Q&A · 2:25:25-2:25:42

Fleet Air Arm groups in the late 1940s

The Barracuda could fill both torpedo-bomber and dive-bomber functions in a late-war Fleet Air Arm group.

Question

What did Fleet Air Arm groups look like in the late 1940s: was there a torpedo bomber or dive bomber?

Short answer

The Barracuda filled both roles, and by then it had developed into a version that worked well for the Fleet Air Arm.

Notes

The Fairey Barracuda resolves the apparent choice between torpedo-bomber and dive-bomber roles. The aircraft was designed to combine both attack functions in one Fleet Air Arm type. By the period discussed, an improved version could perform them effectively enough for carrier operations. A carrier air group could cover multiple missions without maintaining separate specialist aircraft for each one.