8/13/2019 SB2U Vindicator

1/11

New Search

[1990.536.001] Aircraft - 'SB2U-2 Aircraft, Bureau Number 1383'

SB2U-2 Aircraft, Bureau Number 1383

Accession Number 1990.536.001Accession Date 03/11/1990

Creator Creator Creator RoleManufacturer

Date Created 1939

Object Desciption The last SB2U-2 delivered to the Navy, the museum's Vindicator joined the fleet in 1939, and logged flightswith four squadrons. These included Bombing Squadron (VB) 4 and Scouting Squadron (VS) 41 on board thecarrier Ranger (CV 4) and Fighting Squadron (VF) 71 on board Wasp (CV 7). Service in the former carrier in

1941 included duty on the Neutrality Patrol, tracking hostile vessels approaching the shores of the United

States. Equipping VB-9, a squadron destined for service on board Essex (CV 9), the museum's SB2U-2 served

to train squadron pilots on the deck of the auxiliary carrier Charger (ACV 30). The aircraft then transferred

the Carrier Qualification Training Unit (CQTU) at Naval Air Station (NAS) Glenview, Illinois in May 1943, thefollowing month heading out over the waters of Lake Michigan with Marine Second Lieutenant A.W. Lemmons

in the cockpit.

Favorable flying conditions prevailed that day of 21 June 1943, when Lemmons settled into the groove asternof the training aircraft carrier Wolverine (IX-64) steaming through the waters of Lake Michigan. However, as

can easily happen in the dangerous business of landing an aircraft on a ship, events quickly turned for the

worse. The landing signal officer (LSO) stationed on the aft part of the flight deck whipped his arm across hischest, the signal to cut engine power and land. Lemmons for some reason did not fully respond to the LSO.

The SB2U-2 continued up the deck, heading towards the barrier designed to stop aircraft that missed the

arresting wires. The pilot attempted to pull his nose up to clear this obstacle, but his extended tailhook

caught the top of it, breaking off. With nothing to stop it, the scout-bomber hit the deck and rolled of f the

starboard bow. Lemmons was rescued, but his craft sank into the depths of the lake, where it was destinedto remain for the next forty-seven years.

Recovered from Lake Michigan in 1990, the relic that arrived in Pensacola bore the scars of nearly a half-

century underwater, its fabric covering all but gone, many of its steel components rusted away, and whatremained encrusted in marine growth.

The laborious process of restoring the Vindicator to its former glory began with stripping it down to its bare

bones. Individual components were disassembled piece by piece, meticulously photographed and logged,then cleaned, treated with anti corrosion chemicals, and reconditioned. This process revealed that bringing

http://collections.naval.aviation.museum/DtlQuery.phphttp://collections.naval.aviation.museum/DtlQuery.phphttp://collections.naval.aviation.museum/DtlQuery.phphttp://collections.naval.aviation.museum/emuwebdoncoms/pages/common/imagedisplay.php?irn=42206&reftable=ecatalogue&refirn=16017178http://collections.naval.aviation.museum/DtlQuery.php

8/13/2019 SB2U Vindicator

2/11

this SB2U-2 back to life was going to be akin to assembling a giant puzzle. Beginning with only a drawing

from a scale model kit, the restoration staf f began assembling as much research material as possible,

including photographs, drawings, maintenance manuals, and parts catalogs. Many small components likescrews carried the same part numbers as they did in the 1930s and some were still in the Navy inventory

system! Original period parts were gleaned from sources throughout the country as well as the museum'sown collection. When it became necessary to remanufacture a part, oftentimes there was only a photocopy of

a catalog photograph as reference, prompting restorers to examine the aircraft in great detail in order to

locate where the component fit and ensure proper sizing of the replica. The restored aircraft is the result of

over 20,000 hours of restoration work. Wherever possible, the original parts have been treated and returnedto the aircraft in their original condition, the marks of corrosion still visible in the form of holes and rough

areas. Better than 90% of the aircraft, including the engine, which was restored inside and out, is original.The remainder consists of new or remanufactured parts that are as close to original specifications as is

possible. The aircraft was placed on display in February 1999, and is displayed in the markings of VB-9.

Notes "There is a certain unexplainable feeling that you absorb from the bombing business. You get the itch to stickthe nose down, put the power on, and scream like a mammoth hawk at that seemingly defenseless little playboat bouncing along through the seas." This was how Aviation Cadet Boone Guyton described a late-1930s

dive-bombing, a tactic that had assumed increased importance during the interwar years. Beginning in 1926,

the Navy employed a number of aircraft as scout-bombers in an effort to find the most capable platform for

delivering bombs. By the mid-1930s, the possibilities embodied in the monoplane prompted the Navy to issuea contract for the XSB2U-1, a Vought-Sikorsky design that incorporated metal construction with fabric

covering on parts of the wings and fuselage, as well as the control surfaces. The true advantages of theaircraft appeared in its performance figures; its maximum speed eclipsed those of its predecessors in

bombing squadrons by up to 45 M.P.H.

