Built in 1939, this was the last SB2U-2 to be constructed and is now also the only surviving example of the Vindicator carrier dive-bomber. The type remained in service at the time of the Battle of Midway, but by 1943 all had been withdrawn to training units. While assigned to USS Wolverine, in June 1943 it crashed into Lake Michigan after a landing accident, the pilot being rescued after the aircraft slid off the carrier's deck. It was recovered in 1990 and after restoration was marked as an aircraft of USS Essex

'In McClelland Barclay experimental camouflage design No 5.' Artist McClelland Barclay joined the Naval Reserve in 1938 and designed several 'dazzle' camouflage schemes. They were found to be ineffective. The source is sure that this is BuNo 1352 of squadron VB-2. In the background is SB2U-2 BuNo 0748 of the same unit. Photo from: Naval History and Heritage Command

The SB2U was outdated by the time the US entered World War II in December 1941. Photo by: Rudy Arnold / Smithsonian Institution

1939-built Vought Vindicator dive bomber - the last survivor of the type. Ditched in Lake Michigan on 21 June 1943 during a training flight and recovered postwar. Restored in the early WW2 markings of VB-2 Squadron USN.

This is the only SB2U extant and was delivered in July 1939, serving in patrol roles until it was transferred to Carrier Qualification Training Unit, Glenview NAS, IL. and assigned to the USS Wolverine (IX-64). It crashed a month later and sunk to the bottom of Lake Michigan, where it stayed until recovery in 1990. After restoration it is now on display at the National Naval Aviation Museum.