RAF In Combat

Allied Wings No. 3 Northrop BT-1

by  Phil E. Listemann

Reviewed By  Brian R. Baker, IPMS# 43146

MSRP: $20 USD ISBN: 2-9526381-7-9 978-295-26-3817-3 Website: www.raf-in-combat.com According to the writer, the Northrop BT-1 was the first all-metal airplane to be flown in U.S. Navy markings, and was the product of a designer soon to become well known in the aviation industry, Ed Heinemann, who was later responsible for the Douglas A-20/A-26 series and the A4D Skyhawk. The BT-2 development became the prototype for the SBD Dauntless series of dive bombers. However, the BT-1 was not produced in large numbers, with only 54 ordered and 52 initially delivered. The ones not delivered were used for testing a tricycle landing gear and as the BT-2 prototype, which became the SBD. Only two units, VB-5 of the Yorktown, and VB-6 of the Enterprise, operated the type. When the SBD became available, surviving BT-1's were sent to training establishments, where they were gone by 1944. The plane had an incredibly strong airframe, and was a good dive bomber. However, its low speed handling characteristics left a lot to be desired, especially on carrier approaches, where the slightest skid near the stalling point would result in a violent stall, often with fatal results. Even experienced pilots with many hours on BT-1's were involved in these accidents, As the Navy became more aware of the aircraft's deficiencies, the accident rate was reduced but not eliminated, and the ultimate solution was the replacement of the aircraft with the better handling SBD. One reason for the SBD's better handling may have been the provision of wing slots on the SBD, which were lacking on the BT-1. The book takes a rather interesting approach to the history of an aircraft type. The photos are mostly from the San Diego Aerospace Museum, with a few official Navy, and one nice Bill Larkins shot of a BT-1 on final approach. All photos are properly credited, but a few have been digitally reproduced and show distortions when diagonal lines are depicted. There are a few typographical errors in the text, but nothing that detracts from the effect of the material. After a brief developmental background description, the service career of the BT-1 with VB-5 and VB-6 is covered, and then the use of the aircraft as an advanced trainer. Perhaps the most interesting part is the history of each individual aircraft, including reports of how the aircraft met its demise, and usually the aircrew involved. These are often first-person accounts, and must be from the Navy's individual aircraft records. In addition, 11 pages or color profiles and drawings are included, but strangely, no three view drawings are provided, which would have been useful for modelers wishing to convert an SBD kit into a BT-1. I realize that there is a 1/72 scale BT-1 kit now available, but this would be useful for larger scales. This book probably contains more specific information about the BT-1 than most people will ever need, but it is very interesting reading, and the photos and the color are outstanding. Thanks to Phil Listemann and Dave Morrissette for the review copy. Highly recommended.

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