TBD Production List

The information that follows has been compiled from a number of sources, which are listed at the bottom of the page.  I welcome all verifiable information regarding correction of any  information listed here or additions to the list.  If a particular written source is used, please indicate the specifics so I may properly credit both the originator and the contributor.

3/7/18:  Yes, it has literally been SEVENTEEN YEARS since I updated this page... shameful, I know.  The page is old enough to drive a car in the US.  :)  But with that said, something happened on March 5, 2018 which was only in the realm of science fiction back in 2001- the Devastators of VT-2 have been found, 2800 meters below the surface of the Coral Sea, by Paul Allen and his team aboard R/V Petrel.  And not just one- they have found SEVEN.  The only hitch as of this writing is, we don't yet have BuNo tie-ins to the squadron numbers.  They have shown photos of Tare-4, Tare-5, Tare-8, and Tare-9, with additional photos pending release from the Petrel team.  I will have much, much more on this as it develops, now that Brett has kindly reset my FTP access (thanks Brett!!!).  But for now, let's pick up where we left off way, way back in the mists of time, with the production list of all the Devastators which rolled out of the Douglas plant in Santa Monica.

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1/24/01: Who wants to see a walkaround of a TBD?  Yes, you read that right!  I am very pleased to provide a new TBD photo page, and thanks to Dan Johnson of Boeing, I am including factory construction pictures along with operational photos (all fully credited where known, of course!).  Thanks also go to William Larkins for his additional contributions to the photo page...it is a rare pleasure to have the assistance of someone who has truly "been there, done that" in the Golden Age of US Naval aviation!

10/26/00: Lots of new individual aircraft information added courtesy Terence Geary, Mark Horan, and William T. Larkins (info noted and credited within body of text).  Also listed each TBD visible in Warner Bros' Dive Bomber (premiered August 15, 1941).  Time of each aircraft appearance in movie listed as well (yes, my life is that sad...:P)

 9/2/00: Many new photo links added; transcribed after action reports of Bill Esders and Harry Corl (courtesy Richard Leonard) now available

 7/9/00:  Full word for word transcription of Captain Frederick Sherman's after-action report on the Battle of the Coral Sea, dated 15 May 1942.  Copy of original manuscript contributed by Donald E. Kranz of the CV-2 Lexington club.

After action report of CV-2, Battle of Coral Sea

After action report of CV-6, Battle of Midway

IJN Shoho attack photos

TBD production by BuNo; assignment; codes, other details

Compiled by Lynn Ritger

Reference codes in parentheses at end of specific listings:

Note:  VT-8 aircraft BuNos are listed in red.  VT-2 aircraft BuNos lost with Lexington are highlighted in yellow.

9720- XTBD-1, listed at Naval Proving Ground, Dahlgren VA on 6/4/42. (Prof) Photo of 9720 as built, in flightPhoto of 9720 after canopy modification

0268-0381

0268 retained by Navy for testing purposes; standard silver/ yellow scheme; modified as TBD-1A with floats, marked as 2XD1-1; scrapped 9/23/43 (SSIA)

0269 retained by Navy; standard silver/yellow scheme (MS 48-14); listed at Naval Proving Grounds, Dahlgren VA on 6/4/42 (Prof).

0270 Delivered to VT-3, 3-T-8; Top blue, full colors (MS 48-14); lost 8/15/38, still 3-T-8.  Crashed, reason not specified. M. F. Moscicki, AMM2 (NAP), R. T. Carter, ACOM killed (?), F. Smith, RM3 survived (MH)

0271 Delivered to VT-3, 3-T-2; Top red, full colors (MS 48-14); later lost with VT-2 onboard Lexington in Coral Sea, 5/8/42 (Prof). 

0272 retained by Navy; standard silver/ yellow scheme; listed at Mustin Field, PA on 6/4/42 (Prof); last TBD in active Navy service; stricken at Mustin Field, PA 9/30/44.

0273 Delivered to VT-3, 3-T-9, Bottom blue, full colors (10/26/38 accept. photo, SSIA pg17); later lost with VT-2 onboard Lexington in Coral Sea, 5/8/42 (Prof).

0274 Delivered to VT-3, 3-T-3, Bottom red, full colors (MS 48-14); later ditched at sea by VT-6 as T-18 during scouting mission 93 mi from USS Enterprise 2/8/1942.  Lt. Arthur Vincent Ely, USNA35 Leonard C. Pederson, and AMM2 John Melville Blundell, RM3c all OK. (MH)

0275 Delivered to VT-3, 3-T-4, White section leader, full colors (MS 48-14); later lost with VT-2 onboard Lexington in Coral Sea, 5/8/42 (Prof). Photo, flown by Pat Hart, XO of VT-3

0276 Delivered to VT-3, 3-T-5, White top, full colors (MS 48-14); later lost with VT-8 as T-2, LT. Raymond Austin Moore (EO) and Tom Hartsel Pettry, ARM1c KIA 6/4/42. (MH) Aircraft retrofitted with twin .30 mount from CV-6 SBD spares stocks prior to Midway. (SSIA)

0277 Delivered to VT-3, 3-T-6, White bottom, full colors (MS 48-14); listed as crashed but recovered on CV-5, 9/5/40, coded 5-T-14 (Aero) listed at NAS San Diego on 6/4/42 (Prof); stricken 9/28/42 (MH)

0278 Delivered to VT-3, 3-T-7, Blue section leader, full colors (MS 48-14); later lost with VT-5 on 3/17/41 as 5-T-3.  Mid air collision with 5-T-2 2500 yds off port bow of CV-5, T-2 closed too quickly on T-3 (MH, TGS).  Lt.(jg) Frank. M. Robinson, S. Knyezsa, CRM, and J. S. McLendon, RM2 killed. (MH)

0279 Delivered to VT-3, 3-T-1; Red section leader, full colors (photo SSIA, pg 21); with VT-6 as T-3 at Midway, 6/4/42; turned away from attack on Mogamiand Mikuma due to heavy AA, returned to Enterprise. Crew: ENS. Edward Heck, Jr. and Doyle L. Richey, ARM3c OK; later assigned to NAS Corpus Christi, 8/42 to 9/42 (Aero); stricken 10/12/43 (MH). 

