wdolson
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Joined: 6/28/2006
From: Near Portland, OR
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quote:
ORIGINAL: treespider
Review of war operation on the European front revealed that the Dauntless lacked a number of vital features. The SBD-3 made those shortcomings good, and was ordered in an increasing number. It featured full self sealing tanks, armor protection for the crew and vital parts, 2 × 0.50 inch (12,7 mm) forward firing guns, 2 × 0.30 inch (7,62 mm) trainable rearward firing guns, removal of flotation devices and other skinning. Its powerplant was 1 × R-1820-52 Cyclone radial, rated at 1,000 hp (746 kW), and it had a length of 32 ft 8 in (9.96 m), empty and maximum take-off weights of 6,345 lb and 10,400 lb (2.878 kg and 4.717 kg) respectively, max level speed of 250 mph (402 km/h), cruising speed of 152 mph (245 km/h) at optimum altitude, max range of 1,580 miles (2.543 km) on a scouting mission, typical range of 1,345 miles (2.165 km) on a bombing mission, initial climb rate of 1,190 ft (363 m) per minute, and service ceiling of 27,100 ft (8260 m)
Number built: 585
I use the SBD-3 because that is what is included in CHS. The SBD-5 had an upgraded engine rated at 1200 hp. For my stats on the SBD I used Command at Sea by Larry Bond...which rated the SBD-3 with a cruise Range of 1260nm, a combat Cruise speed of 170 knots and top speed of 213 knots...
CHS has both the -3 and -5. The -5 is at the bottom of the DB. Slot 249.
Most -3s came from the factory with a single .30 in the rear. Between Coral Sea and Midway, all carrier born SBDs were field modified to have twin .30s. The last few production -3s had twin .30s from the factory.
The -3 was pretty universal in fleet service by the beginning of the war. The -1s had been relegated to the Marines from the beginning and the -2s were passed on to the Marines when the -3s became available. The -1 had a much shorter range than any subsequent models. Extra fuel tanks were added to the -2 and subsequent models.
The -4 was very similar to the -3 except it had a constant speed propeller and a 24 V electrical system (the -3 was 12 V). The -5 was a major change with more power, aerodynamic improvements, and a reflector gunsight in place of the tube sight. The -5 also introduced the ability to carry drop tanks on the wing pylons, as I mentioned yesterday. The -6 came along too late when the SB2C was beginning to become available in large numbers. Most were used for training.
quote:
When you convert Bonne's 1345 statute mile range of the typical bombing range you get 1169 nm which is less than CaS's 1260nm. When you convert the 1260nm range of CaS you get 1449 statute miles which is less than the 1580 miles of Bonne's maximum range.
So I opted to use CaS's numbers which are slightly higher than Bonne's bombing range and slightly less than Bonne's scouting range...
Using 1260nm range with 170knot cruise speed gives an endurance of 511 and results in hex ranges of 8 extended and 6 normal...or 8x60=480 x2 = 960 statute miles and 6x60 = 360 x 2 = 720 statue miles.
That's much further than I had calculated from any source.
Bill
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Cruise Speed Value - 
Now you've made me thirsty and its only lunchtime here...
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