SB2U-1 VB-3 Inflight Images

80CF-5457-1-SB2U-1-0739-VB-3-3-B-13-Over-Sierra-Nevada-Mountains-19380628

In June 1938 the US Navy had a sequence of inflight images taken of VB-3s SB2U-1 Vindiators near Los Angeles, CA. I came across prints of these photos, some well known, others that have not been published as extensively, during a trip to the National Archives College Park, MD. These particular prints were part of the USN's 80-CF image collection.

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These images were made when the squadron was about one year since being redesignated VB-3.

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The VB-3 aircraft featured in the images are:

BuNo 0739  3-B-13

BuNo 0740  3-B-14

BuNo 0741  3-B-15

80CF-5457-10-SB2U-1-0739-VB-3-3-B-13-Near-Los-Angeles-CA-19380628

VB-3 is in the lineage for the current VFA-14 Tophatters. The Wiki on VFA-14 is here.

80CF-5457-12-SB2U-1-0739-VB-3-3-B-13-Near-Los-Angeles-CA-19380628

XF4U-1 Inflight Photos

A few shots from a series of USN 80-G Series images of XF4U-1 1443 inflight on May 8, 1941.

77 years ago the Corsair was just earning it's wings on it's way to a long career with the US and French Navies. 

80-G-2857

80-G-2865

80-G-2856

80-G-2855

80-G-2880

Vought - Sikorsky VS-44A

VS 4432 Excalibur NX41880 Right Side Inflight 19420118

One of the aircraft on my "must see" list is at the New England Air Museum where the VS-44A Excambian lives!

VS 4430 Excalibur NX41880 Left Side On Water 19420118

The VS-44A/PBS-1 design has always interested me. A graceful looking four engined flying boat of which only a handful were built (1 XPBS-1 and 3 VS-44A). The XPBS-1 and the first VS-44A Excaliber, illustrated in this post, were both lost during 1942. 

VS 4429 Excalibur NX41880 Left Front On Water 19420118

Of the four aircraft built, Excambian has survived, been restored and is on display. 

VS 4433 Excalibur NX41880 Right Side Inflight 19420118

The photos in this post come from NARA II Record Group 80-CF and are of NX41880 Excaliber.