AH Challenge: Skypirates!

Challenge: Create a TL where the Douglas TB2D Skypirate, capable of carrying four torpedoes at once, is actually used in combat. Bonus points if it gets actually used by actual pirates!

TB2D_Skypirate.jpg


Simon ;)
 
Hmmm...not enough info on those interwebs. I'll assume OTL it arrived late in the war?

OK: Midway a disaster for the US Navy. Japan will eventually lose (as will Germany, say roughly similar to OTL), but Japan lasts another 6-18 months. As such the Skypirate goes into production and sees action in some of the last naval battles with the IJN, being credited with the sinking of the Yamato.

As such, while the major allies transition to jets post-war, Douglass sells several to developing nations thanks to its war reputation.

One of these nations is Indonesia. They see service up to the early 60's before being sold off or scrapped.

One ends up in the hands of a small band of Indonesian pirates (former PRRI) operating off of one of the many tiny islands. They use it to strafe and intimidate target ships during seizure ops. Eventually it is intercepted and shot down by an Indonesian MiG-17.

YARRR!!! :cool:
 

CalBear

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You need a way to delay the start of the Pacific War but still show the need for large carriers. IOTL the Navy didn't make the decision to go with single seat attack planes until 1943. That means you have to get the aircraft ordered and well into testing before the AM or the A-1, which were much better uses of aircraft and aircrew than a single use multi-crewed aircraft.

Be a good idea if you can kill jets too.
 
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