United States (Navy): Difference between revisions
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==Miscellaneous Navy Photos== | ==Miscellaneous Navy Photos== | ||
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Revision as of 16:13, 8 July 2021
The US Navy was the 3rd most prolific operator of the Douglas Invader, after the US Air force, and the French Air Force (Armeé de L'Air). The Navy operated 152 Invaders under the designation JD-1 - or "Jim Dogs", as the sailors called them. The JD-1s were used as utility planes that towed aerial targets and many were modified to be drone carriers and became JD-1D.
In 1962 the Navy combined designation systems with the Air Force. The JD-1 became the UB-26J, and the JD-1D became the DB-26J.
Accuracy of Information
There is a not a lot of information abiut the JD-1s readily available, which may be why much of what is published is wrong.
Some sources only list JD-1s as being active in VU-3, 4, 7, and 10. However, photographic evidence proves the JD-1s were active to some extent in 10 Utility Squadrons.
Similarly, some sources claim that only 141 Invaders were given to the Navy, but we have BuNos for 152 of them.
Some sources claim that only 1 XJD-1 was developed, but we have information of two different XJD-1s.
Due to lack of available records from the Navy, our information is also incomplete. However, despite this limitation, this should be the most accurate information on the JD-1s anywhere, as we are actively comparing the US Navy data with the USAF data and primary and secondary sources to create a clearer picture of the Navy’s planes. As always, we will correct any mistakes and continually update our information as new records become available.
Background and Development
As WWII was winding down the US Navy wanted some aircraft for target tugs and general utility use. The US Army Air Corps happened to have roughly 200 Invaders laying around that they didnt want. These planes had been cutom built for the British Royal Air Force, but the RAF cancelled the order as the war was winding down in Europe and the bombers were superfluous at that point. Being modified to RAF specifications, the USAAC didnt want them.
Two prototypes were developed for the Navy. Ex-USAF 44-34217 became a hard nose XJD-1 Prototype, and 44-35467 became a glass-nosed XJD-1 Prototype. Both of the XJD-1 Prototypes were tested at NAS Norfolk and assigned to Utility Squadron 4. At this time the squadron was designated VJ-4, but later it would be designated VU-4. The XJD-1s were painted gloss yellow all overall with gloss black engine nacelles. Of the two, the Navy preferred the glass-nosed version, and placed an order to procure 150 more, the vast majority of these coming from the unused RAF Invaders.
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Initially, the Navy's JD-1 planes kept the standard C-Model nose.
Eventually this transitioned to a version that painted over the upper portion of the nose was painted in line with the fuselage panel. The result was that only the very tip of the nose was left exposed. The Navy mounted aerial radar into the noses of the JD-1s.
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Eventually, the standard C-model noses were replaced with custom noses built specifically for the JD-1 and the radar dish.
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It's important to note that while all of the Navy Invaders eventually converted to the new nose design, not all of the planes were equipped with the nose radar. There are numerous pictures of planes with no nose radar equipment at all.
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The Navy Invaders had a mix of the Generation 2 (flip up) and Generation 3 (clam shell) canopy designs.
This is a list of US Navy Tail Codes as it relates to the JD-1 Utility Squadrons.
| Squadron | Navy Tail Code | Date Assigned | Date Stopped | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| VU-1 | UA | 7 Nov 1946 | ||
| VU-2 | UB | 7 Nov 1946 | ||
| VU-2 | UJ | Jan 1952 | 1957 | |
| VU-2 | JE | 1957 | Sep 1980 | Squadron Disestablished. |
| VU-3 | UC | 7 Nov 1946 | ||
| VU-3 | UF | 1948 | ||
| VU-4 | UD | 7 Nov 1946 | ||
| VU-5 | UE | 7 Nov 1946 | ||
| VU-6 | UF | 7 Nov 1946 | 1948 | |
| VU-6 | UG | Mar 1952 | 1957 | |
| VU-6 | JG | 1957 | Aug 2008 | Squadron Disestablished |
| VU-7 | UH | 7 Nov 1946 | ||
| VU-8 | UI | 7 Nov 1946 | ||
| VU-9 | UK | 7 Nov 1946 | ||
| VU-10 | UL | 7 Nov 1946 | ||
| VU-10 | JH | 1957 | Aug 1993 | Squadron Disestablished |
| VX-2 | XB | 7 Nov 1956 | 1957 | |
| VX-2 | JB | 1957 |
- VU-1 - Utility Squadron 1
- VU-2 - Utility Squadron 2
- VU-3 - Utility Squadron 3
- VU-4 - Utility Squadron 4
- VU-5 - Utility Squadron 5
- VU-7 - Utility Squadron 7
- VU-9 - Utility Squadron 9
- VU-10 - Utility Squadron 10
- VX-2 - Operational Development Squadron 2
- Mugu Point
- China Lake
The Navy Bureau Number list is incomplete. The US Navy has not yet made these Bureau Number Records available online. As such I can only cross-reference a handful of these planes to their original USAF serials. Naval history and service is limited to what can be gleaned from photos at this time. If you have any additional information that can help fill in gaps, please let us know.
57XXX
These two planes were the original XJD-1 prototypes ordered by the Navy.
771XX
7713X
7714X
7715X
7716X
7717X
7718X
7719X
772XX
7720X
7721X
7722X
80XXX
890XX
1403XX
14032X
14033X
14034X
14035X
14036X
14037X
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