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VT-3 Founded :
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VT-3
| Aces for : VT-3 | ||
| A list of all Aces from our database who are known to have flown with this squadron. A profile page is available by clicking the pilots name. | ||
| Name | Victories | Info |
| David Lee Tex Hill | 18.25 | The signature of David Lee Tex Hill features on some of our artwork - click here to see what is available. |
| Aircraft for : VT-3 | |||
| A list of all aircraft known to have been flown by VT-3. A profile page including a list of all art prints for the aircraft is available by clicking the aircraft name. | |||
| Squadron | Info | ||
Manufacturer : Douglas Production Began : 1937 Number Built : 129 | Devastator The Douglas TBD Devastator torpedo-bomber was the first low-wing, all metal monoplane to see service with the US Navy. The TBD Devastator was the first with a totally enclosed cockpit and the first with hydraulically folding wings. The Devastator also had a semi-retractable undercarriage was fitted, with the wheels designed to protrude 10 in (250 mm) below the wings to permit a wheels up landing with only minimal damage. A total of 129 of the type were purchased by the U.S. Navys Bureau of Aeronautics (BuAer), equipping the carriers USS Saratoga, USS Lexington, USS Wasp, USS Enterprise, USS Hornet, USS Ranger and USS Yorktown. And delivered in 1937 about 100 TBDs were in service when the Japanese attack at Pearl Harbor thrust the United States into WW II. Powered by a 811-HP Pratt and Whitney radial engine, the TBD had a maximum speed of about 200 MPH and a range of about 700 miles. Unfortunately, given the design of the torpedoes used, attacks had to be made at a maximum speed of only about 110 MPH, and at an altitude of no more than 100 feet. This made the Devastator a sitting duck for both enemy fighters or anti-aircraft gunners | ||
| Signatures for : VT-3 | |||||||
| A list of all signatures from our database who are associated with this squadron. A profile page is available by clicking their name. | |||||||
| Name | Info | ||||||
Bill Esders Click the name above to see prints signed by Bill Esders | Bill Esders Commander Bill Esders was one of the few pilots able to launch his torpedo at the Japanese fleet. He was one of only two survivors of the carrier borne TBD assault by VT-3. With his gunner fatally wounded, Esders ditched his TBD-1 in sight of the battle and was later rescued by a friendly destroyer. | ||||||
  Colonel Tex Hill Click the name or photo above to see prints signed by or with the mounted signature of Colonel Tex Hill
| Colonel Tex Hill Tex Hill was born in Korea on 13th July 1915. Tex Hill graduated as a Naval Aviator in 1939, and after serving as a Navy Pilot, Tex Hill volunteered for the A.V.G., becoming Squadron Leader in the 2nd Sqn (Panda Bears) until disbandment in 1942, by which time he had 12.25 air victories, making him the second highest ranking Ace in the American Volunteer Group. He remained in China, as the first squadron commander of the 75th F S /23rd F G before returning to the U.S. He went back to China to command the 23rd F G, increasing his total to 18.25 victories. In late 1943 he led a group of 30 aircraft on the first strike against Formosa. During this mission, 42 enemy aircraft were confirmed destroyed, with a possible 12 more, while all 30 aircraft under Tex Hill's command returned safely. Returning to the US, he commanded the 412th Fighter Group, the first jet aircraft group. Here, he flew P-80 Shooting Stars and YP-59 Airacomets. His decorations include a Distinguished Service Cross, Silver Star, Legion of Merit, 4 Distinguished Flying Crosses, 2 Air Medals, 2 Presidential Unit Citations, 6 decorations awarded by China, and a Distinguished Flying Cross from the UK. Sadly, Tex Hill died on 11th October 2007.
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