0280 Delivered to VT-3, 3-T-10; Black section leader, full colors (MS 48-14); 4 Aug 39 suffered category C damage in landing accident on Saratoga (major damage, can be repaired at this station) (per TG).   While with VT-2 as 2-T-7, aircraft crashed during machine gun and bomb practice on 4/29/41 at 10:30.  When eng failed at 5000-ft near Haleakala Mtn. (10,000 ft), pilot made attempted force landing, crash and burned on western slopes of Haleakala . Ens. John P. French (pilot), Thomas H. Rasco, Sea2c and Robert L. Martin, RM1 all killed. (TG)

0281 Delivered to VT-3, 3-T-11; Black top, full colors (MS 48-14); seen in Warner Bros.' Dive Bomber , early 1941 (time 29:03), filmed on ramp at NAS San Diego unfolding wings; later hit ramp landing on USS Saratoga 1/10/1942 (still with VT-3).  Ens. Earle Clinton Gillen (pilot) rescued, Max Vestal Peters, AOM2 and Clifford Ben Pierce, Sea2 killed. (MH)

0282 Delivered to VT-3, 3-T-12; Black bottom, full colors (MS 48-14); seen in Warner Bros.' Dive Bomber , early 1941 (time 29:03), filmed on ramp at NAS San Diego unfolding wings; (1:13:22) visible parked on deck of USS Enterprise behind SB2U pilot; listed at NAS Norfolk, 6/4/42 (Prof) force landed and destroyed 12/19/1942 NAS Miami due to engine failure; Ens. Robert R. Jones and William D. Blocker received minor injuries (UAS).

0283 Delivered to VT-3, 3-T-13; Green section leader, full colors (MS 48-14); 31 May 39 suffered category "D" damage (slight) in landing accident on Saratoga during transport flight (per TG);  Early 1941, featured in Warner Bros.' Dive Bomber at the following times in the movie:  

(1:02:12), behind SB2U-2 BuNo 1333 (3-B-1) as it taxies out at NAS San Diego; (1:42:07) leading Green section in flyover of NAS San Diego; (2:09:57) closeup of nose and side view showing battle "E", VT-3 emblem, no trim to Green section markings.

Aircraft lost in forced landing at sea while with VT-6 (as 6-T-14) due to mid-air during gunnery practice on 6/14/41 (at 10:20), 20mi.SW of Barbers Pt, Oahu.  Harry August Mueller, ACM(NAP) and remainder of crew (names not listed) parachuted safely.  (MH)

0284 Delivered to VT-3, 3-T-14; Green top, full colors (photo 1938, SSIA pg 18); involved in deck crash on CV-5, 9/3/40 as 5-T-11 (TGC photo p. 32: pilot EM1c C. M. O'Brien- still in full colors, Black cowl top); later lost with VT-8 as T-7, ENS John Porter Gray and Max Arthur Calkins, ARM3c KIA 6/4/42 (MH) Aircraft retrofitted with twin .30 mount from CV-6 SBD spares stocks prior to Midway. (SSIA). AC just visible in Dive Bomber, taxiing down ramp (2:10:07)  Photo of 0284 as 3-T-14

0285 Delivered to VT-3, 3-T-15; Green bottom, full colors (MS 48-14); featured in Warner Bros.' movie Dive Bomber at the following times in the movie:

(7:03) Taking off from the USS Enterprise, viewed from starboard, battle "E" behind and even with fwd fuselage step,  VT-3 dragon logo fwd of fuselage step, .30 cal mounted in nose, gun camera brackets mounted, upper wing numbers about mid-chord just fwd. of chevrons; thin black trim stripe to Willow Green lower cowl section; (29:03) visible unfolding wings on NAS San Diego ramp; (2:10:08) taxiing out behind 3-T-14.

Lost as T-1 with VT-3 (on CV-5), LCDR Lance Edward Massey (CO) and Leo Edward Perry, ACRM (AA) KIA. 6/4/42 (MH) 

0286 Delivered to VT-3, 3-T-16; Yellow section leader, full colors (MS 48-14); later listed as 3-T-18 in 1938 (WL); suffered minor AA damage on 5/4/42 Tulagi raid with VT-5 as T-11, piloted by ENS. George E. Bottjer, A-V(N), USNR (TGS);  lost as T-2 with VT-3 (on CV-5), Wilhelm George Esders (CAP) OK? and Robert Boyd Brazier, ARM2c KIA (6/4/42). (MH) Link to Bill Esders' after action report

0287 Delivered to VT-3, 3-T-17; Yellow top, full colors (MS 48-14); lost on 2/2/40 with VT-2 when the wings folded on take off.  Lt. Lester J. Stone and crew (names not given) rescued.  (MH) 

0288 Delivered to VT-3, 3-T-18; Yellow bottom, full colors (MS 48-14); later lost on 7/29/38, still 3-T-18.  Crashed at San Diego, CA.  AvCad J. A. Porter (pilot) parachuted to safety, J. O. Rose, AMM2 and R. J. Pyffer, Sea1 killed. (MH)

0289 Delivered to VT-3 as a spare aircraft; White tail, no section colors (MS 48-14); flown in search for Japanese Fleet on 7 December 1941 by Lt (jg) Theodore Marshall. who was awarded Silver Star for this action (NHC);  later lost in action with VT-6 as T-15 on 6/4/42, no mention of crew? (MH) Listed as 6-T-1, lost on 6/4/42??? by BT

0290 Delivered to VT-3 as a spare aircraft; White tail, no section colors (MS 48-14); later lost onboard CV-2 Lexington in Coral Sea, 5/8/42 (Prof).

0291 Delivered to VT-3 as a spare aircraft; White tail, no section colors (MS 48-14); listed as damaged on 1/26/40, 3-T-8, pilot AMM2/c (NAP) C. E. Ziegler (NAC); later lost onboard CV-2 Lexington in Coral Sea, 5/8/42 (Prof).

