Feb 4, 2025
Northrop BT-1
Northrop BT-1 of Bombing 6 aboard USS Enterprise in a pre-war photo. The Northrop BT-1 was a dive bomber operated by the US Navy. First flying on 19 August 1935, a total of 55 were built. Poor handling characteristics restricted its use to only two aircraft carriers, USS Yorktown (CV-5) and USS Enterprise (CV-6). A revised version, incorporating fully retracted undercarriage, leading edge slots, a more powerful engine and a redesigned canopy became the BT-2. An order for 144 was received for the US Navy and they were delivered as the Douglas SBD Dauntless, as Northrop had been taken over and incorporated in Douglas.