Douglas A-24 Banshee | |
|---|---|
| 国 | 米国 |
| 役割 | ダイブ爆撃機 - スカウト飛行機 |
| ファーストフライ | 1940年5月1日 |
| 構築 | 5639 |
ザ ダグラス SBD ドーントレス ●1940年から1944年にかけてダグラス・エアクラフトによって製造された第二次世界大戦のアメリカ海軍の偵察機と潜水爆撃機でした。SBD(「スカウトボンバーダグラス」)は、1940年半ばから1944年半ばまでアメリカ海軍の主要なキャリア搭載スカウト機と潜水爆撃機でした。SBDはまた、陸上の空軍基地と空母の両方から、アメリカ海兵隊によって飛ばされました。SBDは、1942年6月のミッドウェー海戦で日本の空母に致命的な打撃を与えた爆撃機として最もよく覚えています。このタイプは、この期間中に「遅いが致命的」(SBDのイニシャル付き)というニックネームを獲得しました。
| Douglas A-24B Banshee Walk Around | |
|---|---|
| カメラマン | ウラジーミル・ヤクボフ |
| ローカライズ | アメリカ国立博物館 |
| 写真 | 61 |
関連項目:
| Douglas SBD Dauntless Walk Around | |
|---|---|
| カメラマン | セス・ヘンドリックス |
| ローカライズ | 知りません |
| 写真 | 63 |
| Douglas A-24B | |
|---|---|
| カメラマン | 知りません |
| ローカライズ | 知りません |
| 写真 | 24 |
The Douglas A-24 Banshee was the land-based version of the United States Navy’s famous SBD ドーントレス dive bomber, adapted for use by the U.S. Army Air Forces (USAAF). Manufactured by Douglas Aircraft, the aircraft was a low-wing monoplane designed primarily for the dive-bombing and scouting roles.
Design and Differences from the SBD
The Banshee was essentially the same aircraft as the Dauntless, retaining its rugged construction, perforated split dive brakes on the trailing edges of the wings, and two-person tandem cockpit (pilot and gunner/radio operator). The primary differences were necessary for Army land-based operations:
- Arrestor Hook: The most significant omission was the tail hook used for carrier landings, as the Banshee was not intended for naval carrier service.
- Tail Wheel: The solid rubber tail wheel used for carrier deck landings was often replaced with a pneumatic (air-filled) tire for improved performance on land runways.
- Instrumentation: Army-specific instrumentation and radio equipment were installed.
Armament and Power
The A-24 shared the same potent combination of forward-firing guns, defensive armament, and bomb load as the naval version:
- エンジン： It was typically powered by a Wright R-1820 Cyclone radial engine, with power output ranging from 1,000 hp in early versions (A-24) to 1,200 hp in later models (A-24B).
- Offensive Armament: Two forward-firing .50 caliber machine guns in the cowl, and a bomb cradle designed to swing a large bomb clear of the propeller during a dive. A total bomb load could exceed 1,200 lbs.
- Defensive Armament: Protection was provided by one or two flexible-mounted .30 caliber machine guns operated by the rear gunner.
Service History
While the SBD Dauntless achieved legendary status in the Pacific with the US Navy (earning the nickname “Slow But Deadly”), the A-24 Banshee had a less successful combat career with the USAAF:
- Initial Deployment: Banshees were quickly deployed to the Southwest Pacific theater early in World War II, notably in the defense of Java and New Guinea.
- Combat Vulnerability: Operating without adequate fighter protection and sometimes suffering from worn components, the A-24 proved highly vulnerable to the Japanese Zero fighter. It was soon considered too slow and lacking in armor and self-sealing fuel tanks for frontline attack missions.
- Later Role: Following heavy combat losses, the Banshee was quickly withdrawn from frontline combat duties by mid-1942. It was primarily relegated to training and target-towing roles for the remainder of the war in the United States, though some later A-24B models saw limited action in less-critical combat areas.
再生 : 4731