0292 Delivered to VT-2, 2-T-9; Blue bottom, full colors (MS 48-14); small red gunnery "E" carried behind first step in 1940-? (photo SSIA); 22 Feb 39, suffered category "C" damage (Major damage, can be repaired at this station) in landing accident on Saratoga during exercises (per TG).  Aircraft lost on 1/12/40 with VT-3 in mid-air collision with 0373 (instrument training plane).  Ens. Walter G. Barnes, Jr. P. E. Dickson, AMM2 C. W. Post, RM2 all parachuted safely.  (MH, TG)

0293 Delivered to VT-2, 2-T-8; Blue top, full colors (MS 48-14); small red gunnery "E" carried behind first step in 1940-? (photo SSIA); later lost with VT-8 as T-6, ENS William Wilson Creamer and Francis Samuel Polston, SEA2c KIA 6/4/42. (MH) Aircraft retrofitted with twin .30 mount from SBD prior to Midway.

0294 Delivered to VT-2, 2-T-6; White bottom, full colors (MS 48-14); small red gunnery "E" carried behind first step in 1940-? (photo SSIA); small red gunnery "E" carried behind first step in 1940 (?) photo; later lost with VT-6 as T-7, LT (jg) Lloyd Thomas and Harold Francis Littlefield, ARM2c KIA 6/4/42. (MH)

0295 Delivered to VT-2, 2-T-5; White top, full colors (MS 48-14); small red gunnery "E" carried behind first step in 1940-? (photo SSIA); later lost with VT-8 as T-9, LT. James Charles Owens, Jr. (XO) and Amelio Maffei, ARM1c KIA 6/4/42. (MH) Aircraft retrofitted with twin .30 mount from CV-6 SBD spares stocks prior to Midway; this is visible swung out to starboard in the above photo.

0296 Delivered to VT-2, 2-T-3; Red bottom, full colors (MS 48-14); small red gunnery "E" carried behind first step in 1940-? (photo SSIA); later to VT-4 on Ranger Atlantic Patrol, 6/42 (Prof); stricken 1/31/44 (MH)

0297 Delivered to VT-2, 2-T-2; Red top, full colors (MS 48-14); small red gunnery "E" carried behind first step in 1940-? (photo SSIA); later lost with VT-8 as T-3, ENS William Robinson Evans, Jr. and Ross Eugene Bibb, Jr. ARM3c KIA 6/4/42. Aircraft code carried aft of oversize fuselage star.(MH) Aircraft retrofitted with twin .30 mount from SBD prior to Midway.  Photo of aircraft with VT-8

0298 Delivered to VT-2, 2-T-7; Blue section leader, full colors (MS 48-14); small red gunnery "E" carried behind first step in 1940-? (photo SSIA); later lost with VT-5: 5-T-7; crash landed in lagoon at Jaluit Atoll in Marshall Islands Feb 1, 1942. Crew POW: LT Harlan T. ("Dub") Johnson, VT-5 XO, Charles E. Fosha, ACMM, NAP, and James W. Dalzell, RM1c. Recently rediscovered. Standard early war colors, BG-LG with rudder stripes, small stars on fuselage, "5-T-" eliminated from fuselage code.

0299 Delivered to VT-2, 2-T-4; White section leader, full colors (MS 48-14); small red gunnery "E" carried behind first step in 1940-? (photo SSIA); later to VS-71 aboard CV-7 Wasp: 71-S-16, Yellow section leader, full colors with Neutrality star (Don Greer, SSIA centerfold); lost with VS-71 on 5/23/41 at 07:17 during bomb practice at sea.  Left floatation bag was released at 5000-ft, crew bailed out.  Lt. B. V. Clark (pilot) missing and listed as killed, H. G. Bradshaw, RM1c (NAP) parachuted safely, and Rm1c.P.R.Schiavone suffered minor injuries.

0300 Delivered to VT-2, 2-T-1, Red section leader, full colors (Jan 38 photo, SSIA p.9) Small red gunnery E carried early 1941 (? SSIA, maybe miscaptioned?) just aft of fwd. step, both sides; later lost with VT-2 onboard Lexington in Coral Sea, 5/8/42 (Prof). Photo as 2-T-1, Jan 38

0301 Delivered to VT-2, 2-T-18; Yellow bottom, full colors (MS 48-14); small red gunnery "E" carried behind first step in 1940-? (photo SSIA); lost in barrier crash 1/6/39 still as 2-T-18.  CTL Ens. Edward V. Wedell and crew OK.  (MH)

0302 Delivered to VT-2, 2-T-17; Yellow top, full colors, .50 cal in nose (photo 1938-39, SSIA pg 19); small red gunnery "E" carried behind first step in 1940-? (photo SSIA); later with VT-7, force landed due to engine fire 4 mi SW of Donaldsville, GA 5/28/1942 and caught fire.  Lt.(jg) Edward V. Wedell and crew OK. (UAS, MH)

0303 Delivered to VT-2, 2-T-15; Green bottom, full colors (MS 48-14),  small red gunnery "E" carried behind first step in 1940-? (photo SSIA); 10 July 1939, suffered category "D" damage (slight) at NAS San Diego during FCLP (field carrier landing practice- info per TG); lost with VT-3 (on CV-5) as T-3, MACH Harry Lee Corl OK and Lloyd Fred Childers, ARM3c wounded 6/4/42 (MH) Link to Harry Corl's after action report    Photo of painting in Nat'l Museum of Naval Aviation showing T-3 returning to Yorktown (artist unknown, unfortunately)

0304 Delivered to VT-2, 2-T-14; Green top, full colors (MS 48-14); small red gunnery "E" carried behind first step in 1940-? (photo SSIA); later wrecked with VT-8 as T-1, LCDR John Charles Waldron and Horace Franklin Dobbs, CRMP OK. Only date listed as "prior to Midway". (MH) Listed at Pearl Harbor on 6/4/42 (Prof).  Stricken 1/31/44 (MH).

0305 Delivered to VT-2, 2-T-12; Black bottom, full colors (MS 48-14); small red gunnery "E" carried behind first step in 1940-? (photo SSIA); later to VT-4 on Ranger Atlantic Patrol, 6/42 (Prof). Stricken 1/23/44 (MH).

0306 Delivered to VT-2, 2-T-11; Black top, full colors (MS 48-14); small red gunnery "E" carried behind first step in 1940-? (photo SSIA);  22 Sep 39: suffered category "D" damage (slight) in taxi accident on Lexington deck during carrier qualifications (per TG); later to VT-4 on Ranger Atlantic Patrol, 6/42 (Prof).  Stricken 1/31/44 (MH).

