Photos

Plane's pilot and gunner, dressed in flight gear, pose as they prepare to go aloft, circa 1944-45.

Parked on an airfield, probably at N.A.S. Ford Island, Pearl Harbor, circa 1944-45.

Parked, probably at N.A.S. Ford Island, Pearl Harbor, circa 1944-45. Note damaged prop of plane at right, and different spinner colors

Fly near a convoy, in the Hampton Roads-Chesapeake Bay area, December 1943. Planes are from Naval Air Station Norfolk, Virginia. Photographed by Lieutenant Horace Bristol, USNR.

Fly in formation over the southeastern Virginia coast, December 1943. Planes are from Naval Air Station Norfolk. The North Carolina border is in the distance, and False Cape, Virginia, is at left. Photographed by Lieutenant Horace Bristol, USNR.

Flying in formation over the southeastern Virginia coast, December 1943. Planes are from Naval Air Station Norfolk. Photographed by Lieutenant Horace Bristol, USNR.

CURTISS SB2C-3 Bombers of VB-18 on patrol over the Philippine Sea, 15 November 1944. They are from USS INTREPID (CV-11). Note crudely repainted markings on tails.

hoto #: 80-G-348290 Curtiss SB2C-5 Helldiver scout-bomber, of Bombing Squadron Ten (VB-10), USS Intrepid (CV-11) Flies over Tientsin, China, as the city is reoccupied by the Allies, 5 September 1945. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.

Warms up its engine at a Pacific Base, circa 1944-45. Note beaching gear and ladder, the former bearing markings of VCS-10 and SOSU-17 plane wears the insignia of unit SOSU -1, a bird flying with a mechanic ' tool box gripped in its feet. SOSU means Scout-Obse

Formation of Sc-1's over what appears to be a convoy forming up below. Planes are in the 3-tone non-specular scheme; numbers on cowling are unusual, being in roman numeral style.

Spotting plane, taxiing up to a sea-sled towed by USS IOWA (BB-61), off San Francisco, July 1947.

Spotting plane being hoisted aboard USS IOWA (BB-61), off San Francisco, July 1947. A second SC-1 is on the catapult at right.

Spotting plane, catapulted from USS IOWA (BB-61), off San Francisco, July 1947.

Pilot gives "thumbs-up" signal to beaching crew who are preparing to launch the plane into the water at a Pacific base, circa 1944-45. Note APS-4 radar pod under the wing and insignia of Scout-Observation Service Unit One (SOSU-1) on the nose. Beaching gear is

In flight, circa 1944, fitted for land ops. Clear, unframed section of canopy, longer engine cowling, and cabin accommodation behind pilot (note fuselage window) distinguished the SC-2 from the earlier SC-1. Note radome beneath STBD. Wing.

At Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland, 23 September 1947.