Hosho's first air group combined Mitsubishi 1MF fighters and B1M torpedo bombers. Both types were expected to carry out bombing as well as their principal roles, before the navy adopted a separate dive bomber. These slow biplanes could perform the required maneuver without the later division into specialized aircraft. The Swordfish provides a comparison: its ability to dive-bomb illustrates how a torpedo bomber could still cover several attack methods.
Notable Point · 0:50-2:00
Hosho's first fighters and torpedo bombers share bombing duties
The 1MF and B1M form a simple air group in which bombing duties cross the boundary between fighter and torpedo-bomber roles.