0307 Delivered to VT-2, 2-T-16; Yellow section leader, full colors (MS 48-14); small red gunnery "E" carried behind first step in 1940-? (photo SSIA); listed with Advanced Carrier Training Group, Pacific on 6/4/42 (Prof).  Stricken 1/5/44 (MH).

0308 Delivered to VT-2, 2-T-13; Green section leader, full colors (MS 48-14); small red gunnery "E" carried behind first step in 1940-? (photo SSIA); later lost with VT-8 as T-5, LT(jg) Jeff Davis Woodson and Otway David Creasy, Jr., ARM2c KIA 6/4/42. Aircraft code carried fwd of oversize fuselage star, BG wheel covers. (MH) Aircraft retrofitted with twin .30 mount from CV-6 SBD spares stocks prior to Midway.(SSIA). [Listed in SSIA delivery as 2-T-15] Photo of aircraft with VT-8  Jeff Davis Woodson memorial page

0309 Delivered to VT-2, 2-T-10; Black section leader, full colors (MS 48-14); small red gunnery "E" carried behind first step in 1940-? (photo SSIA); lost  in ramp strike on 8/9//38, still 2-T-10.  Lt. W. B. Mechling and crew ok

0310 Delivered to VT-2 as a spare; Lemon Yellow tail, no section markings (MS 48-14); small red gunnery "E" carried behind first step in 1940-? (photo SSIA); later lost with VT-3 (on CV-5) as T-4, Lt (jg) Curtis William Howard and Harold C. Lundy, Jr, ARM1c KIA 6/4/42. (MH)

0311 Delivered to VT-2 as a spare; Lemon Yellow tail, no section markings; (MS 48-14); later lost with VT-8 as T-12, Robert Bruce Miles, AP1c and Aswell Lovelace Picou, SEA2c KIA 6/4/42. (MH) Aircraft retrofitted with twin .30 mount from CV-6 SBD spares stocks prior to Midway. (SSIA)

0312 Delivered to VT-2 as a spare; Lemon Yellow tail, no section markings (MS 48-14); later lost with VT-3 (on CV-5) as T-5* , ENS. Leonard L. Smith and Raymond Joseph Darce, ARM3c KIA 6/4/42 (MH); *: aircraft renumbered, see BuNo 0333; listed in Profile as lost with VT-2 on Lexington, 5/8/42. (Need to get clarity on this, I have some sources to cross-check)

0313 Delivered to VT-5, 5-T-18; Yellow bottom, full colors (MS 48-14); later lost with VT-2 onboard Lexington in Coral Sea, 5/8/42 (Prof).

0314 Delivered to VT-5 (first to be delivered, Feb. 1938- TGS), 5-T-17; Yellow top, full colors (MS 48-14); later lost in Hawaii with VT-2 on 6/20/40 in forced landing due to engine fire.  Ens. L. W. Van Antwerp and crew ok (MH).

0315 Delivered to VT-5, 5-T-16; Yellow section leader, full colors (MS 48-14); aircraft lost 8/16/38, mid-air collision, VT-5, A. E. Furry, ACM(NAP) (pilot), LT Charles W. Lord, bombardier/2nd pilot parachuted, radioman H. Muench, RM1 killed. (MH)

0316 Delivered to VT-5, 5-T-10; Black section leader, full colors (MS 48-14); later lost on 1/17/39 (still as 5-T-10) due to forced landing at sea.  AC recovered, stricken.  Lt.Cdr. J. P. W. West, Edward J. Williamson, ACMM(NAP)  and R. A. Richter, CRM rescued.

0317 Delivered to VT-5, 5-T-11; Black top, full colors (MS 48-14); A/C transferred or lost, as 0284 later became 5-T-11 (TGS).

0318 Delivered to VT-5, 5-T-12; Black bottom, full colors (MS 48-14); later with VT-6 as 6-T-16 in 1939 in full colors, yellow section leader/black trim (AirInt, LIFE color photo); .50 cal mounted forward and gun camera mount present in LIFE color photo; later as 6-T-3 in 1941 (Prof); later back with VT-5 at Pearl Harbor on 6/4/42 (Prof); stricken 10/12/43 (MH). NOTE:  Brief view of 6-T-3 in overall grey scheme trapping aboard CV-6 at 03:11 in "Dive Bomber".   In Flight VT-6 Formation Color PhotoOn Deck Color PhotoVisible in VT-6 Echelon Color Photo

0319 Delivered to VT-5, 5-T-4; White section leader, full colors (Don Greer, SSIA centerfold painting); listed as 5-T-1 flown by CO, LCDR Joe Taylor, in TGC (pg 55); still with VT-5 at Pearl Harbor on 6/4/42 (Prof); stricken 10/12/43 (MH)   Photo of 5-T-1 just after Pearl Harbor attack 

0320 Delivered to VT-5, 5-T-5; White top, full colors (MS 48-14); later with VT-2, temporarily painted in Barclay Design 7 until Fall, 1940 (photos SSIA, pg 29); later lost with VT-2 onboard Lexington in Coral Sea, 5/8/42 (Prof).

0321 Delivered to VT-5, 5-T-6; White bottom, full colors (MS 48-14); later lost with VT-8 at Midway as T-4; ENS Harold J. Ellison, A-V(N) USNR and Frank Carnerio, SEA1c KIA 6/4/42. (MH) Aircraft retrofitted with twin .30 mount from CV-6 SBD spares stocks prior to Midway. (SSIA) Harold J. Ellison tribute page

0322 Delivered to VT-6, 6-T-1; Red section leader, full colors (MS 48-14); stalled on takeoff from USS Enterprise 3/10/1939.  F. O. Adams, ACMM(NAP) and 2 crew uninjured (MH).  Loss coordinates listed by TG as 15-34-45N, 67-36W.  Photo (also found in SSIA, pg 27)

0323Delivered to VT-6, 6-T-2; Red top, full colors, shellback turtle atop fin; later replaced 6-T-1 (photo SSIA pg 28).   Aircraft lost 3/11/41 with VT-3; crashed, reason unspecified.   Ens. Walter G. Barnes, Jr. (pilot) parachuted, R. Goff, AMM3 and D. D. Daga, AMM3 killed. Just visible in VT-6 Formation Color Photo; Visible in VT-6 Echelon Color Photo; Photo as 6-T-2 over CV-6

