TBD-1

TBD-1

B-18A

TBD-1

B-18A

USA

I Rank

Battle rating:

AB	RB	SB
1.0	1.0	1.7

Class:

Bomber

Naval aircraft

Torpedo bomber

Research:2 900

Purchase:700

Show in game

Description

The TBD-1 Devastator is a Rank I American torpedo bomber with a battle rating of 1.0 (AB/RB) and 1.7 (SB).

General info

Flight Performance

Characteristics
Stock
Max Speed (km/h at 2,500 m)		Max altitude (meters)	Turn time (seconds)		Rate of climb (meters/second)		Take-off run (meters)
AB	RB		AB	RB	AB	RB
293	287	6000	20.0	20.5	4.3	4.3	150
Upgraded
Max Speed (km/h at 2,500 m)		Max altitude (meters)	Turn time (seconds)		Rate of climb (meters/second)		Take-off run (meters)
AB	RB		AB	RB	AB	RB
332	312	6000	18.0	19.0	10.1	6.1	150

Details

Features
Combat flap	Take-off flap	Landing flap	Air brakes	Arrestor gear
✓	✓	✓	X	✓

Limits
Wing-break speed (km/h)	Gear limit (km/h)	Combat flap (km/h)	Max Static G
			+	-
0	185	212	~6	~2

Optimal velocities
Ailerons (km/h)	Rudder (km/h)	Elevators (km/h)	Radiator (km/h)
< 465	< 400	< 380	> 250

Compressor (RB/SB)
Setting 1
Optimal altitude	100% Engine power	WEP Engine power
2,620 m	900 hp	963 hp

Survivability and armour

• 12.7 mm steel - behind engine
• 12.7 mm steel - behind pilot
• No armour glazing
• Critical components located at front of aircraft (fuel, pilot, engine, controls)
• More fuel tanks located in wings near fuselage

Armaments

Offensive armament

The TBD-1 is armed with:

• 1 x 12.7 mm M2 Browning machine gun (500 rpg = 500 total)

Suspended armament

The TBD-1 is able to be equipped with:

• 12 x 100 lb AN-M30A1 bombs
• 1 x 2,216 lbs Mk.13 torpedo
• 1 x 2,216 lbs Mk.13/44 torpedo
• 2 x 500 lb AN-M64A1 bombs + 6 x 100 lb AN-M30A1 bombs

Defensive armament

The TBD-1 is defended with:

• 1 x 7.62 mm Browning machine gun, dorsal mount (600 rpg = 600 total)

Usage in battles

The first thing a pilot will notice about the TBD in gameplay is its "rubber banding" tendency to return to a stable speed of about 250kph. The aircraft has mediocre energy retention, especially in a turn or when coming out of a dive. However, it is a stable and easy plane to fly, even in Realistic Battles. Strangely enough, the TBD has awesome acceleration from a standing start. The acceleration peters off after about 140kph (just above its stall speed), but makes it a nice plane to takeoff, especially from carriers. The armament on this plane is very bad and will get shot down if engaged with a fighter. The TBD is a very attractive target for fighters so climb to an altitude of 5000 meters. When dropping bombs, decrees your throttle to 50% as the bombs are more accurate when flying slow.

This aircraft is best used in a ground strike role, carpet bombing ground targets with a large quantity of smaller bombs available out of the box, and in this role it performs respectably. It features a single 12.7mm MG attached to the starboard side of the engine, with a generous ammo load, but although the TBD has a good turning radius it is not recommended to engage as a fighter. A rear gunner also wields a 7.7mm MG, and although its horizontal coverage is laughable, it is a welcome addition to a low-flying pilot with the ability to keep his enemies in his gunner's (or main gun's) sights.

It is important to note that the TBD suffers from extremely fragile flaps and gear, at least in Realistic and Simulator Battles; even combat flaps will break off at any speed above about 210kph, while the gear rip at about 180.

Manual Engine Control

MEC elements
Mixer	Pitch	Radiator			Supercharger	Turbocharger
		Oil	Water	Type
Controllable	Controllable No automatic pitch	Not controllable	Controllable Auto radiator available	Combined	Not ontrollable	Not controllable

Modules

Tier	Flight performance		Survivability	Weaponry
I	Fuselage Repair	Radiator		Turret 7.62 mm belts	ITC mk.III
II		Compressor	Airframe	New 7.62 mm MGs (turret)	Improved torpedo
III	Wings Repair	Engine		Offensive 12.7 mm belts	SBC mk.I
IV		Engine Injection	Cover	New 12.7 mm MGs

Pros and cons

Pros:

• Low stall speed
• Has a bomb sight
• Has an arrestor hook for carrier landing
• Very stable and easy to fly.
• Very maneuverable for a bomber.
• Very good turn and roll rate.
• Carries a decent quantity of bombs without requiring any research.
• Great standing acceleration.
• Cockpit offers somehow decent visibility.

Cons:

• Armaments are extremely underwhelming, with a single 12.7 mm in front and a 7.62 mm in the rear
• Low sustainable "cruise" speed (200-250kph).
• Slow.
• Very bad energy retention.
• Bombs are mounted on external pylons.
• A dive bomber without any air brakes.
• Poor overall armament with limited defensive coverage.
• No gun sight in cockpit other than a scope with an extremely limited (and very shaky) field of view.
• Doesn't come with it's Navy Blue camouflage unlike other US Navy planes.
• Fragile flaps and gear.
• Gunner has no amour.

History

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Media

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See also

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• reference to the series of the aircraft;
• links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.

External links

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• encyclopedia page on aircraft;
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