I am looking for a source for 1/72 early US WW II aerial torpedoes such as used by PBY’s, Devastator’s, TBF’s, and B-26’s. I am working on 2 B-26’s carrying torpedoes for the 77th BS at Attu and Kiska, and the 22 BG at Midway at the same time, 3-6 June, '42. I am also interested in where to find more pictures of the torpedo racks used by B-26s.
I don’t know about the B-26, but I wonder if its method of torpedo carrying was as primitive as that on the B-25. The B-25 carried one torpedo in the bomb bay, with the doors open because the bay was shorter than the fish. With the speed penalty, pilots carrying the torpedos felt, quite understandably, like sitting ducks all the way up until release.
The torpedo was supended from the bomb racks by two cables, and a long steel rod extended from the top (or “roof”) of the bomb bay to a connection on the torpedo, acting as a fore-and-aft sway brace. However, I could almost swear I have seen a photo of B-26 with a torpedo carried under the wing. Given the already outrageous wing loading of this aircraft, I find that extra ton hanging there a little hard to believe. The B-25/PBJ-1’s, for example, commonly carried external bomb racks and 5" HVAR rocket stubs. I don’t remember ever seeing these things on the B-26. So I suspect the torpedo was suspended from the bomb bay. I’d love to find out I’m wrong, though, because a B-26 would look really cool with one of those nice True Details resin torpedoes hanging from the wing. True Details’ resin weapons come in 1/48, also including various sizes of bombs and the Tiny Tim rocket, but I don’t know about other scales. They are a bargain, though, and Squadron often has them on sale even cheaper. The detail is excellent.
TOM
One possibility is Pavla Models #7238 US Navy Armament - Part 1. One Bliss-Leavitt Mk XIII torpedo and some bombs. I got it from Hannants in England: