NZDF-SERIALS
Australian & New Zealand Military Aircraft Serials & History

RNZAF Douglas SBD-3,-4,-5 DauntlessAircaft type
NZ205 to NZ222 and NZ5001 to NZ50
68 & Bu28452

     
 

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Serial A/C.Type c/n Aircraft history
NZ205 SBD-3 1466 Bu06651. Loaned to New Zealand from Marine Air Group 14 and initially operated in US markings with temporary RNZAF serial.
Transferred to New Zealand ownership in late 1943 and renumbered NZ5001.
NZ206 SBD-3 1467 Bu06652. Loaned to New Zealand from Marine Air Group 14 and initially operated in US markings with temporary RNZAF serial.
Transferred to New Zealand ownership in late 1943 and renumbered NZ5002.
NZ207 SBD-3 983 Bu4672. Loaned to New Zealand from Marine Air Group 14 and initially operated in US markings with temporary RNZAF serial.
Transferred to New Zealand ownership in late 1943 and renumbered NZ5003.
NZ208 SBD-3 782 Bu4549. Loaned to New Zealand from Marine Air Group 14 and initially operated in US markings with temporary RNZAF serial.
Transferred to New Zealand ownership in late 1943 and renumbered NZ5004.
NZ209 SBD-3 835 Bu4585. Loaned to New Zealand from Marine Air Group 14 and initially operated in US markings with temporary RNZAF serial.
Transferred to New Zealand ownership in late 1943 and renumbered NZ5005.
NZ210 SBD-3 1193 Bu03371. Loaned to New Zealand from Marine Air Group 14 and initially operated in US markings with temporary RNZAF serial.
Transferred to New Zealand ownership in late 1943 and renumbered NZ5006.
NZ211 SBD-3 1041 Bu03219. Loaned to New Zealand from Marine Air Group 14 and initially operated in US markings with temporary RNZAF serial.
Transferred to New Zealand ownership in late 1943 and allocated NZ5007 in 1943 but never wore this serial number.
To No.25 Squadron, Seagrove.
Crashed near Waiuku at 1145 hours on 13 September 1943.
The aircraft stalled during gunnery practice, dived into the ground and burst into flames.
Pilot Officer William McJannet and Sergeant Douglas Cairns killed.
NZ212 SBD-3 986 Bu4675. Loaned to New Zealand from Marine Air Group 14 and initially operated in US markings with temporary RNZAF serial.
Transferred to New Zealand ownership in late 1943 and renumbered NZ5008.
NZ213 SBD-3 963 Bu4652. Loaned to New Zealand from Marine Air Group 14 and initially operated in US markings with temporary RNZAF serial.
Transferred to New Zealand ownership in late 1943 and renumbered NZ5009.
NZ214 SBD-3 1473 Bu06658. Loaned to New Zealand from Marine Air Group 14 and initially operated in US markings with temporary RNZAF serial.
Transferred to New Zealand ownership in late 1943 and renumbered NZ5010.
NZ215 SBD-3 1024 Bu03202. Loaned to New Zealand from Marine Air Group 14 and initially operated in US markings with temporary RNZAF serial.
Transferred to New Zealand ownership in late 1943 and renumbered NZ5011.
NZ216 SBD-3 955 Bu4645. Loaned to New Zealand from Marine Air Group 14 and initially operated in US markings with temporary RNZAF serial.
Transferred to New Zealand ownership in late 1943 and renumbered NZ5012.
NZ217 SBD-3 776 Bu4543. Loaned to New Zealand from Marine Air Group 14 and initially operated in US markings with temporary RNZAF serial.
Transferred to New Zealand ownership in late 1943 and renumbered NZ5013.
NZ218 SBD-3 1186 Bu03364. Loaned to New Zealand from Marine Air Group 14 and initially operated in US markings with temporary RNZAF serial.
Transferred to New Zealand ownership in late 1943 and renumbered NZ5014.
NZ219 SBD-3 1464 Bu06649. Loaned to New Zealand from Marine Air Group 14 and initially operated in US markings with temporary RNZAF serial.
Transferred to New Zealand ownership in late 1943 and renumbered NZ5015.
NZ220 SBD-3 1282 Bu06545. Loaned to New Zealand from Marine Air Group 14 and initially operated in US markings with temporary RNZAF serial.
Transferred to New Zealand ownership in late 1943 and renumbered NZ5016.
NZ221 SBD-3 1191 Bu03369. Loaned to New Zealand from Marine Air Group 14 and initially operated in US markings with temporary RNZAF serial.
