United States (Navy): Difference between revisions

Revision as of 18:44, 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.

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.

Eventually, the standard C-model noses were replaced with custom noses built specifically for the JD-1 and the radar dish.

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.

The Navy Invaders had a mix of the Generation 2 (flip up) and Generation 3 (clam shell) canopy designs.

Variants

The US Navy operated several different Invader variants, based on the historical record.

XJD-1 - There were two versions of this plane, an XJD-1B, and an XJD-1C. The B model was a hard nose model, ex-USAF 44-34217. It was given the Bureau Number 57990. It is believed that aside from having the armaments removed, this version was identical to the USAF version. The X model was ex-USAF 44-35467 and was a glass nosed model. It is also believed to have been identical in configuration to the USAF version.

JD-1 - This was the Navy's primary version of the Invader. They all were stripped of all guns and were all glass-nosed C-models. Eventually the Navy custom built noses specific to this version.

JD-1D - This version was a modified JD-1 that was outfitted and equipped to be a drone controller.

JD-1X - An experimental version of the JD-1. At this time I do not know any particulars of this variant.

JD-1DX - An experimental version of the JD-1D. At this time I do not know any particulars of this variant.

UB-26J - The JD-1 as it was re-designated in 1962.

DB-26J - The JD-1D as it was re-designated in 1962.

Ejection Seat Testing

In the fall of 1951 the US Navy modified BuNo 77216 to perform Ejection Seat Testing. These tests were conducted over El Centro, CA at a height of 1000' AGL with a 200 lb test dummy. The plane's bomb bay was modified to have an open fighter cockpit installed in the roof. This was the first US Military aircraft to test ejection seats, beating out the Air Force by several months. (The Air Force did not test ejection seats until 21 Mar 1962 in a B-58.) This fact makes this test noteworthy in military aviation history.

File:JD-1 Ejection Seat Testing from NARA WM.jpg File:View of an ejection seat test of JD-1 Invader BuNo 77216.jpg

Navy Tail Codes

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

Navy Squadrons

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

Navy Bureau Numbers (BuNos)

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.

57990
57991

771XX

7713X

77139

7714X

7715X

7716X

7717X

7718X

7719X

772XX

7720X

7721X

7722X

80XXX

80621
80622

890XX

1403XX

14032X

14033X

14034X

14035X

14036X

14037X

Miscellaneous Navy Photos

@@ Line 59: / Line 59: @@
 ==Ejection Seat Testing==
+In the fall of 1951 the US Navy modified BuNo [[77216]] to perform Ejection Seat Testing. These tests were conducted over El Centro, CA at a height of 1000' AGL with a 200 lb test dummy. The plane's bomb bay was modified to have an open fighter cockpit installed in the roof. This was the first US Military aircraft to test ejection seats, beating out the Air Force by several months. (The Air Force did not test ejection seats until 21 Mar 1962 in a B-58.) This fact makes this test noteworthy in military aviation history.
+[[File:77216. USN ejection seat testing with JD-1. El Centro, CA. Jan 1952 WM.jpg|200px]]
+[[File:JD-1 Ejection Seat Testing from NARA WM.jpg|200px]]
+[[File:USN ejection seat testing with JD-1. 1951 WM.jpg|200px]]
+[[File:View of an ejection seat test of JD-1 Invader BuNo 77216.jpg|200px]]<br>
 ==Navy Tail Codes==