0324* Delivered to VT-6, 6-T-3; Red bottom, full colors, .50 cal in nose; replaced original 6-T-1 in 1939 (SSIA); later lost with VT-8 as T-8, ENS Ulvert Matthew Moore and William Franklin Sawhill, ARM3c KIA 6/4/42. (MH) *: .50 cal removed from nose and exchanged for .30 cal at undetermined point for weight savings per Mark Horan, personal correspondence. Aircraft retrofitted with twin .30 mount from CV-6 SBD spares stocks prior to Midway. (SSIA) Photo as 6-T-3

0325 Delivered to VT-6, 6-T-4; White section leader/black trim, full colors until December 1940 (photo 10/41, SSIA pg 3) BG/LG, full white codes, single LSO stripe, small fuselage star; listed with Commander Air Fleet Pacific on 6/4/42 (Prof).   Aircraft crashed on  7/31/39 while with VT-6; AC recovered, believed repaired.  D. E. Runyon, AMM2(NAP) Pilot rescued. (MH)  Listed as last TBD stricken, 11/30/44 (BT) Visible in VT-6 Formation Color Photo ; Leading Echelon in Color Photo

0326 Delivered to VT-6, 6-T-5; White top/black trim, full colors (MS 48-14).  Replaced by BuNo 1512 in 1940-? (1512 listed as 6-T-5 in LIFE color photos, 3/31/41).  Later to VT-4 on Ranger Atlantic Patrol, 6/42 (Prof); stricken 5/9/44 (MH).

0327 Delivered to VT-6, 6-T-6; White bottom/ black trim, .50 cal mounted and grey gun camera mounted above gun door, no .30 mounted in LIFE photo; later lost as T-14 (still with VT-6), ENS John Wiley Brock and John Melville Blundell, ARM3c KIA 6/4/42. (MH) On Deck in Color PhotoVisible in VT-6 Formation Color PhotoVisible in VT-6 Echelon Color Photo

0328 Delivered to VT-6, 6-T-7; Blue section leader, full colors (MS 48-14); listed at NAS San Diego on 6/4/42 (Prof).  Stricken 1/31/44 (MH).

0329* Delivered to VT-6, 6-T-8; Blue top, full colors, small white shellback turtle on stbd fin tip, .50 cal in nose (SSIA pg 19); later lost with VT-8 as T-15, ENS Grant W. Teats and Hollis Martin, ARM2c KIA 6/4/42 (MH) *: .50 cal removed from nose and exchanged for .30 cal at undetermined point for weight savings per Mark Horan, personal correspondence. Aircraft retrofitted with twin .30 mount from CV-6 SBD spares stocks prior to Midway. (SSIA)

0330 Delivered to VT-6, 6-T-9; Blue bottom, full colors (MS 48-14); aircraft stalled on landing 9/12/40, still with VT-6.  Lt. Paul James Riley, USNA37 and crew rescued (MH)

0331 Delivered to VT-5, 5-T-7; Blue section leader, white Battle "E" both sides of fuselage just aft of fwd. step, single white LSO stripe, otherwise standard colors (SSIA); listed as 5-T-1 (Prof, painting); with VT-5 until 1941, transfer to VT-7; survived tour, listed at NAS Norfolk on 6/4/42 (Prof); transferred to NAS Dahlgren as trainer until scrapped on 8/9/1944. (photos, SSIA pp20,21)

0332 Delivered to VT-5, 5-T-8; Blue top, full colors (MS 48-14); large white battle "E" carried behind the fwd step, single white LSO stripe in 1940 photo. (SSIA, pg 18); aircraft stalled after waveoff on 6/3/40 while with VT-6.  AC recovered, stricken.  Ens. Randolph Mitchell Holder, A-V(N), USNR rescued (MH).

0333 Delivered to VT-5, 5-T-9; Blue bottom, full colors (MS 48-14); large white battle "E" carried behind the fwd step, single white LSO stripe in 1940 photo. (SSIA, pg 18).  A/C ditched by Lt. Leonard Ewoldt/ MM Ray Machalinski while returning from Tulagi strike, 5/4/42. (Aero, personal correspondence/Machalinski)

0334 Delivered to VT-5, 5-T-13; Green section leader, full colors (MS 48-14); aircraft lost 7/22/38, still as 5-T-13.  Crashed in Woodbridge, CT.  Lt. J. F. McDonough, Lt.(jg) W. J. Drumtra, and AvCad J. R. Patch all killed (MH).

0335 Delivered to VT-5, 5-T-14; Green top, full colors (MS 48-14) later lost with VT-6 as (6-T-) 14 on 1/16/42 due to forced landing at sea.  Harold F. Dixon, ACMM(NAP),  Anthony J. Pastula, and AOM2 Gene D. Aldrich, RM3 found on raft 34 days later. (MH)

0336 Delivered to VT-5, 5-T-15; Green top, full colors (MS 48-14); stricken 5/9/44 (MH).

0337 Delivered to VT-5, 5-T-1; Red section leader, full colors (MS 48-14); aircraft lost in ramp strike 10/27/38 still as 5-T-1.   Lt.Cdr. J. M. Craig (pilot) rescued (MH).

0338 Delivered to VT-5, 5-T-2; Red top, full colors (MS 48-14); later damaged in action and placed out of commission with VT-6 as T-11, CHMACH Steven Burdette Smith and Wilfred N. McCoy, ARM2c OK 6/4/42. (MH)  Stricken 10/12/43 (MH).  Color photo of 0338 in April 1939 as 5-T-2, on magazine cover (courtesy William T. Larkins)

0339 Delivered to VT-5, 5-T-3; Red bottom, full colors (MS 48-14); later to VT-3, painted in Barclay Design 8 pattern for trials (photos SSIA, pg 29); repainted normally in Fall, 1940; later lost with VT-2 onboard Lexington in Coral Sea, 5/8/42 (Prof).