Delivered to fleet squadrons beginning on 20 December 1937, the SB2U-1 claimed the distinction of being

the Navy's first monoplane scout-bomber. "Graceful and clean, it wasa joy to fly- with no life threatening

quirks," recalled one pilot. The leading edge of the wings did have a tendency to wrinkle in a prolonged dive

at high speed, a characteristic remedied in one squadron by lowering the landing gear to slow the aircraft

down. Improved versions of the SB2U-1, of which 54 were ordered, followed this initial delivery. The 58

SB2U-2s differed only in weight, the result of extra equipment, and were delivered beginning in late-1938.With a more powerful engine, increased fuel capacity, and more armor protection, the SB2U-3 arrived on the

scene two years later and served almost exclusively in Marine Corps squadrons. It was with the delivery of

this version that the aircraft was christened with the name Vindicator.

By this time, the SB2U displayed its inherent flaw of being the ultimate development of the trussed fuselageand fabric concept, prompting their replacement by newer designs like the SBD Dauntless, which

incorporated metal stressed skin construction techniques. The Vindicator's sole combat came in June 1942 at

the Battle of Midway, nearly seven years after the aircraft first became operational. Outclassed by the SBDDauntless, which featured dive brakes and was a more rugged design, the SB2U-3s received the uninspiring

moniker "Wind Indicator" from the Marines assigned to fly them. All told, of the 12 Vindicators assigned to

Marine Scout-Bombing Squadron 241 (VMSB-241) during the battle , six were lost, and five severely damaged

8/13/2019 SB2U Vindicator

3/11

by enemy fire or exceeding operational limits of the aircraft. Of the aircraft lost, one was flown by Captain

Richard E. Fleming, who during an attack against the Japanese cruiser Mikuma on 5 June 1942, pressed

home his bombing run despite his aircraft being in flames. Killed in action, he received a posthumous Medalof Honor.

The aircraft also served the naval air forces of France and Great Britain during World War II under the

designation V-156. A number of the former nation's aircraft fell into German hands when France capitulated

in 1940. Called the Chesapeake by the British, the V-156 proved unsuitable for its intended operation aboard

escort carriers, and thus did not see widespread service.

Their time in front-line service passed, most U.S. Vindicators were relegated to training duties, or simplyscrapped. At least three were sent to the Carrier Qualification Training Unit as NAS Glenview, Illinois, for use

in training fledgling carrier pilots, one of these now on display in the museum.

Manufacturer: Vought-Sikorsky Division, United Aircraft CorporationDimensions: Length: 34 ft.; Height: 10 ft., 3 in. ; Wingspan: 42 ft.

Weights: Empty: 4,713 lb.; Gross: 6,379 lb.Power Plant: One 825 HP Pratt & Whitney R-1535-96 engine

Performance: Maximum Speed: 251 M.P.H. 9,500 ft.; Ceiling: 27,500 ft.; Range: 1,002 miles

Armament: One fixed forward-firing .50-in. gun and one flexible-mounted rear .50-in. gun

