Мировая Авиация 74

Регистрационный номерRegistry number: FF557   [3]

Единственным планируемым улучшением самолета B-40 была установка в задней кабине пулеметной турели с электроприводом. На прототипе она устанавливалась только в виде макета, на всех серийных самолетах отсутствовала.

Aeroplane Monthly 1989-12 / F.Gemeinhardt, J.Lucabaugh, R.Martin - The bellicose Brewster (2)

Регистрационный номерRegistry number: FF524

Two RAF Bermudas - the lower one is FF524. Most Bermudas were broken up in mid-1945.

Air Pictorial 1957-01 / B.Robertson - U.S. Aircraft in the British Services 1914-1955 (5)

Регистрационный номерRegistry number: FF557   [3]

Brewster Bermuda FF557 before conversion as the Bermuda target-tug.

Air Pictorial 1957-01 / B.Robertson - U.S. Aircraft in the British Services 1914-1955 (5)

Регистрационный номерRegistry number: FF557   [3]

Brewster Bermuda FF557 after conversion as the Bermuda target-tug.

Aeroplane Monthly 1989-12 / F.Gemeinhardt, J.Lucabaugh, R.Martin - The bellicose Brewster (2)

Регистрационный номерRegistry number: FF843

Late production Brewster Bermuda FF843, photographed in late 1943.

Aeroplane Monthly 1989-12 / F.Gemeinhardt, J.Lucabaugh, R.Martin - The bellicose Brewster (2)

A Brewster Bermuda in transit at NAS New Orleans, on the southern coast of the USA, in late 1943.

Aeroplane Monthly 1989-12 / F.Gemeinhardt, J.Lucabaugh, R.Martin - The bellicose Brewster (2)

Регистрационный номерRegistry number: FF444   [2]

Bermuda FF444, probably photographed at the A&AEE at Boscombe Down, in November 1942.

Aeroplane Monthly 1989-12 / F.Gemeinhardt, J.Lucabaugh, R.Martin - The bellicose Brewster (2)

Регистрационный номерRegistry number: FF444   [2]

Another view of Bermuda FF444, taken possibly during A&AEE evaluation in November 1942.

Air Pictorial 1957-12 / Photos by request

The Brewster SB2A-1 two-seat dive-bomber of the U.S. Navy was transferred to the R.A.F. under Lend-Lease in 1941; and this accounts for the unusual sight of a Bermuda I with both U.S.N, and R.A.F. fuselage markings.

Aeroplane Monthly 1989-12 / F.Gemeinhardt, J.Lucabaugh, R.Martin - The bellicose Brewster (2)

This undated photograph was taken at an unknown modification site where Bermudas were converted into USAAF A-34s. The fifth aircraft from the right bears both a roundel and a star on its fuselage.

Aeroplane Monthly 1990-01 / F.Gemeinhardt, J.Lucabaugh, R.Martin - The bellicose Brewster (3)

Ten SB2A-4s lined up at NAS Vero Beach, Florida, home of a Navy Scout Bomber Training base - circa 1943.

Aeroplane Monthly 1990-01 / F.Gemeinhardt, J.Lucabaugh, R.Martin - The bellicose Brewster (3)

The first SB2A-3, the carrier-equipped model with folding wings and arrester gear - Spring 1943.

Jane's All the World Aircraft 1980 / Encyclopedia of Aviation - Aircraft A-Z - v2

Brewster SB2A-2 Buccaneer.

Aeroplane Monthly 1990-01 / F.Gemeinhardt, J.Lucabaugh, R.Martin - The bellicose Brewster (3)

A good view of an SB2A carrying six underwing bombs. Brewster initially tried to impress British agents with the Bermuda's alleged ability to carry a 1,000lb bomb internally plus two 250lb bombs on wing shackles. In fact it was found to be impractical.

Aeroplane Monthly 1990-01 / F.Gemeinhardt, J.Lucabaugh, R.Martin - The bellicose Brewster (3)

The same SB2A

Aeroplane Monthly 1990-01 / F.Gemeinhardt, J.Lucabaugh, R.Martin - The bellicose Brewster (3)

Регистрационный номерRegistry number: NX390B

NX390B was an SB2A-4 Bermuda, photographed in September 1943. The SB2A-4 had poor directional stability and exhibited a tendency for rudder reversal!

Aeroplane Monthly 1989-11 / F.Gemeinhardt, J.Lucabaugh, R.Martin - The bellicose Brewster (1)

A Brewster SB2A-3 with bomb doors open and split dive brakes deployed. The final production variant of the SB2A, the -3 was equipped with an arrester hook for carrier operations.