Transferred to New Zealand ownership in late 1943 and renumbered NZ5017.
NZ222 SBD-3 1434 Bu06619. Loaned to New Zealand from Marine Air Group 14 and initially operated in US markings with temporary RNZAF serial.
Transferred to New Zealand ownership in late 1943 and renumbered NZ5018.
NZ5001 SBD-3 1466 Previously NZ205.
BOC with Unit 35, Seagrove on 03 November 1943.
To No.25 Squadron, Seagrave.
To No.26 Squadron, Seagrove in January 1944 and to storage at Hobsonville by March 1944.
Sold to J. Edwards from Hobsonville on 01 March 1948.
NZ5002 SBD-3 1467 Previously NZ206.
BOC with Unit 35, Seagrove on 26 October 1943.
To No.25 Squadron, Seagrave.
To No.26 Squadron, Seagrove in January 1944 and to storage at Hobsonville by March 1944.
Sold to J. Edwards from Hobsonville on 01 March 1948.
NZ5003 SBD-3 982 Previously NZ207.
BOC with Unit 35, Seagrove on 21 October 1943.
To No.25 Squadron, Seagrave.
No record of disposal but possibly cannibalised for parts.
NZ5004 SBD-3 782 Previously NZ208.
BOC with Unit 35, Seagrove on 03 November 1943.
To No.25 Squadron, Seagrave.
To No.26 Squadron, Seagrove in January 1944 and to storage at Hobsonville by March 1944.
Crashed and written off at Ardmore on training flight on 19 January 1944 when controls locked.
NZ5005 SBD-3 835 Previously NZ209.
BOC with Unit 35, Seagrove on 26 October 1943. To No.25 Squadron, Seagrave.
To No.26 Squadron, Seagrove in January 1944 and to storage at Hobsonville by March 1944.
Sold to J. Edwards from Hobsonville on 01 March 1948.
NZ5006 SBD-3 1193 Previously NZ210.
BOC with Unit 35, Seagrove on 26 October 1943.
To No.25 Squadron, Seagrave.
To No.26 Squadron, Seagrove in January 1944 and to storage at Hobsonville by March 1944.
Sold to J. Edwards from Hobsonville on 01 March 1948.

Douglas Dauntless SBD-3 
NZ5006
RNZAF Photo

NZ5007 SBD-3 1041 Previously NZ211. Allocated this serial number but never wore it.
See NZ211 above.
NZ5008 SBD-3 986 Previously NZ212.
To No.25 Squadron, Seagrave.
May never have been flown by RNZAF due to deteriorated condition when received.
No record of disposal but possibly cannibalised for parts.
Converted to instructional airframe INST91 with the TTS at Nelson in early 1944.
It would appear that the aircraft never reached Nelson but was probably stored at Hobsonville before being sold for scrap on 01 August 1948 to J. Edwards.
NZ5009 SBD-3 963 Previously NZ213.
BOC with Unit 35, Seagrove on 03 November 1943.
To No.25 Squadron, Seagrave.
To No.26 Squadron, Seagrove in January 1944.
to storage at Hobsonville by March 1944.
Sold to J. Edwards from Hobsonville on 01 March 1948.
NZ5010 SBD-3 1473 Previously NZ214.
BOC with Unit 35, Seagrove on 03 November 1943.
To No.25 Squadron, Seagrave.
To No.26 Squadron, Seagrove in January 1944.
To storage at Hobsonville by March 1944.
Sold to J. Edwards from Hobsonville on 01 March 1948.
NZ5011 SBD-3 1024 Previously NZ215.
BOC with Unit 35, Seagrove on 03 November 1943.
To No.25 Squadron, Seagrave.
To No.26 Squadron, Seagrove in January 1944 and
To storage at Hobsonville by March 1944.
Sold to J. Edwards from Hobsonville on 01 March 1948.
NZ5012 SBD-3 955 Previously NZ216.
BOC with Unit 35, Seagrove on 14 November 1943.
To No.25 Squadron, Seagrave.
To No.26 Squadron, Seagrove in January 1944.
To storage at Hobsonville by March 1944.
Sold to J. Edwards from Hobsonville on 01 March 1948.
NZ5013 SBD-3 776 Previously NZ217.
BOC with Unit 35, Seagrove on 03 November 1943.
To No.25 Squadron, Seagrave.
To No.26 Squadron, Seagrove in January 1944.
to storage at Hobsonville by March 1944.
