Something a little different

Mon Nov 03, 2008 3:45 am

Any guesses? Who, what, where & why?

A bit of right-click detective work will reveal all, so not a real competition, but I was interested as I don't recall anyone else using this type as a torpedo-bomber.

Mon Nov 03, 2008 3:50 am

Well, the plane is an A-20..but the rest has me baffled...guess I'll have to right-click.

OK...right-clcking doesn't seem to provide any info. The nose doesn't look quite right though, and the uniforms don't look American. Could this be lend-lease aircraft in Russkie service with a field-modified nose?

SN

Mon Nov 03, 2008 9:43 am

Russian A20 ? Look at the uniforms.

Mon Nov 03, 2008 10:08 am

And was the bay of the bomb long enough to akommiedate a torpedo?

Mon Nov 03, 2008 10:11 am

Here is a modeller's site where he discusses the Soviet use of A-20s in the anti-shipping role and shows a model so outfitted.

http://hsfeatures.com/features04/a20gcl_1.htm

The only link to other info that works for me is in Russian:

http://www.bellabs.ru/51/

which seems to be about the 51st Mine and Torpedo Air Regiment, Soviet Naval Aviation, Baltic Sea Fleet, 1944-45.

Randy

Mon Nov 03, 2008 10:24 am

Thanks everyone.

Like Gary, I wasn't sure the bomb-bay was long enough for a torpedo. Randy's excellent find shows how they did it - thanks for that.

The link to the pic's folder. The A20 set's worth a browse.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/tailspin_t ... 293073111/

Mon Nov 03, 2008 1:06 pm

Didn't one application in the early Pacific war have a squadron of Martin B-26's equipped with torpedos slung externally under the bomb bay? 'can ya put a roller skate on that thing for me?' with what, about 10 inches of ground clearance?

Mon Nov 03, 2008 5:07 pm

According to this site, the -26A had shackles fitted to the bomb bay doors for carring torpedos..

http://www.vectorsite.net/avb26.html

..Other interesting info there, as well..