Vindicator service during World War 2 did not end with the Americans for the type was also taken on by the navies of France and Britain (with applicable equipment installed to suit local requirements). French mounts were operated as trainers from the carrier Bearn but were not used in the ultimate defense of France due to the carrier's age. French Vindicators were, instead, operated from land bases during the German invasion and many lost in action.
The British Royal Navy took on stocks of Vindicators that were initially intended for France until their Channel neighbors were overrun by Germany. Desperate for any and all war-making material, the British utilized the Vindicator under the name of "Chesapeake" and installed British-centric equipment for better standardization including additional machine guns (4 x 0.30 caliber replacing the single 8mm French Darne type) and better armor protection. British Vindicators operated during 1941 but were quickly seen for their performance limitations resulting in a rather short service life. Again, the type became a trainer until finally withdrawn from service.
There proved several major marks of the Vindicator line beginning with the XSB2U-1 prototype and its R-1535-78 series engine of 750 horsepower. Only a single prototype was completed before the SB2U-1 production model arrived, this powered by the R-1535-86 engine of 825 horsepower. Fifty-four of the type were produced. Then came the SB2U-2 which was more or less a slightly revised form (primarily in equipment) of the SB2U-1 and 58 were added. These were powered by the R-1535-96 "Twin Wasp Junior" radial piston engine of 825 horsepower and reached speeds of 250 miles per hour with a range out to 630 miles.
XSB2U-3 was a "one-off" prototype based on the SB2U-1 with floats added. The SB2U-3 followed the SB2U-2 but installed the R-1535-102 series engine, additional armor protection and 2 x 0.50 caliber heavy machine guns (again in the right wing and on the flexible mount at rear). Some 57 of this mark were produced in all. The French Navy export model - which numbered 40 - was designated as V-156F-3. The British SB2U-3 export designation became V-156B-1 (Chesapeake Mk.I). These fitted the R-1535-SB4-G engine of 750 horsepower and 50 of the type were produced.
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