Sold to J. Edwards from Hobsonville on 01 March 1948.
NZ5014 SBD-3 1186 Previously NZ218.
BOC with Unit 35, Seagrove on 03 November 1943.
To No.25 Squadron, Seagrave.
To No.26 Squadron, Seagrove in January 1944 and
To storage at Hobsonville by March 1944.
Sold to J. Edwards from Hobsonville on 01 March 1948.
NZ5015 SBD-3 1464 Previously NZ219.
BOC with Unit 35, Seagrove on 14 November 1943.
To No.25 Squadron, Seagrave.
To No.26 Squadron, Seagrove in January 1944.
To storage at Hobsonville by March 1944.
Sold to J. Edwards from Hobsonville on 01 March 1948.
NZ5016 SBD-3 1282 Previously NZ220.
BOC with Unit 35, Seagrove on 13 November 1943.
To No.25 Squadron, Seagrave.
Converted to instructional airframe INST110 with the Instrument School at Hobsonville.
Sold to J. Edwards from Hobsonville on 01 March 1948.
NZ5017 SBD-3 1191 Previously NZ221.
BOC with Unit 35, Seagrove on 03 November 1943.
To No.25 Squadron, Seagrave.
To No.26 Squadron, Seagrove in January 1944.
To storage at Hobsonville by March 1944.
Sold to J. Edwards from Hobsonville on 01 March 1948.
NZ5018 SBD-3 1434 Previously NZ222.
To No.25 Squadron, Seagrave.
May never have been flown by RNZAF due to deteriorated condition when received.
Cannilbalised for spares before being converted to instructional airframe INST 92 at Seagrove on 02 February 1944.
Later transferred to Woodbourne where it remained until about 1951.
Probably sold for scrap in the Nelson region at about that time.
NZ5019 SBD-4 2319 Bu10389. Loaned to New Zealand from Marine Air Group 14 and initially operated in US markings with temporary RNZAF serial.
Transferred to New Zealand ownership in late 1943.
BOC with Unit 35, Seagrove on 14 November 1943.
To No.25 Squadron, Seagrave.
To No.26 Squadron, Seagrove in January 1944.
To storage at Hobsonville by March 1944.
Sold to J. Edwards from Hobsonville on 01 March 1948.
NZ5020 SBD-4 2622 Bu10632. Loaned to New Zealand from Marine Air Group 14 and initially operated in US markings with temporary RNZAF serial.
Transferred to New Zealand ownership in late 1943.
BOC with Unit 35, Seagrove on 14 November 1943.
To No.25 Squadron, Seagrave.
To No.26 Squadron, Seagrove in January 1944.
To storage at Hobsonville by March 1944.
Sold to J. Edwards from Hobsonville on 01 March 1948.
NZ5021 SBD-4 2468

Bu10508. Loaned to New Zealand from Marine Air Group 14 and initially operated in US markings with temporary RNZAF serial.
Transferred to New Zealand ownership in late 1943.
BOC with Unit 35, Seagrove on 14 November 1943.
To No.25 Squadron, Seagrave.
To No.26 Squadron, Seagrove in January 1944.
To storage at Hobsonville by March 1944.
Sold to J. Edwards from Hobsonville on 01 March 1948.
Parts of this aircraft were stored in New Zealand for some years but were exported.

Final destination Castle Air Museum, Atwater, California, USA, being restored as a static display. Projected to take 10 years to complete

NZ5022 SBD-4 2275 Bu10345. Loaned to New Zealand from Marine Air Group 14 and initially operated in US markings with temporary RNZAF serial.
Transferred to New Zealand ownership in late 1943.
BOC with Unit 35, Seagrove on 14 November 1943.
To No.25 Squadron, Seagrave.
To No.26 Squadron, Seagrove in January 1944.
To storage at Hobsonville by March 1944.
Sold to J. Edwards from Hobsonville on 01 March 1948.
NZ5023 SBD-4 2572 Bu10582. Loaned to New Zealand from Marine Air Group 14 and initially operated in US markings with temporary RNZAF serial.
Transferred to New Zealand ownership in late 1943.
BOC with Unit 35, Seagrove on 14 November 1943.
To No.25 Squadron, Seagrave.
To No.26 Squadron, Seagrove in January 1944 and to storage at Hobsonville by March 1944.
Sold to J. Edwards from Hobsonville on 01 March 1948.
NZ5024 SBD-4 2499 Bu10539. Loaned to New Zealand from Marine Air Group 14 and initially operated in US markings with temporary RNZAF serial.
