SB2-C4 Helldiver - Otay Reservoir. Clean down and questions,

[shepsair]

Hi all

Been sent some photos by John Kerr at Pensacola following the first wash down of the fuselage etc.

Some interesting items have been discovered.

On the fin, over painted in grey! is another BuNo- 19791 - bit rougher and no indication of NAVY above it. Possibility it was the rough BuNo whilst at the Curtiss Factory before it was completed? 19791 was the 80th Dash 4 airframe - were they still going through teething problems that meant the production line was broken and 19791 was completed as 19866? Thoughts appreciated.

Need to check other panels - 19791 or 19866?

Also three painted ID's, some of which could also be seen at the recovery.

I will split this into two areas. - Fin and forward of the cockpit.

Fin
Only a '10' is visible though no evidence of it being over painted. '10' does not seem to tie in with any of the numbers on the fuselage. Makes you wonder if the fin was replaced at Brown Field or Ream Field - perhaps 19791 card needs looking at?

Fuselage
First on seems to be '110'. Assume to belong to VB-84. Could be '10' but seems to be '110'.
Next is 'HI'. Any idea of the field or Naval unit carrying these codes? Was only ever in San Diego/Ream Field/Brown Field.
Last is '19'. Thought to be VB-14. Interesting the air to air photo provided by the pilot seems to be '19' as well.

Thoughts on the above would be interesting to hear.

regards

Mark