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| USN Carrier Qualification Training Unit Former Assignments USS Lexington (CV-2) VB-2 USMC VMSB-241 |
Aircraft History Built by Douglas Aircraft Company in El Segundo during December 1940. Constructors Number 632. On December 31, 1940 delivered to the U.S. Navy (USN) as SBD-2 Dauntless bureau number 2106. The same day, assigned to Bombing Squadron 2 (VB-2) at Naval Air Station San Diego (NAS San Diego) and was embarked aboard USS Lexington (CV-2). During 1941 participated in the "Louisiana Maneuvers" which caused substantial engine wear and afterwards received a replacement engine. In early December 1941, loaded onto USS Lexington (CV-2) for delivery to Midway Airfield and was to be assigned to a U.S. Marine Corps squadron but instead was unloaded at Pearl Harbor to make room for other planes. Wartime History On December 7, 1941 parked at Luke Field on Ford Island at Pearl Harbor and survived the Japanese attacks without damage. Afterwards, assigned to the USS Lexington (CV-2) to Bombing Squadron 2 (VB-2). On March 10, 1942 participated in the dive bombing mission against Japanese ships off Lae. During May 1942 transferred to the U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) to Marine Scout Bomber Squadron 241 (VMSB-241) at Midway Airfield. On June 4, 1942 during the Battle of Midway piloted by Lt Iverson as one of sixteen SBD Dauntless dive bombers led by Major Lofton R. Henderson on a strike by VMSB-241 against the Japanese fleet. Despite attacks by A6M2 Zeros and anti-aircraft fire, this SBD bombed Hiryū and landed with over 200 holes with only one operable landing gear leg and the rear gunner wounded. Afterwards, repaired and returned to the USN and assigned to a Carrier Qualification Training Unit to train new pilots. Mission History On June 11, 1943 took off on a training mission and ditched into Lake Michigan. Wreckage This aircraft remained in situ in Lake Michigan. In 1994, raised to the surface and salvage. Restoration This aircraft was transported to the National Museum of Naval Aviation (NMNA). Restored over 70,000 hours by over a hundred staff and volunteers it to static display. Over 90% of the aircraft is original period parts from other aircraft. References Navy Serial Number Search Results - SBD-2 Dauntless 2106 "2106 survived Pearl Harbor. Sank a Japanese warship Mar 10, 1942. Participated in Battle of Midway. Transferred to training duties at NAS Glenview, IL. Crashed into Lake Michigan Jun 11, 1943 while attempting to land aboard USS Sable. Raised Jan 12, 1994 and is now on display at National Museum of Naval Aviation, Pensacola, FL." History of Marine Corps in World War II (1952) pages 48 (photo 35), 58-62 (June 4-5, 1942 map), 465 (VMSB-241 squadron summary) Air & Space Magazine "Undaunted" 1998 Naval History and Heritage Command (NHHC) - H-006-6: SBD-2 Dauntless, BuNo 2106, Battle of Midway Veteran by Hill Goodspeed, May 2017 Naval History and Heritage Command (NHHC) - SBD Dauntless BuNo 2106 (photo) National Museum of Naval Aviation (NMNA) - SBD Dauntless BuNo 2106 (cockpit panorama) Contribute
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