Crew: Pilot and observer/gunnerMultimedia

http://collections.naval.aviation.museum/emuwebdoncoms/pages/common/imagedisplay.php?irn=26119&reftable=ecatalogue&refirn=16017178http://collections.naval.aviation.museum/emuwebdoncoms/pages/common/imagedisplay.php?irn=26118&reftable=ecatalogue&refirn=16017178http://collections.naval.aviation.museum/emuwebdoncoms/pages/common/imagedisplay.php?irn=26116&reftable=ecatalogue&refirn=16017178http://collections.naval.aviation.museum/emuwebdoncoms/pages/common/imagedisplay.php?irn=26115&reftable=ecatalogue&refirn=16017178http://collections.naval.aviation.museum/emuwebdoncoms/pages/common/imagedisplay.php?irn=26114&reftable=ecatalogue&refirn=16017178http://collections.naval.aviation.museum/emuwebdoncoms/pages/common/imagedisplay.php?irn=26113&reftable=ecatalogue&refirn=16017178http://collections.naval.aviation.museum/emuwebdoncoms/pages/common/imagedisplay.php?irn=26119&reftable=ecatalogue&refirn=16017178http://collections.naval.aviation.museum/emuwebdoncoms/pages/common/imagedisplay.php?irn=26118&reftable=ecatalogue&refirn=16017178http://collections.naval.aviation.museum/emuwebdoncoms/pages/common/imagedisplay.php?irn=26116&reftable=ecatalogue&refirn=16017178http://collections.naval.aviation.museum/emuwebdoncoms/pages/common/imagedisplay.php?irn=26115&reftable=ecatalogue&refirn=16017178http://collections.naval.aviation.museum/emuwebdoncoms/pages/common/imagedisplay.php?irn=26114&reftable=ecatalogue&refirn=16017178http://collections.naval.aviation.museum/emuwebdoncoms/pages/common/imagedisplay.php?irn=26113&reftable=ecatalogue&refirn=16017178http://collections.naval.aviation.museum/emuwebdoncoms/pages/common/imagedisplay.php?irn=26119&reftable=ecatalogue&refirn=16017178http://collections.naval.aviation.museum/emuwebdoncoms/pages/common/imagedisplay.php?irn=26118&reftable=ecatalogue&refirn=16017178http://collections.naval.aviation.museum/emuwebdoncoms/pages/common/imagedisplay.php?irn=26116&reftable=ecatalogue&refirn=16017178http://collections.naval.aviation.museum/emuwebdoncoms/pages/common/imagedisplay.php?irn=26115&reftable=ecatalogue&refirn=16017178http://collections.naval.aviation.museum/emuwebdoncoms/pages/common/imagedisplay.php?irn=26114&reftable=ecatalogue&refirn=16017178http://collections.naval.aviation.museum/emuwebdoncoms/pages/common/imagedisplay.php?irn=26113&reftable=ecatalogue&refirn=16017178http://collections.naval.aviation.museum/emuwebdoncoms/pages/common/imagedisplay.php?irn=26119&reftable=ecatalogue&refirn=16017178http://collections.naval.aviation.museum/emuwebdoncoms/pages/common/imagedisplay.php?irn=26118&reftable=ecatalogue&refirn=16017178http://collections.naval.aviation.museum/emuwebdoncoms/pages/common/imagedisplay.php?irn=26116&reftable=ecatalogue&refirn=16017178http://collections.naval.aviation.museum/emuwebdoncoms/pages/common/imagedisplay.php?irn=26115&reftable=ecatalogue&refirn=16017178http://collections.naval.aviation.museum/emuwebdoncoms/pages/common/imagedisplay.php?irn=26114&reftable=ecatalogue&refirn=16017178http://collections.naval.aviation.museum/emuwebdoncoms/pages/common/imagedisplay.php?irn=26113&reftable=ecatalogue&refirn=16017178http://collections.naval.aviation.museum/emuwebdoncoms/pages/common/imagedisplay.php?irn=26119&reftable=ecatalogue&refirn=16017178http://collections.naval.aviation.museum/emuwebdoncoms/pages/common/imagedisplay.php?irn=26118&reftable=ecatalogue&refirn=16017178http://collections.naval.aviation.museum/emuwebdoncoms/pages/common/imagedisplay.php?irn=26116&reftable=ecatalogue&refirn=16017178http://collections.naval.aviation.museum/emuwebdoncoms/pages/common/imagedisplay.php?irn=26115&reftable=ecatalogue&refirn=16017178http://collections.naval.aviation.museum/emuwebdoncoms/pages/common/imagedisplay.php?irn=26114&reftable=ecatalogue&refirn=16017178http://collections.naval.aviation.museum/emuwebdoncoms/pages/common/imagedisplay.php?irn=26113&reftable=ecatalogue&refirn=16017178http://collections.naval.aviation.museum/emuwebdoncoms/pages/common/imagedisplay.php?irn=26119&reftable=ecatalogue&refirn=16017178http://collections.naval.aviation.museum/emuwebdoncoms/pages/common/imagedisplay.php?irn=26118&reftable=ecatalogue&refirn=16017178http://collections.naval.aviation.museum/emuwebdoncoms/pages/common/imagedisplay.php?irn=26116&reftable=ecatalogue&refirn=16017178http://collections.naval.aviation.museum/emuwebdoncoms/pages/common/imagedisplay.php?irn=26115&reftable=ecatalogue&refirn=16017178http://collections.naval.aviation.museum/emuwebdoncoms/pages/common/imagedisplay.php?irn=26114&reftable=ecatalogue&refirn=16017178http://collections.naval.aviation.museum/emuwebdoncoms/pages/common/imagedisplay.php?irn=26113&reftable=ecatalogue&refirn=16017178

8/13/2019 SB2U Vindicator

4/11

http://collections.naval.aviation.museum/emuwebdoncoms/objects/common/webmedia.php?irn=42206

8/13/2019 SB2U Vindicator

5/11

Title: 1990.536.001

Format: jpeg

Date: 21/07/2010

Description: Right Side View

[Image Only]

Title: Close-Up View of SB2U-2 Side Panel

http://collections.naval.aviation.museum/emuwebdoncoms/objects/common/webmedia.php?irn=26119http://collections.naval.aviation.museum/emuwebdoncoms/objects/common/webmedia.php?irn=26119http://collections.naval.aviation.museum/emuwebdoncoms/objects/common/webmedia.php?irn=26119http://collections.naval.aviation.museum/emuwebdoncoms/objects/common/webmedia.php?irn=26119http://collections.naval.aviation.museum/emuwebdoncoms/objects/common/webmedia.php?irn=26119

8/13/2019 SB2U Vindicator

6/11

Format: jpeg

Date: 2007

Description: View of side panel on starboard side of SB2U-2 Vindicator.