Transferred to New Zealand ownership in late 1943.
BOC with Unit 35, Seagrove on 14 November 1943.
To No.25 Squadron, Seagrave.
To No.26 Squadron, Seagrove in January 1944.
To storage at Hobsonville by March 1944.
Sold to J. Edwards from Hobsonville on 01 March 1948.
NZ5025 SBD-4 2691 Bu10691. Loaned to New Zealand from Marine Air Group 14 and initially operated in US markings with temporary RNZAF serial.
Transferred to New Zealand ownership in late 1943.
BOC with Unit 35, Seagrove on 14 November 1943. To No.25 Squadron, Seagrave.
To No.26 Squadron, Seagrove in January 1944.
To storage at Hobsonville by March 1944.
No records of disposal.
NZ5026 SBD-4 2589 Bu10599. Loaned to New Zealand from Marine Air Group 14 and initially operated in US markings with temporary RNZAF serial.
Transferred to New Zealand ownership in late 1943.
BOC with Unit 35, Seagrove on 13 November 1943.
To No.25 Squadron, Seagrave.
To No.26 Squadron, Seagrove in January 1944 and to storage at Hobsonville by March 1944.
Sold to J. Edwards from Hobsonville on 01 March 1948.
NZ5027 SBD-4 2573 Bu10583. Loaned to New Zealand from Marine Air Group 14 and initially operated in US markings with temporary RNZAF serial.
Transferred to New Zealand ownership in late 1943.
BOC with Unit 35, Seagrove on 14 November 1943.
To No.25 Squadron, Seagrave.
To No.26 Squadron, Seagrove in January 1944 and to storage at Hobsonville by March 1944.
Sold to J. Edwards from Hobsonville on 01 March 1948.
NZ5028 SBD-4 1857 Bu06952. Loaned to New Zealand from Marine Air Group 14.
BOC with No.25 Squadron, Espiritu Santo on 17 December 1943.
Returned to US Marine Corps at Espiritu Santo in late February/early March 1944.
NZ5029 SBD-4 2495 Bu10535. Loaned to New Zealand from Marine Air Group 14.
BOC with No.25 Squadron, Espiritu Santo on 17 December 1943.
Returned to US Marine Corps at Espiritu Santo in late February/early March 1944.
NZ5030 SBD-4 1589 Bu06744. Loaned to New Zealand from Marine Air Group 14.
BOC with No.25 Squadron, Espiritu Santo on 17 December 1943.
Returned to US Marine Corps at Espiritu Santo in late February/early March 1944.
NZ5031 SBD-4 2367 Bu10407. Loaned to New Zealand from Marine Air Group 14.
BOC with No.25 Squadron, Espiritu Santo on 17 December 1943.
Returned to US Marine Corps at Espiritu Santo in late February/early March 1944.
NZ5032 SBD-4 2364 Bu10404. Loaned to New Zealand from Marine Air Group 14.
BOC with No.25 Squadron, Espiritu Santo on 17 December 1943.
Returned to US Marine Corps at Espiritu Santo in late February/early March 1944.
NZ5033 SBD-4 1585 Bu06740. Loaned to New Zealand from Marine Air Group 14.
BOC with No.25 Squadron, Espiritu Santo on 17 December 1943.
Returned to US Marine Corps at Espiritu Santo in late February/early March 1944.
NZ5034 SBD-4 1611 Bu06766. Loaned to New Zealand from Marine Air Group 14.
BOC with No.25 Squadron, Espiritu Santo on 17 December 1943.
Returned to US Marine Corps at Espiritu Santo in late February/early March 1944.
NZ5035 SBD-4 1608 Bu06763. Loaned to New Zealand from Marine Air Group 14.
BOC with No.25 Squadron, Espiritu Santo on 17 December 1943.
Returned to US Marine Corps at Espiritu Santo in late February/early March 1944.
NZ5036 SBD-4 1690 Bu06815. Loaned to New Zealand from Marine Air Group 14.
BOC with No.25 Squadron, Espiritu Santo on 17 December 1943.
Returned to US Marine Corps at Espiritu Santo in late February/early March 1944.
NZ5037 SBD-4 1858 Bu06953. Loaned to New Zealand from Marine Air Group 14.
BOC with No.25 Squadron, Espiritu Santo on 26 December 1943.
To No.25 Squadron.
Disappeared near Santo on a radio range familiarisation flight on 11 February 1944.
The aircraft went missing in the cloud covered hills around the area and despite extensive searches the wreckage was not found.
