The SB2U-2 was a single engine, two-seat, low-wing airplane with retractable landing gear.  It had fabric-covered folding wings and fuselage except for the wing leading edges and engine cowl.  The Pratt & Whitney engine drove a two-blade Hamilton Standard constant-speed propeller.  The SB2U-2 was identical to the SB2U-1 except for some changes in internal equipment.

On January 27, 1938, the Navy placed a follow-on contract with Vought for 58 SB2U aircraft.  The contract specified some changes in the aircraft’s internal equipment resulting in a change in designation from SB2U-1 to SB2U-2.  Externally, however, the SB2U-2 was identical to the SB2U-1.  The first production SB2U-2 was delivered to NAS Anacostia on August 29, 1938.

Bombing Squadron Four (VB-4), the Black Panthers, became the third SB2U squadron when they received their first SB2U-2 during December of 1938.  While the SB2U-2 differed little from the SB2U-1, it was a completely new and different experience for the Panthers.  The squadron had been assigned to the USS Ranger (CV-4) flying the Great Lakes BG-1 biplane and the transition to the SB2U-2 finally brought the Panthers into the “modern” era.

Although there were no external changes specified for the SB2U-2, squadron personnel soon found that outboard wing panels of the SB2U-2 and SB2U-1 were not interchangeable (although they should have been).  Examination revealed that the lower wingfold hinge assembly on the SB2U-1 would not mate with the SB2U-2 wing due to the “minor” equipment changes

SB2U:

Atlantic Operations
Combat at Midway
Phase Out