Air Enthusiast 2000-03 / K.Wixey - "Flying Fuel Cans'

Unsuccessful competitor to Vought's SB2U, the Brewster SB2A-1 Buccaneer

Aeroplane Monthly 1990-01 / F.Gemeinhardt, J.Lucabaugh, R.Martin - The bellicose Brewster (3)

An SB2A-2 of VMF(N) 531 Marine Night Fighter Training Unit with bomb doors and split dive brakes deployed.

Aeroplane Monthly 1989-11 / F.Gemeinhardt, J.Lucabaugh, R.Martin - The bellicose Brewster (1)

Seen in mid-1941 following reassembly at Newark Airport, New Jersey, the XSB2A-1 is prepared for flight.

Air International 1995-09 / R.Francillon - From Torpedo and Scout Bombers to Attack Aircraft (2)

Although looking 'right', the XSB2A-1, seen here with dummy turret, proved disappointing. Production aircraft were ordered not only by the USN but also by the British Purchasing Commission and the Dutch government in exile, but none were used in combat.

Aeroplane Monthly 1989-11 / F.Gemeinhardt, J.Lucabaugh, R.Martin - The bellicose Brewster (1)

Aeroplane Monthly 1989-11 / F.Gemeinhardt, J.Lucabaugh, R.Martin - The bellicose Brewster (1)

View of the XSB2A-1 at Brewster’s Newark test site with the company’s chief test pilot Woody Burke in the cockpit. Note the aluminium shell representing the dorsal turret which had yet to be installed - at this stage there was no intention to develop an occupied “greenhouse” aft of the pilot. The aircraft is seen here with the original small tail surfaces, later to be modified through several stages.

Aeroplane Monthly 1989-11 / F.Gemeinhardt, J.Lucabaugh, R.Martin - The bellicose Brewster (1)

The cowling and spinner were also modified for better cooling and easier maintenance, as may be seen in the flying shot.

Aeroplane Monthly 1989-11 / F.Gemeinhardt, J.Lucabaugh, R.Martin - The bellicose Brewster (1)

The SB2A-1 in final configuration, being flown to NAS Patuxent River, Maryland, by Brewster test pilot Ralph Romaine. The US Navy had recently opened "Pax River" for its Service type-testing.

Aeroplane Monthly 1989-11 / F.Gemeinhardt, J.Lucabaugh, R.Martin - The bellicose Brewster (1)

The SB2A1 with enlarged spinner and modified cowling to accommodate the Wright Cyclone's cooling needs. The mods progressed through at least three stages - this one includes a prominent pair of upper scoops. Note the ventral nose guns.

Aeroplane Monthly 1989-11 / F.Gemeinhardt, J.Lucabaugh, R.Martin - The bellicose Brewster (1)

The SB2A-1 in late configuration, mid-1943. No armament is fitted.

Aeroplane Monthly 1989-11 / F.Gemeinhardt, J.Lucabaugh, R.Martin - The bellicose Brewster (1)

The XSB2A-1 under construction in Brewster's Pierce-Arrow Building in Long Island City in the spring of 1941. Note the Navy F2A Buffalo in the background. Brewster could produce an aircraft as small as the 35ft-span F2A in this building, but it became clear that the bigger SB2A required a production line of some length.

Другие самолёты на фотографии: Another planes on the photo: Brewster F2A Buffalo / B-239 - СШАUSA - 1937

Aeroplane Monthly 1989-12 / F.Gemeinhardt, J.Lucabaugh, R.Martin - The bellicose Brewster (2)

Bermudas being mass-produced by the Brewster Aeronautical Corporation at Johnsville, Bucks County, Pennsylvania. Although 750 Bermudas were allocated to the RAF under Lend-Lease, little more than 200 were delivered. Most of them were adapted for target towing duties, the type never being used as a dive-bomber by the Service.

Aeroplane Monthly 1990-01 / F.Gemeinhardt, J.Lucabaugh, R.Martin - The bellicose Brewster (3)

The cockpit of the Brewster SB2A-1, 2 and 3. The big cowled radial engine reduced the forward visibility for the pilot to nil.

Aeroplane Monthly 1989-11 / F.Gemeinhardt, J.Lucabaugh, R.Martin - The bellicose Brewster (1)

A little-known illustration of the manned turret mounted on the XSB2A-1. It has not been established whether the aircraft was ever flown in this configuration - in any case, the picture indicates that the gunner's ability to escape with a parachute was very marginal.

Aeroplane Monthly 1990-01 / F.Gemeinhardt, J.Lucabaugh, R.Martin - The bellicose Brewster (3)

One of several Bermudas rotting away near a disused USAAF field in Tennessee in 1979. Two others were used to reconstruct one Bermuda that is currently being restored.