AirTalk.org Aviation discussions newsgroups   Archives   FAQ   Search   Memberlist   Usergroups   Register   Profile   Log in to check your private messages   Log in  Grumman Avenger as nightfighters?          AirTalk.org Forum Index -> Naval Aviation View previous topic :: View next topic   Author Message Prowlus Guest Posted: Sun Mar 06, 2005 10:26 pm    Post subject: Grumman Avenger as nightfighters? According to several scources the Grumman Avenger was used as an improvised nightfighter on the USS Enterprise since radars at that time were too big to fit onto Hellcats or Corsairs . Now does this seem pointless or what? Surely the Curtiss Helldiver would have been a far better nightfighting platform especially since it was more faster and carried a bigger striking punch (20mm cannon) than the Avenger? Back to top Lynn in StLou Guest Posted: Mon Mar 07, 2005 1:17 am    Post subject: Re: Grumman Avenger as nightfighters? Prowlus wrote: Quote: According to several scources the Grumman Avenger was used as an improvised nightfighter on the USS Enterprise since radars at that time were too big to fit onto Hellcats or Corsairs . Now does this seem pointless or what? Surely the Curtiss Helldiver would have been a far better nightfighting platform especially since it was more faster and carried a bigger striking punch (20mm cannon) than the Avenger? IIRC, the SB2C was not in service at the time. Also there was more room in the Avenger for the radar and its operator. And the key word is improvised. The plan being to fly the TBF/M off with two F6F and allow the Avenger to guide the fighters to the target where the fighter would perform the actual killing. I don't recall if it ever actually worked the way it was supposed to. I do know that the Navy lost on if its finest in these experiments. Edward H O'Hare. Even though we lost Butch that night, the experiment was a success as no US warships were struck that night. -- Lynn in StLou REMOVETHIS anti-spam measure to reply Back to top Display posts from previous: All Posts1 Day7 Days2 Weeks1 Month3 Months6 Months1 Year Oldest FirstNewest First         AirTalk.org Forum Index -> Naval Aviation All times are GMT Page 1 of 1   Jump to: Select a forum Aviation----------------alt.aviationAviation safety EnhancementPlanes, gliders and flying in AustraliaAviation et pilotage (Français)rec.aviationAviation (Aerobatics)Hot air, gas balloons and airshipsHang-gliding, paragliding, foot-launched flightAircraft Design & BuildingInstrument Flight RulesAviation (Classifieds)Military AircraftNaval AviationAviation (Miscellaneous Topics)Owning AirplanesAviators (General Discussions)Aviation related productsAircraft RestorationHelicopters and rotary wing aircraftsFlight SimulationSailplanesAviation (Students)Light aircraftFlying related activities in the UK Airports----------------alt.airportsEdinburgh Airport Glasgow Airport Humberside Airport Luton Airport Aberdeen Airport Glasgow Prestwick Airport  You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2006 phpBB Group SEO toolkit © 2004-2006 webmedic.