0340 Delivered to VT-6, 6-T-10; Black section leader, full colors (MS 48-14); later lost with VT-3 (on CV-5) as T-6?, CH MACH John William Haas and William A. Phillips, ARM3c KIA 6/4/42. (MH)

0341 Delivered to VT-6, 6-T-11; Black top, full colors (MS 48-14); later lost with VT-3 (on CV-5) as T-7, LT.Patrick Henry Hart (XO) and John Ralph Cole, ARM1c KIA 6/4/42. (MH)

0342 Delivered to VT-6, 6-T-12; Black bottom, full colors (MS 48-14); later operated by VJ-3 aboard fleet repair ship USS Rigel (AR-11) 3/19-4/4/40 (SSIA); transferred back to VT-6 and lost as T-10, Lt. Arthur Vincent Ely (XO) and Arthur Richard Lindgren, RM3c KIA 6/4/42. (MH)

0343 Delivered to VT-6, 6-T-13; Green section leader, full colors (MS 48-14); later with VT-6 as 6-T-2, flown by LCDR Lance E. Massey, XO. Aircraft carried small Japanese flag with sinking ship on stbd fuselage under windscreen as Massey sank a ship earlier with this aircraft (TGS); lost with VT-3 as T-8, ENS David John Roche and Charles Lee Moore, ARM3c KIA 6/4/42. (MH) NOTE:  6-T-2 (presumably piloted by Massey) is seen in "Dive Bomber" at 02:15 taxiing forward and folding wings immediately after landing.  Aircraft in overall grey, camera brackets and forward .50 mounted, twin antennas mounted per VT-6 practice.  Visible in VT-6 Formation Color Photo

0344 Delivered to VT-6, 6-T-14; Green top, full colors (MS 48-14); transferred to VT-3, then VT-5.  Lost at sea with VT-5 on 4/21/41 as 5-T-6 with VT-5 during Fleet maneuvers off Oahu.  Wing airbags inflated at 5000-ft, aircraft spun in.  Ens. Donald D. Whyte (pilot), A. L. Chistensen, ACOM bailed out but was killed, and M. S. Starcevich, Sea2 bailed out with minor injuries (TG).  This info from TG should be considered factual, and is corroborated by data from MH (record comes from Naval loss microfilm); SSIA lists date as 5/25/41.

0345 Delivered to VT-6, 6-T-15; Green bottom, full colors (MS 48-14); later lost with VT-2 onboard Lexington in Coral Sea, 5/8/42 (Prof). Visible in VT-6 Formation Color Photo

0346 Delivered to VT-6, 6-T-16; Yellow section leader/black trim, full colors; later to VT-4 on Ranger Atlantic Patrol, 6/42 (Prof).  Stricken 1/31/44 (MH).

0347 Delivered to VT-6, 6-T-17; Yellow top/black trim, full colors (MS 48-14); listed with Advanced Carrier Training Group, Pacific on 6/4/42 (Prof); later ditched 1/22/1943 off Virginia Key in Biscayne Bay during torpedo run.  Ens. Glen Shean and L.H. Castleman, AMM2 OK. Later recovered by Navy and stricken (MH)

0348 Delivered to VT-6, 6-T-18; Yellow bottom (with black trim), full colors (MS 48-14), .50 cal mounted, gun camera mount present in LIFE color photo.  Aircraft lost with VT-6 on 4/16/41 at 07:35 after takeoff from NAS North Island, headed for CV-6.  Left wing folded after take-off at 150-ft, aircraft crashed.  Ens. Edgar B. Rowley (pilot), H. J. Roy, Sea1c, and W. L. Rose, RM2c all killed (MH).  Visible on Deck of CV-6 in Color Photo

0349 Listed at NAS San Diego on 6/4/42 (Prof)  Stricken 8/4/43 (MH).

0350 With VT-6, coded T-4 at Midway; crew: LT Robert E. Laub, William Colquitt Humphrey, Jr., ARM1c; turned away from attack on Mogami and Mikuma due to heavy AA, returned to Enterprise. Later to training unit at NAS Miami; damaged beyond repair in runway collision 2/14/1943; Ens. Clark W. Miller and R.T. Lacey, AMM3c uninjured. (UAS)  Note:  MH lists event as 12/24/42, this is likely correct.

0351 Aircraft lost 7/28/38 with VN-4 as D8;  wing folded on takeoff.  AvCad L. D. Lunn killed (MH).

0352 Out of commission by 6/4/42? Not listed in Profile "TBD Order of Battle"

0353 Aircraft delivered on 4/14/38 to VT-5 (UAS; side code??); utilized in attack on SHOHO and SHOKAKU, 7/8 May 42, returned safely (LP; side code??); listed with VT-5 at Pearl Harbor, 6/4/42 (Prof); later with training sqdn. at NAS Pensacola, coded "82" with red tail, cowl front, and fuselage band (Don Greer, SSIA profile); listed in gear-up landing, date unknown (NAC); ditched off Miami Beach during torpedo training 9/2/1943. Ens. Bruce T. Mallory and Alfred M. Jackson, AMM1c uninjured. Aircraft being salvaged by consortium led by Doug Champlin; see http://www.nwrain.com/~newtsuit/recoveries/tbd-1/tbd001.htm (UAS). Aircraft in BG-LG, large stars when lost according to wreck photos. News Update of 7/10/99 regarding salvage rights  Photo of 0353 after gear-up landing

**** NOTE: For those interested in the exact wording of the 11th Circuit Court's 17 July 2000 overturning of a previous district court's decision to cede salvage rights of 0353 to Champlain & Co., click HERE and read very carefully.  The Navy has YET to accomplish anything on 0353 other than keeping the aircraft submerged to rot.  This is an absolute farce and I recommend contacting your Congressperson regarding this historic aircraft...if the aircraft belongs to the United States, as the court opinion states, then we as a country have the right to demand action on this.

0354 Listed as damaged at NAS Pensacola on 11/6/40 as #75 (NAC); with VT-5 as T-2 (no "T" in fuselage code) on 3/10/42, flown by Lt. Leonard E. Ewoldt on strikes in Huron Gulf (dk blue-grey over grey, full chord wing insignia, A/C number under front corner of rearmost sliding hood portion- TGS); flown by LT(jg) Tom Ellison on 7 May in Coral Sea engagement (TGS);  later lost with VT-3 (on CV-5) as T-9, ENS Carl August Osberg and Richard Matthew Hanson, ARM3c KIA 6/4/42. (MH)

0355 Aircraft listed with VT-4 on Ranger Atlantic Patrol, 6/42 (Prof); stricken 10/12/43 (MH).

0356 Aircraft at NAS Pensacola as #86, 1938; later listed at NAS Alameda on 6/4/42 (Prof); aircraft stricken 1/31/44 while with VN-5 at NATT Chicago. (Aero, MH)

0357 Aircraft stricken 10/12/43 (MH)..

0358 Delivered to VT-2/3? 1938; ditched Pensacola Bay 8/15/38 due to hydraulic failure; retrieved, repaired, returned to service with VT-5. (photo SSIA, pg 23)  Stricken 1/31/43 (MH).

