Special Hobby 1/72 SB2U-Vindicator "Marines Go To War" | SH72264

In the 1930s it became obvious for the US. Navy that the biplane era was over. Cantilever low-wing monoplane with retractable undercarriages, phenomenon of the time, offered much better performance in comparison with the classical biplanes. This fact convinced the decision-makers to call for a competition for a new SB category machine (SB for Scout-Bomber) and dive bombing abilities were required. XSB2U prototype, named Vindicator and made by Vought factory was the winner and was accepted into production for the US Navy and Marines, and manufactured in SB2U-1, -2 and -3 variants. Longer range than the earlier models had was required by the Navy and Marines and so the -3 version got enlarged fuel tanks. In order to maintain the center of gravity, larger tailplanes were used and also the outer foldable wing sections had more dihedral. The US Navy Vindicators were never put into real fighting unlike the Marine Corps machines. Marines unit VMSB-231, in March 1942 redesigned to VMSB-241 and