Can you guys tell me the typical number of planes the WWII carriers carried? How many of each type and were the squadrons set up the same as they are today? Please give references to Essex class as well as the smaller ones.
Sheesh…you’re not asking for much…LOL. Here’s Essex, just one ship…each carrier deployed different configurations of air groups. If you have a specific ship and time frame, let me know and I’ll help you out.
Jeff Herne
Essex Class as designed:
36 F6F Fighters
36 SBD Bombers
18 TBF Torpedo Bombers
USS Essex:
Air Group 9 October 1943 - December 1943
VF-9 36 F6F
VB-9 36 SBD
VT-9 18 TBF/TBM
Air Group 9 January 1944 - February 1944
VF-9 35 F6F
VB-9 34 SBD, 1 F6F
VT-9 19 TBF/TBM
Air Group 15 June 1944 - September 1944
VF-15 39 F6F
VFN-77 4 F6F-3N
VB-15 4 SBD 36 SB2C
VT-15 20 TBF/TBM
Air Group 15 October 1944 - December 1944
VF-15 45 F6F, 4 F6F-3N, 2 F6F-3P
VB-15 25 SB2C
VT-15 20 TBF/TBM
Air Group 4 January 1945 - February 1945
VF-4 44 F6F
VME-124 18 F4U
VME-213 18 F4U
VB-4 24 SB2C
VT-4 22 TBM
Air Group 83 March 1945 - Sept. 45
VF-83 30 F6F, 4 F6F-5N, 2 F6F-5P
VB-83 36 F4U
VT-83 15 TBM
it really depends upon the carrier and the type of plane you are talking about. what carrier did you have in mind.
joe
Not really talking of one engagement or cruise or ship in particular, I was just trying to see from a comparasin standpoint how todays carriers are stocked vs those from WWIi. I know how they are stocked today. So I was just a bit curious thats all thanks guys.
Click on this link and then go to “Ships of the Fleet.” Then “Aircraft Carriers”, then the particular class. Scroll down for the stats. Hope this helps.
http://www.microworks.net/pacific/