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  • One of the lesser known aircraft of WW2.
    The Brewster Bermuda is the name given by the RAF to the Brewster SB2A. In the US Navy service, the aircraft was the SB2A "Buccaneer." The Bermuda was not carrier-capable, although it was designed as a dive bomber. It was developed by Brewster in parallel with the Curtiss SB2C Helldiver. The two aircraft looked similar. Handling and production problems caused two years of delay, and the USN had no need for a new dive bomber when the SB2A was finally available. Many were used as target tugs, others were scrapped straight from the production line. A total of 1052 were built.

    The Bermuda was supplied for FAA assessment under lend-lease when a small number entered RAF service. Only a few were assessed by the Naval unit in the A&AEE Boscombe Down, the first in January 1943 (FF425). In total only five were tested, four dive bombers and one in target towing configuration.

    Armament: Four .30-cal. machine guns and two .50-cal. machine guns, plus provisions for up to 1,000 lbs. of bombs
    Engine: Wright R-2600-19 Cyclone radial of 1,600 hp
    Maximum speed: 295 mph
    Cruising speed: Approx. 180 mph
    Range: 1,650 miles
    Service ceiling: 28,000 ft.
    Span: 47 ft. 0 in.
    Length: 39 ft. 2 in.
    Height: 10 ft. 10 in.
    Weight: 12,700 lbs. maximum
    Crew: Two (pilot and observer/rear gunner)
    Serial numbers: Air Corps serial numbers not assigned, but RAF Lend-Lease aircraft delivered as FF 419 to FF 868
    FF425
    FF444
    Bermuda
    FF741
    4picturedduringservicewiththeRCAFatCFBSuffieldAlbertaCanada
    20FAA

    Regards Duggy.
     

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