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Photo # 80-G-16518:  Douglas TBD-1 torpedo planes on board USS Enterprise, April 1942

Online Library of Selected Images:
-- U.S. NAVY AIRCRAFT -- 1922-1962 DESIGNATION SYSTEM --

Douglas TBD-1 "Devastator" Torpedo Planes --
On Board Ship


This page features virtually all our views of Douglas TBD-1 torpedo planes on board ship.

For additional views of TBD-1 aircraft, see:

  • Douglas TBD-1 "Devastator" Torpedo Planes .


    If you want higher resolution reproductions than the digital images presented here, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."

    Click on the small photograph to prompt a larger view of the same image.

    Photo #: NH 95314

    Douglas TBD-1 Torpedo Planes
    ,
    of Torpedo Squadron Five (VT-5)

    Parked on the after flight deck of USS Yorktown (CV-5) at Naval Air Station, North Island, San Diego, California, in June 1940.
    Three of these aircraft are painted in an experimental color scheme used during Fleet Problem XXI.
    This section of the ship was examined when Yorktown's wreck was located in May 1998. The after thirty feet (approximately) of the flight deck was missing, but most other features seen were present, including the ship's name on her stern.
    This view is cropped from Photo # 80-G-652042.

    U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.

    Online Image: 130KB; 740 x 605 pixels

     
    Photo #: 80-G-16518

    USS Enterprise (CV-6)


    TBD-1 "Devastator" torpedo planes and F4F-3 "Wildcat" fighters parked on the carrier's flight deck, April 1942.
    Note variations in aircraft fuselage markings and national insignia sizes.

    Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.

    Online Image: 109KB; 740 x 600 pixels

    Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system.

     
    Photo #: 80-G-10151

    USS Enterprise (CV-6)


    An SBD "Dauntless" scout-bomber and five TBD-1 "Devastator" torpedo planes prepare to take-off from the carrier during operations in the south Pacific area, 4 May 1942.
    Note launching officer making arm signals in the lower left-center. Take-offs averaged one every thirty seconds.

    Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.

    Online Image: 117KB; 740 x 600 pixels

    Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system.

     
    Photo #: NH 95311

    Douglas TBD-1 Torpedo Plane
    (Bureau # 0297),
    of Torpedo Squadron Five (VT-5)

    With a wrinkled fuselage, following a landing accident on USS Yorktown (CV-5), 3 September 1940. The after end of the carrier's island is in the background.
    This aircraft was ultimately assigned to Torpedo Squadron Eight (VT-8), and was lost in the Battle of Midway on 4 June 1942.

    Courtesy of Thomas E. Doll.

    U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.

    Online Image: 114KB; 740 x 605 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 95312

    Douglas TBD-1 Torpedo Plane
    (Bureau # 0284),
    of Torpedo Squadron Five (VT-5)

    In the starboard catwalk of USS Yorktown (CV-5), 3 September 1940, following a landing accident. Pilot was Electrician's Mate First Class (Naval Aviation Pilot) C.M. O'Brien. The after end of the carrier's island is in the background.
    Ultimately assigned to Torpedo Squadron Eight (VT-8), This aircraft was lost on 4 June 1942 during the Battle of Midway.

    Courtesy of Thomas E. Doll, 1984.

    U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.

    Online Image: 106KB; 740 x 610 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 59925

    USS Sampson
    (DD-394)

    Steaming near USS Saratoga (CV-3), circa 1940.
    Note the safety net at the side of Saratoga's flight deck, and the TBD-1 torpedo planes parked nearby.

    U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.

    Online Image: 93KB; 740 x 585 pixels

     
    Photo #: 80-G-17425

    USS Enterprise (CV-6)


    Aviation Metalsmiths assemble a Grumman F4F-3 fighter on the carrier's hangar deck, 28 October 1941. The plane bears the markings of Fighting Squadron Three (VF-3), including a "Felix the Cat" insignia under the cockpit windshield.
    Note spare airplanes triced up in the hangar overhead, including TBD-1 torpedo planes (with markings of VT-3) and SBD scout bombers (with markings of VS-2).

    Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.

    Online Image: 110KB; 740 x 600 pixels

    Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system.

     


    For additional views of TBD-1 aircraft, see:

  • Douglas TBD-1 "Devastator" Torpedo Planes .


    NOTES:

  • To the best of our knowledge, the pictures referenced here are all in the Public Domain, and can therefore be freely downloaded and used for any purpose.

  • Some images linked from this page may bear obsolete credit lines citing the organization name: "Naval Historical Center". Effective 1 December 2008 the name should be cited as: "Naval History and Heritage Command".


    If you want higher resolution reproductions than the digital images presented here, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."


    Return to Naval History and Heritage Command home page.

    Page made 14 February 2001
    Coding updated 7 May 2009