Was the AN-M58A1 the 500lb bomb carried by USN SBDs during the Battle of Midway?

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Rob Stuart
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Was the AN-M58A1 the 500lb bomb carried by USN SBDs during the Battle of Midway?

#1

Post by Rob Stuart » 07 Aug 2022, 18:06

As is well known, on 4 June 1942 some of the SDBs which attacked KdB were armed with 500lb bombs whiles others carried the 1000lb bomb. Was the AN-M58A1 the 500lb bomb?

Related question: For what delay were the 500lb bombs' fuses set? 0.2 seconds perhaps?

Richard Anderson
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Re: Was the AN-M58A1 the 500lb bomb carried by USN SBDs during the Battle of Midway?

#2

Post by Richard Anderson » 07 Aug 2022, 18:52

Rob Stuart wrote:
07 Aug 2022, 18:06
As is well known, on 4 June 1942 some of the SDBs which attacked KdB were armed with 500lb bombs whiles others carried the 1000lb bomb. Was the AN-M58A1 the 500lb bomb?

Related question: For what delay were the 500lb bombs' fuses set? 0.2 seconds perhaps?
Rob, M58 SAP did not begin production until May 1942, so it is unlikely. More likely is the AN-M43/M43 or the AN-M64/M64A1. I'll try to see if the squadron records say.

Addendum: no, it doesn't look like any of the action reports mention the type pf bombs used.
Richard C. Anderson Jr.

American Thunder: U.S. Army Tank Design, Development, and Doctrine in World War II
Cracking Hitler's Atlantic Wall
Hitler's Last Gamble
Artillery Hell


Rob Stuart
Member
Posts: 1200
Joined: 18 Apr 2009, 01:41
Location: Ottawa

Re: Was the AN-M58A1 the 500lb bomb carried by USN SBDs during the Battle of Midway?

#3

Post by Rob Stuart » 08 Aug 2022, 13:30

Richard, thanks very much. I appreciate the info.

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