TBF-1 possible in Battle of Miday

[SOLIDKREATE]

VT-8 was the first operationally ready unit to receive the TBF-1 in March 1942. This would make for a good 'Collector Plane' to compliment the TBD-1.

 

 

MORE REFERENCE READING: https://theamericanwarrior.com/2015/06/04/escape-to-midway/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

VT-8's first and best-known combat mission came during the Battle of Midway on 4 June 1942. Flying obsolete Douglas TBD Devastators, all of Commander John C. Waldron's 15 planes were shot down during their unescorted torpedo attack on Japanese aircraft carriers. The squadron failed to damage any Japanese carriers or destroy enemy aircraft.

Only one member of VT-8 who flew from Hornet on that day survived in the action, Ensign George Gay. Ensign Gay was rescued the day following the battle. Torpedo 8 was afterwards awarded the American Presidential Unit Citation.

Torpedo 8 was the first squadron equipped with the new Grumman TBF-1 Avenger, a bigger, faster, longer-ranged replacement for the TBD. When Hornet sailed to the Pacific, a detachment of the squadron under the command of Lt. Harold "Swede" Larson remained in Norfolk, Virginia to receive the first shipment of the new aircraft. Larson's detachment arrived at Pearl Harbor the day after Hornet sailed for Midway. Six of the squadron's Avengers were flown to Midway under the command of Lt. Langdon K. Fieberling to participate in the battle. These planes were the first Navy aircraft to attack the Japanese fleet that day. They attacked without fighter cover, and five of the Avengers were shot down, with only Ensign Albert K. Earnest and CDR (then Radioman 2/c) Harry Ferrier's surviving, on a badly shot-up plane with damaged controls and landing gear, and a dead rear-gunner.

A list of the fallen:

• Lt. Commander John C. Waldron
• Lt. Raymond A. Moore
• Lt. James C. Owens, Jr.
• Lt.(jg) George M. Campbell
• Lt.(jg) John P. Gray
• Lt.(jg) Jeff D. Woodson
• Ens. William W. Abercrombie
• Ens. William W. Creamer
• Ens. Harold J. Ellison
• Ens. William R. Evans
• Ens. Henry R. Kenyon
• Ens. Ulvert M. Moore
• Ens. Grant W. Teats
• Robert B. Miles, Aviation Pilot 1c
• Horace F. Dobbs, Chief Radioman
• Amelio Maffei, Radioman 1
• Tom H. Pettry, Radioman 1
• Otway D. Creasy, Jr. Radioman 2
• Ross H. Bibb, Jr., Radioman 2
• Darwin L. Clark, Radioman 2
• Ronald J. Fisher, Radioman 2
• Hollis Martin, Radioman 2
• Bernerd P. Phelps Radioman 2
• Aswell L. Picou, Seaman 2
• Francis S. Polston, Seaman 2
• Max A. Calkins, Radioman 3
• George A. Field, Radioman 3
• Robert K. Huntington, Radioman 3
• William F. Sawhill, Radioman 3

Pilots of VT-8's Avenger detachment lost:

• Lt. Langdon K. Fieberling, Commanding
• Ensign O.J. Gaynier
• Ensign V.A. Lewis
• Ensign C. E. Brannon
• William C. Lawe, (AM3c) - volunteer gunner on C.E. Brannon's TBF-1 Avenger
• AMM1c D. D. Woodside

VT-8's losses have been attributed to several causes. Hornet's CAG, Stanhope C. Ring, kept the group's fighter escort at high altitude in order to cover the dive bombers and to give the Wildcats an altitude advantage. This decision was supported by Admiral Marc Mitscher, then commanding officer of Hornet.^[1] Ring also led the group on an incorrect heading, so the dive bombers never made contact with the Japanese fleet. Commander Waldron made repeated attempts to take over the formation by radio before leading VT-8 off on his own.^[1] Waldron's initiative coupled with Ring's faulty tactics led to VT-8 attacking the Japanese force without fighter or dive bomber support. It is important to note, however, that all of the carrier-based torpedo squadrons suffered heavily in the battle, including VT-3, which attacked with fighter escort.

Larson's detachment of VT-8 that remained at Pearl Harbor was loaded aboard USS Saratoga when she was sent to reinforce the forces at Midway. They were later transferred to Hornet where they learned of the loss of their comrades. VT-8 was reconstituted with this detachment as nucleus, and was reassigned to Saratoga.

Edited April 16, 2017 by 10.N./ZG1_SPEKTRE76

[Dutchvdm]

I would love to fly that plane. I saw one in real life in NY and it was very impressive.

 

Grt M

[6./ZG26_5tuka]

As much as I love the TBF I don't think it makes sense to be put in as a collector plane. It saw widespread service threwtout the pacific campaign and is well suited as a standard aircraft in the main lineup (not only for Midway but all scenarios to follow).

The Devastator is better suited as a collectors plane in my opinion since it was withdrawn from service during the campaign and had a more special status.

Edited September 22, 2016 by 6./ZG26_5tuka

[SOLIDKREATE]

Yes, that is true however it was not as 'plentiful' as the TBD was during that battle. I believe VT-8 is the only that I have ever seen who received them so early.

[II/JG17_HerrMurf]

TBF's are excellent AC but I agree, it would be better suited as a standard aircraft in a later release. TBD's are clunky but appropriate and someone said it actually did well as both a torpedo and level bomber until the TBF arrived with numbers later in the war - outside of the obvious disaster at Midway. I don't know much about them but have the Squadron Signal "In Action" ordered up already.

[6./ZG26_5tuka]

Yes, that is true however it was not as 'plentiful' as the TBD was during that battle. I believe VT-8 is the only that I have ever seen who received them so early.

If Wikipedia is to be believed a couple of SB2U Vindicators of the Marine Corps also fought over Midway, so it also seals the deal as a premium (although I'm unsure how much appeal it would really have since it's not reall better than the SBD Dauntless).

[ioh_]

TBF is probably one of my favorite aircraft from WWII. It took some real bravery to pilot those things against mountains of AA & enemy fighters.

[SOLIDKREATE]

Updated emblem in post #1 to actual real emblem in color. Recreated by yours truly.

Edited April 16, 2017 by 10.N./ZG1_SPEKTRE76