Flying Officer Alexander Moore and Flight Sergeant John Munro missing presumed killed.
The wreckage was discovered in 1987 and is now on display at the RNZAF Museum, Wigram, in as found condition.
NZ5038 SBD-4 2323 Bu10393. Loaned to New Zealand from Marine Air Group 14.
BOC with No.25 Squadron, Espiritu Santo on 26 December 1943.
Returned to US Marine Corps at Espiritu Santo in late February/early March 1944.
NZ5039 SBD-4 1836 Bu06931. Loaned to New Zealand from Marine Air Group 14.
BOC with No.25 Squadron, Espiritu Santo on 26 December 1943.
Returned to US Marine Corps at Espiritu Santo in late February/early March 1944.
NZ5040 SBD-4 2597 Bu10607. Loaned to New Zealand from Marine Air Group 14.
BOC with No.25 Squadron, Espiritu Santo on 26 December 1943.
Returned to US Marine Corps at Espiritu Santo in late February/early March 1944.
NZ5041 SBD-4 1866 Bu06961. Loaned to New Zealand from Marine Air Group 14.
BOC with No.25 Squadron, Espiritu Santo on 30 December 1943.
Returned to US Marine Corps at Espiritu Santo in late February/early March 1944.
NZ5042 SBD-4 2314 Bu10384. Loaned to New Zealand from Marine Air Group 14.
BOC with No.25 Squadron, Espiritu Santo on 08 January 1944.
Returned to US Marine Corps at Espiritu Santo in late February/early March 1944.
NZ5043 SBD-4 2626 Bu10636. Loaned to New Zealand from Marine Air Group 14.
BOC with No.25 Squadron, Espiritu Santo on 08 January 1944.
Returned to US Marine Corps at Espiritu Santo in late February/early March 1944.
NZ5044 SBD-4 1634 Bu06789. Loaned to New Zealand from Marine Air Group 14.
BOC with No.25 Squadron, Espiritu Santo on 26 January 1944.
Returned to US Marine Corps at Espiritu Santo in late February/early March 1944.
NZ5045 SBD-4 2460 Bu10500. Loaned to New Zealand from Marine Air Group 14.
BOC with No.25 Squadron, Espiritu Santo on 26 January 1944.
Returned to US Marine Corps at Espiritu Santo in late February/early March 1944.
NZ5046 SBD-5 5490 Bu36862. Taken over as new aircraft February-March 1944.
BOC with No.25 Servicing Unit on 24 February 1944.
Ferried to Bougainville for use with No.25 Squadron, arriving at Piva on 23 March 1944.
Named "FERDINAND".
Took part in No.25 Squadron's first strike against Japanese positions in the Suka Valley on 24 March 1944.
Returned to US Marine Corps at Russell on 20 May 1944.
NZ5047 SBD-5 5519 Bu36891. Taken over as new aircraft February-March 1944.
BOC with No.25 Servicing Unit on 24 February 1944.
Ferried to Bougainville for use with No.25 Squadron, arriving at Piva on 24 March 1944.
Named "CARBORUNDUM NIL BARSTARDIUM" with coat of arms.
Returned to US Marine Corps at Russell on 20 May 1944.
NZ5048 SBD-5 5523 Bu36895. Taken over as new aircraft February-March 1944.
BOC with No.25 Servicing Unit on 24 February 1944.
Ferried to Bougainville for use with No.25 Squadron, arriving at Piva on 23 March 1944.
Named "Salome".
Returned to US Marine Corps at Russell on 20 May 1944.
NZ5049 SBD-5 5525 Bu36897. Taken over as new aircraft February-March 1944.
BOC with No.25 Servicing Unit on 24 February 1944.
Ferried to Bougainville for use with No.25 Squadron, arriving at Piva on 24 March 1944.
Named "WINNI-PU-III".
Returned to US Marine Corps at Russell on 20 May 1944.

Douglas Dauntless SBD-5 
NZ5049
RNZAF Photo

NZ5050 SBD-5 5526 Bu36898. Taken over as new aircraft February-March 1944.
BOC with No.25 Servicing Unit on 24 February 1944.
Ferried to Bougainville for use with No.25 Squadron, arriving at Piva on 24 March 1944.
Named "PRUNE"S PROGRESS".
No.25 Squadron.
Presumed to have been shot down during a raid on Lakunai on 17 April 1944.
The aircraft was part of a flight of 11 which were met by heavy flak in the target area.
