Academy #12330 1/48 V-156-B1 "Chesapeake"

Academy #12330 1/48 V-156-B1 "Chesapeake"

On March 28, 1940, the French government signed a contract for a further 50 V-156Fs, for delivery by January 1941.  Because Vought-Sikorsky had now received orders from the U.S. for the SB2U-3, it became necessary to subcontract the production of these modified SB2U-2s - the outer wings were built by the Briggs manufacturing Company, while the ailerons, flaps and tail surfaces were built by Fleetwings. 

          In October, 1940, following the collapse of France, the order was amended to transfer these aircraft to Britain as the V-156F-B1.  Named “Chesapeake,” a number of engineering changes were specified, including the installation of a 125-gallon wing center section tank like that used on the SB2U-3, along with armor for both pilot and gunner, and an increased armament to four .30caliber machine guns in the wings. The pilot was provided a reflector gunsight, and better radios were installed.  Like the SB2U-2, no dive brakes were fitted.

      All of these changes increased the aircraft’s weight to 9,763 lbs in maximum loaded condition, with no increase in engine power.  Performance and handling characteristics suffered as a result, with an initial climb of 600 fpm taking 41 minutes to labor to where a top speed of only 215 mph was possible at the critical altitude of 15,000 ft.

      The first V-156F-B1 was accepted by the British Purchasing Commission on March 26, 1941, with the 50th and last being delivered July 24, 1941.b The Chesapeakes were delivered from Liverpool to Burtonwood Aircraft Repair Depot and assembled throughout the summer of 1941.

 Some consideration was given to using the Chesapeake in a defensive role from Royal Navy escort carriers, but a take-off run of 1,770 feet precluded any thought of carrier operation.  Several were delivered to 778 and 786 Squadrons, which were advanced operational training squadrons, while 14 were sent to 811 Squadron at Lee-on-Solent in late July 1941, where they saw their only operational use, being operated on coastal anti-submarine patrols until late September, when they were replaced by Swordfish.

      The performance of the Chesapeake was not even equal to that of the Blackburn Skua, which had already been taken off operations by the time the Chesapeakes arrived.  They were assigned in ones and twos to other advanced training squadrons, where they were operated as hacks and target tugs.  The last one was taken out of service as a target tug in May 1944.