Warbird Information Exchange

"The Curtiss SBC series was conceived as a parasol monoplane, but re-configured as a biplane before getting a production contract. They were the last biplanes bought by the Navy for first-line use, with the SBC-3 going into service in the summer of 1937. To boost performance and bomb-load, Curtiss swapped in a Wright Cyclone for the original twin-row Pratt & Whitney Wasp. The Navy approved the modification as the SBC-4, which began to appear in service early in 1939, some replacing earlier biplanes on carriers, others going direct to Naval Reserve squadrons. As all discarded Navy air equipment seems to do, the SBC-4 fetched up with the Marines, with VMO-1 being equipped with the SBC-4 in the summer of 1941. The unit was re-designated VMO-151, and was still equipped with the type when it was shipped to American Samoa in May, 1942. Conditions were extremely primitive for aerial operations. VMO-151 flew its SBC-4s on picket patrols well into 1943, when thee were finally replaced by Dauntless monoplane dive-bombers."

Below: Three VMO-151 Curtiss SBC-4 Biplanes, American Samoa, 2-17-1943



Marine Observation Squadron 1 (VMO-1) was commissioned in 1941 at MCAS Quantico. The unit was redesignated Marine Observation Squadron 151 (VMO-151) on July 1, 1941. The squadron left for San Diego, CA in December 1941 with the rest of the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, but returned to MCB Quantico in January 1942. From January to April, they trained at NS Norfolk until departing for Samoa on April 9, 1942. They arrived a month later and remained for the next 13 months. On September 15, 1942, the squadron was re-designated again, this time as Marine Scout Bombing Squadron 151 (VMSB-151).

On June 10, 1943, the squadron moved to Uvea Island in the Wallis Group. The squadron remained there until February 29, 1944 when they arrived at Engebi. From March 9 - 12, the squadron covered Marine landings on Wotho Atoll, Ujae Atoll and Lae Atoll. During this time, they also made bombing runs against by-passed Japanese bases in the Marshall Islands until May 31, 1945. On June 9, 1945, the squadron boarded the USS Silverpeck for return to the United States.

Upon return to MCAS Mojave, they were assigned to Marine Air Support Group 51 and were redesignated Marine Torpedo Bombing Squadron 151 (VMTB-151) on June 30, 1945. The squadron was deactivated at MCAS Santa Barbara,CA on March 20, 1946.

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