Description: The Vought Vindicator was a carrier-based dive bomber developed for the United States Navy in the 1930s, the first monoplane in this role. Obsolescent at the outbreak of World War II.
Based on the SB2U-2, the V-156-F incorporated specific French equipment. Briefly after the deliveries started in July 1939, V-156-F crews were trained for carrier operations aboard Béarn, but when the war broke out the old carrier was declared too slow for operational service. As a result V-156-F-equipped units, escadrilles AB 1 and AB 3, were based ashore when the Battle of France started. AB 1 sustained heavy losses while attacking bridges and German ground targets in Northern France, while AB 3’s V-156-Fs were briefly engaged against the Italians. By the time of the Armistice, there were only a handful of remaining Voughts in French hands, and the type was phased out of service.
Description: The Arsenal VG 36 was a fast, modern fighter which arrived too late to see much service in the Armeé de l’Air during the Battle of France. While somewhat underarmed compared to the Messerschmitt Bf 109, the VG-36 matched it in speed and maneuverability and was somewhat faster than the Dewoitine D.520. The VG36 was an intermediate version of this French fighter.
Description: The Latécoère 298 (sometimes abridged to Laté 298) was a French seaplane that served during World War II. It was designed primarily as a torpedo bomber, but served also as a dive bomber against land and naval targets, and as a maritime reconnaissance aircraft. Of a sturdy and reliable construction and possessing good manoeuvrability, it was France’s most successful military seaplane, and served throughout the war in various guises.
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