Vought XSB3U - Operational History

Operational History

The XSB3U-1 was delivered to Naval Air Station Anacostia for evaluation by the U.S. Navy in April 1936;, at the same time as its primary competition, the XSB2U-1. Comparative testing of the two aircraft during 1936 proved the complete superiority of the monoplane configuration; on the same power, the SB2U-1 was 15 miles per hour (24 km/h) faster despite being larger and heavier than the biplane. However, the Navy was impressed by the XSB3U's method of landing gear retraction, which provided a more streamlined surface after retraction than most other methods used at the time.

Following the end of the evaluation, the XSB3U was retained by the Navy, and utilised for experimental and liaison purposes by the Navy, also being utilised by NACA at Langley Field for testing of tail loads starting in August 1938, continuing through January 1939 when the aircraft was returned to the Navy, being retired shortly thereafter.