Vultee Vengeance III

Vultee Aircraft · United States · first flew 1941 · bomber

The Vultee Vengeance III is a variant designation used by the Royal Air Force for the A-35B dive bomber, a purpose-built single-engine dive bomber developed for the Allied powers in World War II.

Recognition (WEFT)

W — Wings	Low-mounted, tapered
E — Engines	1 × piston, nose-mounted
F — Fuselage	12.12 m fuselage
T — Tail	Conventional

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Spot it by:

Single-engine dive bomber with prominent greenhouse canopy
Fixed spatted undercarriage on early marks
British and Commonwealth variant designation

Distinguished by its single large radial engine, low-wing monoplane configuration, and the greenhouse-style tandem cockpit canopy characteristic of 1940s dive bombers.

Specifications

The Vultee Vengeance III has a length of 12.12 m (40 ft).
It has a wingspan of 14.63 m (48 ft).
Its maximum speed is 449 km/h (279 mph).
Typical crew: 2.

Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.

History

Vultee developed the Vengeance in response to European combat experience demonstrating the effectiveness of dive bombing. The type served primarily with British Commonwealth forces in the Burma campaign where it operated beyond the range of Japanese fighter interception. It was phased out of front-line service as the dive bomber concept fell from favour in British strategic planning.

Variants

The Vengeance series ran through Marks I to IV, differing mainly in powerplant and equipment fits; the Mark III corresponds to the US Army's A-35B with a Wright R-2600 engine.

Where you'll see it

Served with the RAF and Royal Australian Air Force primarily in the CBI theatre; also operated by the Indian Air Force and the Brazilian Air Force.

Related aircraft

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