Why no SBD's yet? ...
Tue Sep 16, 2025 8:28 pm
The USS Hornet (CV-8) alongside Pier 7 at the Naval Operating Base in Norfolk, February 1942, just before her departure for the war zones.
Her air group was composed of Grumman F4F-4 Wildcats (VF-8), Curtiss SBC-4 Helldivers (VS-8 & VB-8), and Douglas TBD-1 Devastators (VT-8).
The ship is painted in Measure 12 (MOD.) camouflage, designed to provide better concealment during wartime operations.
What I found: "At the time of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor the Navy had 69 SBC-3s and 117 SBC-4s on its roster, VB-8 and VS-8, being an 'on board' unit. VMO-151 was also flying SBC-4s, but the -3 with Scouting Squadrons VS-3, VS-5 and VS-6, were already obsolete". By early March of 1942 VS-8 and VB-8 were equipped with SBD-3's.
Link: http://www.wings-aviation.ch/24-Naval-W ... Hornet.htm
Questions being, where did this exchange happen? Pearl harbor? and where did the SBC's go after being replaced with SBD's?
Her air group was composed of Grumman F4F-4 Wildcats (VF-8), Curtiss SBC-4 Helldivers (VS-8 & VB-8), and Douglas TBD-1 Devastators (VT-8).
The ship is painted in Measure 12 (MOD.) camouflage, designed to provide better concealment during wartime operations.
What I found: "At the time of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor the Navy had 69 SBC-3s and 117 SBC-4s on its roster, VB-8 and VS-8, being an 'on board' unit. VMO-151 was also flying SBC-4s, but the -3 with Scouting Squadrons VS-3, VS-5 and VS-6, were already obsolete". By early March of 1942 VS-8 and VB-8 were equipped with SBD-3's.
Link: http://www.wings-aviation.ch/24-Naval-W ... Hornet.htm
Questions being, where did this exchange happen? Pearl harbor? and where did the SBC's go after being replaced with SBD's?
Re: Why no SBD's yet? ...
Wed Sep 17, 2025 9:44 am
I wonder if some could have been part of the group reconditioned for the French?
Looking at that shot of the Hornet heading to the war reminds me of a line from a favorite film...
"A fast ship going in harm's way - a lousy situation, Commander Eddington."--- John Wayne to Kirk Douglas in In Harm's Way
In April she'd launch the Doolittle raid. Midway was two months after that. Six months after that, she'd be sunk in the battle of Santa.Cruz.
Looking at that shot of the Hornet heading to the war reminds me of a line from a favorite film...
"A fast ship going in harm's way - a lousy situation, Commander Eddington."--- John Wayne to Kirk Douglas in In Harm's Way
In April she'd launch the Doolittle raid. Midway was two months after that. Six months after that, she'd be sunk in the battle of Santa.Cruz.