The SB2U-1 was the first Vought operational monoplane design and it became the first low-wing monoplane used by the Navy to replace the conventional biplane designs used for carrier operations.  With the exception of the wing leading edges and the engine cowl, which were metal covered, the SB2U-1 was of a fabric covered truss design.  The SB2U-1’s were used primarily for neutrality patrols prior to World War II and for Atlantic submarine and surveillance patrols early in the war.  Most of the SB2U-1’s were phased out of service by mid 1941.  A few were used for stateside training until 1943.

The first deliveries to the fleet took place on December 13, 1937, when Bombing Squadron Three (VB-3) aboard the carrier USS Saratoga received their first SB2U-1 (BuNo 0727).  The production SB2U-1 differed from the prototype.  The aircraft had the 700-hp Pratt & Whitney engine replaced by a 825-hp Pratt & Whitney R-1535-96 radial and the cowling was changed to have a combined oil cooler/carburetor air intake installed high on the starboard side of the cowling.  The exhaust was relocated from the underside of the cowling to a location somewhat higher and to the rear.  The radio mast was repositioned from the fuselage spine between the cockpits to a position on the port side of the nose in front of the pilot’s cockpit.

The SB2U-1 was armed with a forward-firing Browning .30-caliber machine gun mounted in the starboard wing outside the propeller arc and a second Browning .30-caliber machine gun in the rear cockpit on a flexible ring mount.  The offensive bomb load consisted of a single 1,000-pound bomb carried on a fuselage centerline rack or two 500-pound bombs which were carried on racks mounted on the wing center section outboard of the landing gear.  The centerline bomb could be replaced with a 50-gallon auxiliary fuel tank to extend the aircraft’s range for the scouting role.

With the exception of some test and training aircraft, the production run of SB2U-1’s was delivered to two squadrons, VB-3 and VB-2.  A total of eighteen SB2U-1’s were delivered to VB-3 aboard the USS Saratoga between December 13, 1937 and March 1, 1938.  The squadron became the first Navy monoplane bomber squadron to operate on a carrier, and the second navy squadron to be equipped with a monoplane (the TBD-1 was the first monoplane to enter Navy service).

The SB2U-1 made its initial appearance aboard USS Lexington on March 2, 1938 when VB-2 received its first aircraft.  By April 26, 1938, VB-2 had its full complement of 21 aircraft.  The following month, Lexington’s Air Group Commander took delivery of a specially painted SB2U-1 (BuNo 0774) to complete the carrier’s complement of dive bombers.

SB2U:

Atlantic Operations
Combat at Midway
Phase Out