Product Information

Chance-Vought SB2U-3 Vindicator dive bomber of Marine Scouting Bombing Squadron One (VMS-1) based at the Marine Corps Air Station, Quantico. The SB2U-3 version of the Vindicator was designed specifically for the Marine Corps, with a larger fuel capacity from unprotected, non-self sealing wing tanks and a larger fuselage tank.

VMS-1 took delivery of 27 SB2U-3 Vindicators between May and July 1941. Redesignated VMSB-131 in July 1941, the squadron deployed to Pearl Harbor on September 27, 1942 and slowly converted to Grumman TBF Avengers, becoming the first Marine torpedo bomber squadron.  They fought in combat around Guadalcanal from November 12, 1942, by which time all the Vindicators were replaced with Avengers.