1942 to July 1943 of the year.
И тоже без особенных достижений, to be honest.
dignity: overview, speed.
disadvantages: weak defensive weapons, range of.
7. Ильюшин Ил-4Т
Будем честными: IL-4, он же ДБ-3Ф был весьма хорошей, хоть и сложной в управлении машиной. It is a fact. And that, что для этого самолета-торпедоносца у нас не было экипажей, которые смогли бы реализовать в бою его преимущества – тоже нельзя не отметить.
Yes, перед войной у нас были торпедоносцы. Но совершенно не велась подготовка экипажей, therefore, the presence at the beginning of the war in our fleets 133 DB-3 and 88 DB-3F / IL-4 with the complete unavailability of the crews - just not serious.
Unfortunately, laying mines and launching torpedoes began to work out only in April 1941 года со всеми выходящими последствиями. А с началом войны минно-торпедные полки начали использовать как обычные бомбардировщики для ударов по береговым целям. Самолеты бомбили скопления живой силы и техники противника, мосты и переправы, airfields, порты.
За первые два месяца минно-торпедные полки на Балтике и Черном море потеряли 82 Aircraft, t. it is. более половины своего довоенного состава.
From the end 1942 g. в морскую авиацию стали поступать американские бомбардировщики А-20, которые у нас переделывались в торпедоносцы. Машины были серьезные, пусть и предназначенные для других целей. Но когда это в наших краях такое смущало?
На эти машины, более сильно вооруженные и современные, постепенно начали переходить полки на Балтийском и Северном флоте. Но полностью Ил-4 американцы заменить не смогли. У нашего самолета были и преимущества в виде большей дальности полета. On 1 January 1944 g. в строю на западных флотах находились 58 Ил-4 и 55 А-20.
Besides, довольно объемный фюзеляж Ил-4 спокойно вместил в себя радар. Вообще Ил-4 стал первым советским самолетом, equipped not just with a search radar, as well as domestic.
AT 1943 g. Research Institute of the Radio Industry on American Developments Created a Radar «Gneiss-2M», которую испытывали и применяли именно на Ил-4. Плоская передающая антенна располагалась на месте носового пулемета, приемные антенны размещались по бортам фюзеляжа. Оператор сидел на месте стрелка-радиста.
Generally, repeat, успехи минно-торпедных авиаполков во Второй Мировой войне были более чем скромные. Однако это совершенно не умаляет достоинств Ил-4Т, который был ничуть не хуже мировых аналогов. Не повезло с подготовкой экипажей, увы.
dignity: range of, две торпеды.
disadvantages: weak defensive weapons, hard to manage.
Реально очень сложно сказать, какой из самолетов был наиболее крут. I think, that here it was precisely the preparation and «frostbite» crews. the, что творили японцы и американцы на Тихом океане вообще очень сложно уравнять с весьма скромными успехами морских летчиков других стран. Но посмотрим, What will readers…
sources: работы Е. Aranova, AT. Шункова, A. Shirokorad. A photo: сайт airwar.ru.
/Roman Skomorokhov, topwar.ru/
