Vought SB2U Vindicator - America's First Monoplane Dive Bomber [Aircraft Overview #10]

The SB2U Vindicator arrived at a time of evolving technology and tactics for US Naval aircraft. Torpedoes were still considered a highly lethal weapon against large ships, but the concept of dive bombing was readily being explored, and indeed was deemed to be more effective than torpedo bombing in many situations.

The Vindicator was the first monoplane dive bomber put in service by the US Navy. It entered service in the mid-1930s but would not see action until the battle of Midway in 1942, by then it was hopelessly outclassed by more modern US dive bombers like the TBD and SBD. This was due to the 'old school' method of its construction, a blend of fabric covered trusses and aluminium sheeting. However, the Vindicator filled a vital gap in the US Navy's inventory whilst more advanced designs were worked on.

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