0359 Aircraft lost with VT-5 as 5-T-13 on 6/4/41 (not a typo) at 10:20 on Neutrality Patrol in Atlantic; LT Joe Franklin Taylor, USNA 27 (CO) suffered ramp strike on landing, tore off port wing and continued over side.  Taylor and radioman CRM (PA) Harrison S. Nobbs rescued, but AMM1c B.W. Brooks lost with aircraft. (TGS, MH, TG; Geary lists Taylor as "lost at sea", but the Naval microfiche records *may* either be wrong, or there was another Joe Taylor in VT-5.  Lt. Taylor later led VT-5 in early war raids.) 

0360 Originally delivered to VT-5 as replacement aircraft (JL); aircraft listed with VT-4 on Ranger Atlantic Patrol, 6/42 (Prof)  Stricken 10/12/43 (MH)

0361 Lost with VT-3 (on CV-5) as T-10, LT (jg) Richard Wayne Suesens (OO) and Troy L. Barkley, ARM2c KIA 6/4/42. (MH)

0362 Listed at NAS Norfolk on 6/4/42 (Prof)  Stricken 1/31/44 (MH)

0363 Listed at NAS San Diego on 6/4/42 (Prof); later crashed during torpedo practice off Miami beach 8/27/1943. Ens. Donald E. Brown, Hugh W. McCain, Sea2c killed.

0364 Aircraft lost with VT-8 as T-11, LT(jg) George Marvin Campbell and Ronald Joseph Fisher, ARM2c KIA 6/4/42. (MH) Aircraft retrofitted with twin .30 mount from CV-6 SBD spares stocks prior to Midway. (SSIA)

0365 Aircraft lost with VT-6 as T-12, ENS. Flournoy Glen Hodges and John Hall Bates, RM2c KIA 6/4/42. (MH)

0366 Aircraft lost with VT-6 as T-6, LT (jg) John Thomas Eversole (PO) and John Udell Lane, RM2c KIA 6/4/42. (MH)  NOTE:  May be same aircraft coded 6-T-6 seen at 02:28 in "Dive Bomber" taxiing forward just after landing, wings folded.  Aircraft in overall grey scheme, single antenna.

0367 Aircraft lost with VT-6 as T-8, MACH Albert Waldo Winchell wounded, William D. Horton, ARM2c OK 6/4/42. (MH) Note: NHC lists radioman of Winchell as Douglas M. Cossitt, ARM3c, recovered OK after 17 days at sea on raft.  National Archives photo of T-8 manned and spotted on deck of CV-6 on 11 April 42 shows faded BG-LG scheme, oversized stripes covering entire rudder assembly, one LSO stripe up left side of fin, slightly overlapping to right side, BuNo just visible, small fuselage star just forward of horizontal stab, no. 8 just aft of gunner's cockpit ("Golden Wings", Sullivan/Lucabaugh, Squadron Pubs., pg. 11 top)

0368 Delivered to VT-6 (photo of tail only in SSIA); at Midway 6/4/42 as T-5, turned away from attack on Mogami and Mikuma due to heavy AA, returned to Enterprise. Crew: MACH Harry A. Mueller, Ronald W. Graetz, ARM3c. (MH states crew as ENS Irvin Herbert McPherson and William D. Horton, ARM2c both OK)  Stricken 10/12/43  (MH).

0369 Aircraft lost at El Paso, TX on 11/26/39 with BATFOR.  AvCad Lee T. Rowe and  H. Willis, MessAtt killed, 1Pvt. C. K. Wise OK? (MH)

0370 Listed with VT-3 as 3-T-10, 1939 (WL); later lost with VT-6 in overside landing on CV-6, 5/28/1942 as T-1; LCDR Eugene Elbert Lindsey USNA 27 (CO), ARM1c Charles T. Grant, and CAP Thomas E. Schaffer OK. (Navy, MH)

0371 (VT-3) hit barrier on USS Saratoga on landing 12/6/1941 and went overside.  Ens. Oswald Aaron Powers, A-V(N), USNR rescued (MH).

0372 Aircraft lost with VT-8 as T-13, ENS William Warner Abercrombie and Bernard Phillip Phelps, ARM2c KIA 6/4/42. (MH) Aircraft retrofitted with twin .30 mount from CV-6 SBD spares stocks prior to Midway. (SSIA)

0373 Aircraft lost 1/12/40 with VT-3 while flying as instrument trainer, mid-air collision with 0292 20 miles east of Julian, CA.  Ens. Harold M. Funk (pilot) parachuted with serious injuries, E. E. Jackson, RM3 parachuted safely, J. A. Crowson, RM1 killed in crash. (MH, TG)

0374 Aircraft stricken 1/31/44 (MH).

0375 Lost with VT-3 (on CV-5) as T-11, Ens. Oswald A. Powers and Joseph Emile Mandeville, SEA2c KIA 6/4/42. (MH); listed as "returned to Yorktown" in Profile, this is likely incorrect.

0376 Listed at Pearl Harbor, 6/4/42 (Prof); stricken 1/29/43 (MH).

0377 Aircraft lost with VT-2 on 3/4/41 in forced landing at sea after engine failure during bombing practice. Force landed in sea, flotation gear malfunctioned, aircraft sank in 100 fathoms 5 mi. west of Mission Beach, CA..  Lt. W. A. Howland and crew OK, rescued by USS Williams. (MH, TG)

0378 Listed in deck crash on CV-6 as 6-T-14 (BT); Aircraft lost with VT-6 as T-9, LT(jg) Randolph Mitchell Holder and Gregory Joseph Durawa, ARM3c KIA 6/4/42. (MH)

0379 Aircraft stricken 1/31/44 (MH).

0380 Aircraft lost on 3/17/41 with VT-5 as 5-T-2 in mid-air collision with 0278.  Ens. Kirby L. Berry, M. O. DeJarnett, AOM3, and B. D. Cristman, RM2 all killed.  Ens. Berry attempted to close too fast on Lt. Robinson, leading to collision 2500 yds off port bow of CV-5.  (MH, TGS)

