United States' Brewster SB2A Buccaneer reconnaissance bomber¹

Brewster SB2A Bermuda Mk I:

Design

Prototype

The prototype was the Brewster Model 340 which was developed from the XSBA-1 prototype.¹ The XSB2A-1 prototype was ordered in April 1939.¹ On June 17, 1941 the XSB2A-1 flew for the first time.¹

Production

SB2As were shown to be lacking in capability but was still ordered into production.¹

• XSB2A-1: 1¹
• SB2A-1 Bermuda: 468¹
• SB2A-2: 80¹
• SB2A-3: 60¹
• SB2A-4: 162¹ Originally ordered buy the Netherlands but used by the US Navy.¹
• Total: 771¹

Variants

• XSB2A-1: Had a prototype dorsal turret.¹
• SB2A-1:
• SB2A-2:
• SB2A-3: Had folding wings and arrestor hooks.¹
• SB2A-4: Had eight 0.3" MGs.¹

Usage

There is no record of the Buccaneer ever seeing combat.¹

United Kingdom

The United Kingdom ordered 750 SB2A-1s, which were known as the Bermuda.¹ Deliveries started in 1942.¹ 468 of the order were delivered under Lend Lease.¹ The Bermudas were only used as trainers and target toweres.¹

Netherlands

162 SB2As were ordered by Netherlands.¹ These were supposed to be delivered to the Dutch East Indies but were repossessed by the US Navy and named the SB2A-4.¹

United States Navy

The United States Navy ordered 140 SB2As.¹ 80 SB2A-2s were delivered in 1943 and 60 SB2A-3s were delivered in 1944.¹

All were used as trainers in the US Navy and US Marine Corps.¹

Sources:

1. Aircraft of WWII, Stewart Wilson, 1998