Hello bajtársak and fellow forumdwellers,
The Chesapeake Mk I was the British Royal Navy’s designation for the American Vought SB2U-3 Vindicator dive bomber, which was specifically ordered from the manufacturer for the Fleet Air Arm in 1941. This variant was modified with increased armor plating for the pilot and additional fuel tankage to improve its range. It was also powered by a more powerful 1,700 hp Wright Cyclone engine compared to its earlier U.S. counterparts.
Intended to equip Royal Navy squadrons as a dive bomber aboard aircraft carriers, the Chesapeake’s operational history was brief and underwhelming. Upon evaluation, it was found to be significantly underpowered, especially when carrying a full bomb load and operating from British carriers, which often had shorter flight decks. Consequently, it was quickly withdrawn from frontline carrier duty in late 1941 and relegated to secondary roles, such as target tug and training aircraft.
Its fixed forward-firing offensive armament consisted of four .50 caliber Browning machine guns mounted in the wings, which was a heavier punch than the standard U.S. Navy Vindicators. For defensive purposes, it retained the single .30 caliber Vickers K machine gun operated by the radio operator/gunner in the rear cockpit.
The typical bomb load was a single 500 lb bomb however for the BR1 ground attacker role, 3x 250 lb AN-M57 bombs would be far better suited.
Naturally in the Pacific, it will take off from carriers and have access to repairs on aircraft carriers.