[Image Only]

Title: Close-Up of SB2U-2 Cockpit Panel

Format: jpeg

Date: 2007

http://collections.naval.aviation.museum/emuwebdoncoms/objects/common/webmedia.php?irn=26118http://collections.naval.aviation.museum/emuwebdoncoms/objects/common/webmedia.php?irn=26118http://collections.naval.aviation.museum/emuwebdoncoms/objects/common/webmedia.php?irn=26118http://collections.naval.aviation.museum/emuwebdoncoms/objects/common/webmedia.php?irn=26118http://collections.naval.aviation.museum/emuwebdoncoms/objects/common/webmedia.php?irn=26118

8/13/2019 SB2U Vindicator

7/11

Description: Close-up view of open side panel leading to the cockpit of the SB2U-2 Vindicator.

[Image Only]

Title: Restored SB2U-2 Gunner's Cockpit

Format: jpeg

Date: 1999Description: View of restored gunner's cockpit in SB2U Vindicator.

http://collections.naval.aviation.museum/emuwebdoncoms/objects/common/webmedia.php?irn=26116http://collections.naval.aviation.museum/emuwebdoncoms/objects/common/webmedia.php?irn=26116http://collections.naval.aviation.museum/emuwebdoncoms/objects/common/webmedia.php?irn=26116http://collections.naval.aviation.museum/emuwebdoncoms/objects/common/webmedia.php?irn=26116http://collections.naval.aviation.museum/emuwebdoncoms/objects/common/webmedia.php?irn=26116

8/13/2019 SB2U Vindicator

8/11

[Image Only]

Title: Restored Cockpit of SB2U-2

Format: jpeg

Date: 1999

Description: View of restored cockpit of the SB2U-2 Vindicator.

http://collections.naval.aviation.museum/emuwebdoncoms/objects/common/webmedia.php?irn=26115http://collections.naval.aviation.museum/emuwebdoncoms/objects/common/webmedia.php?irn=26115http://collections.naval.aviation.museum/emuwebdoncoms/objects/common/webmedia.php?irn=26115http://collections.naval.aviation.museum/emuwebdoncoms/objects/common/webmedia.php?irn=26115http://collections.naval.aviation.museum/emuwebdoncoms/objects/common/webmedia.php?irn=26115http://collections.naval.aviation.museum/emuwebdoncoms/objects/common/webmedia.php?irn=26115

8/13/2019 SB2U Vindicator

9/11

[Image Only]

Title: SB2U-2 Following Restoration

Format: jpeg

Date: 1999

Description: View of SB2U-2 shortly after the completion of its eight-year restoration.

http://collections.naval.aviation.museum/emuwebdoncoms/objects/common/webmedia.php?irn=26114http://collections.naval.aviation.museum/emuwebdoncoms/objects/common/webmedia.php?irn=26114http://collections.naval.aviation.museum/emuwebdoncoms/objects/common/webmedia.php?irn=26114http://collections.naval.aviation.museum/emuwebdoncoms/objects/common/webmedia.php?irn=26114http://collections.naval.aviation.museum/emuwebdoncoms/objects/common/webmedia.php?irn=26114http://collections.naval.aviation.museum/emuwebdoncoms/objects/common/webmedia.php?irn=26114

8/13/2019 SB2U Vindicator

10/11

http://collections.naval.aviation.museum/emuwebdoncoms/objects/common/webmedia.php?irn=26113http://collections.naval.aviation.museum/emuwebdoncoms/objects/common/webmedia.php?irn=26113

8/13/2019 SB2U Vindicator

11/11

[Image Only]

Title: Overhead of SB2U-2 On Display

Format: jpeg

Date: 2004

Description: Overhead of SB2U-2 on Display

http://collections.naval.aviation.museum/emuwebdoncoms/objects/common/webmedia.php?irn=26113http://collections.naval.aviation.museum/emuwebdoncoms/objects/common/webmedia.php?irn=26113http://collections.naval.aviation.museum/emuwebdoncoms/objects/common/webmedia.php?irn=26113http://collections.naval.aviation.museum/emuwebdoncoms/objects/common/webmedia.php?irn=26113