0381 Aircraft lost with VT-3 (on CV-5) as T-12, Ens. Wesley Frank Osmos and William A Phillips, Jr. ARM3c KIA 6/4/42. (MH)

1505/1519 ordered to cover attrition in Fleet units

1505 Listed as 6-T-3 in 1940; later lost with VT-6, as T-13, Lt. Paul James Riley (GO) and Edwin John Mushiniski, ARM2c KIA 6/4/42. (MH)

1506 Aircraft lost with VT-8 as T-16, LCDR John Charles Waldron (CO) and CRMP Horace Franklin Dobbs KIA 6/4/42. Aircraft retrofitted with twin .30 mount from CV-6 SBD spares stocks prior to Midway. (SSIA) Photo of aircraft with VT-8

1507 Out of commission by 6/4/42? Not listed in Profile "TBD Order of Battle"

1508 Aircraft lost with VS-71 on 2/21/41 (1045 hrs); stalled on approach 150 yds aft of carrier during refresher landing practice on CV-7 Wasp in Gtmo. Bay area.  Ralph M. Sherman,  AMM1(NAP) killed (sank with aircraft). (MH, TG)  Coordinates of loss listed by TG as 19-50N 75-12W.

1509 Aircraft lost with VT-8 as T-10, ENS Henry Russell Kenyon, Jr. and David Lawrence Clark, ARM3c KIA 6/4/42. (MH) Aircraft retrofitted with twin .30 mount from CV-6 SBD spares stocks prior to Midway. (SSIA)

1510 Listed at Naval Proving Ground, Dahlgren MD on 6/4/42 (Prof); stricken 8/9/44 (MH).

1511 Aircraft lost with VT-3 (on CV-5) as T-13?, aircrew not mentioned? (MH)

1512 Aircraft with VT-6 in 1940 as 6-T-5; full colors, white top cowl/black trim, LSO stripe; possible replacement aircraft for 0326?...later lost with VT-6 as T-2, LT(jg) Severin Louis Rombach and Wilburn Forrest Glenn, ARM2c KIA 6/4/42. (MH) Visible in VT-6 Formation Color Photo; Visible on Deck in Color Photo

1513 Aircraft with VT-3 (on CV-5) as T-14, out of commission before 6/3/42 and lost with CV-5 on 6/7/42.

1514 Aircraft lost with VT-2 on Lexington, 5/8/42. (Prof)

1515 VT-5, 5-T-6, crash landed in lagoon at Jaluit Atoll, Marshall Islands Feb 1, 1942. Crew POW: ENS. Herbert R. Hein, Jr., A-V(N), Joseph D. Strahl AOM3c, and Marshal E. Windham, SEA1c. Aircraft recently rediscovered (photo on Chris Hawkinson's website). Standard early war BG-LG scheme, striped rudder.

1516 Aircraft lost with VT-2 on Lexington, 5/8/42. (Prof)

1517 Aircraft with VT-3 (on CV-5), left at Pearl Harbor prior to departure for Midway; listed at NAS Miami, 10/42-12/43 (Aero); stricken 1/31/44 (MH).

1518 Issued to Marine Corps Base Air Detachment Two (BAD-2) at NAS North Island, CA; transferred to VMS-2 on 3/26/41, used as target tug, scout trainer, squadron hack until 5/6/41; transferred to VT-3, then VT-6, then to VT-8 on 4/29/42. (SSIA). Lost as T-14 at Midway 6/4/1942. Ensign George H Gay found safe, Robert Kingsbury Huntington, ARM3c killed. (BOM) Aircraft retrofitted with twin .30 mount from CV-6 SBD spares stocks prior to Midway. (SSIA) Photo of Gay and George Field, ARM3c on Chris Hawkinson's website MH has this aircraft stricken on 8/9/44.

1519Ground school airframe since 1941 (MH); listed at Naval Proving Ground, Dahlgren MD on 6/4/42 (Prof); stricken 10/30/43 (MH).

Reference codes in parentheses at end of specific listings:

Aero=    Doll, T.E. , Jackson. B.R. (1973). Douglas TBD-1 Devastator. Fallbrook, CA: Aero Publishers, Inc.

AirInt=    "Devastator-The Not-So-Devastating TBD-1" (1990, March). AIR International , 38, 148-156.

BT=    Tillman, Barrett (August, 1990). Douglas TBD: The Maligned Warrior. The Hook, 18, 18-34.

BOM=    Battle of Midway site by Chris Hawkinson (www.centuryinter.net/midway)

JB=    Joe Baugher’s homepage (http://home.att.net/~jbaugher)

JL=    Personal correspondence with Joe Lyons, 2000

LIFE=    LIFE Magazine, March 31, 1941; pp58-60

LP=    www.lanepowell.com/news/admwin00.htm,  copy of Admiralty court ruling from 7/10/99

MH=    Author/Historian Mark Horan, via personal email and Battle of Midway page (www.centuryinter.net/midway)

MS 48-14=    Microscale data sheet from decal set 48-14

NHS=    Naval Historical Center

Prof=    Doll, T.E. (1967). Profile Publications Number 171 - The Douglas TBD-1 Devastator. Leatherhead, Surrey, England: Profile Publications Ltd

SSIA=    Adcock, A. (1989). TBD Devastator in Action Aircraft Number 97. Carrollton, TX: Squadron/Signal Publications

NAS=    Doll, T.E., Jackson, B.R., and Riley, W.A. (1983). Navy Air Colors Vol. 1 1911-1945. Carrollton, TX: Squadron/Signal Publications

TGS=    Cressman, Robert.  That Gallant Ship, USS Yorktown (CV-5). Pictoral Histories Publishing Co., Missoula MT.  Fourth printing 2000.

TG=    Historian Terence Geary, personal correspondence and US Navy EGroups discussion forum (info from Naval Aviation Safety Center Aircraft Accident Reports microfiche rolls)

UAS=    Underwater Archaeological Services website (http://www.nwrain.com/~newtsuit/recoveries/tbd-1/tbd001.htm)

WL=    Larkins, W.L. (1959). U.S. Navy Aircraft 1921-1941. Concord, CA: Aviation History Publications