Pilot Officer Geoffrey Cray and Warrant Officer Frank Bell missing presumed killed.
NZ5051 SBD-5 5536 Bu36908. Taken over as new aircraft February-March 1944.
BOC with No.25 Servicing Unit on 24 February 1944.
Ferried to Bougainville for use with No.25 Squadron, arriving at Piva on 24 March 1944.
To No.25 Squadron.
Crashed in Greet Harbour after being hit by flak during a bombing run at 1100 hours on 10 May 1944.
Flight Lieutenant Jack Edwards and Warrant Officer Louis Hoppe killed.
NZ5052 SBD-5 5538 Bu36910. Taken over as new aircraft February-March 1944.
BOC with No.25 Servicing Unit on 20 February 1944.
Ferried to Bougainville for use with No.25 Squadron, arriving at Piva on 24 March 1944.
Returned to US Marine Corps at Russell on 20 May 1944.
NZ5053 SBD-5 5539 Bu36911. Taken over as new aircraft February-March 1944.
BOC with No.25 Servicing Unit on 22 February 1944.
Ferried to Bougainville for use with No.25 Squadron, arriving at Piva on 24 March 1944.
Returned to US Marine Corps at Russell on 20 May 1944.
NZ5054 SBD-5 5542 Bu36914. Taken over as new aircraft February-March 1944.
BOC with No.25 Servicing Unit on 24 February 1944.
Ferried to Bougainville for use with No.25 Squadron, arriving at Piva on 23 March 1944.
Named "HOME'S THE CAPER".
Destroyed when hung up clusters of bombs exploded on landing at Piva on 02 April 1944.
Flight Sergeant Jolly unhurt and Flight Sergeant Price injured.
NZ5055 SBD-5 5551 Bu36923. Taken over as new aircraft February-March 1944.
BOC with No.25 Servicing unit in February 1944.
Ferried to Bougainville for use with No.25 Squadron, arriving at Piva on 23 March 1944.
Named "HE'LL BE BACK AGAIN".
Crashed at Henderson Field after a ferry flight on 22 March 1944 and was written off after colliding with an oil drum.
NZ5056 SBD-5 5552 Bu36924. Taken over as new aircraft February-March 1944.
BOC with No.25 Servicing Unit on 20 February 1944.
Ferried to Bougainville for use with No.25 Squadron, arriving at Piva on 23 March 1944.
Named "PADDY"S MISTAKE".
Returned to US Marine Corps at Russell on 20 May 1944.
NZ5057 SBD-5 5553 Bu36925. Taken over as new aircraft February-March 1944.
BOC with No.25 Servicing Unit on 24 February 1944.
Ferried to Bougainville for use with No.25 Squadron, arriving at Piva on 23 March 1944.
Named "HOWA-BAHT-THAT-HIC thing!"
Returned to US Marine Corps at Russell on 20 May 1944.
NZ5058 SBD-5 5556 Bu36928. Taken over as new aircraft February-March 1944.
BOC with No.25 Servicing Unit on 24 February 1944.
To No.25 Squadron.
Ferried to Bougainville for use with No.25 Squadron, arriving at Piva on 23 March 1944.
Took part in No.25 Squadron's first strike against Japanese positions in the Suka Valley on 24 March 1944.
Written off after being damaged beyond economic repair during a raid on Lakunai on 17 April 1944. The aircraft was part of a flight of 11 which were met by heavy flak in the target area.
NZ5059 SBD-5 5544 Bu36916. Taken over as new aircraft February-March 1944.
BOC with No.25 Servicing Unit on 20 February 1944.
Ferried to Bougainville for use with No.25 Squadron, arriving at Piva on 24 March 1944.
Named "THE JOKER".
Destroyed when hung up clusters of bombs exploded on landing at Piva on 02 April 1944.
Sergeant Symonds and Flight Sergeant Boden injured.
NZ5060 SBD-5 3863 Bu28516. Taken over as new aircraft February-March 1944.
BOC with No.25 Servicing Unit on 01 April 1944.
Ferried to Bougainville for use with No.25 Squadron, arriving at Piva on 23 March 1944.
Named "MAD MAC" on front cockpit and "SYNCOPATION" on rear.
Took part in No.25 Squadron's first strike against Japanese positions in the Suka Valley on 24 March 1944.
Returned to US Marine Corps at Russell on 20 May 1944.
NZ5061 SBD-5 3873 Bu28526. Taken over as new aircraft February-March 1944.
BOC with No.25 Servicing Unit on 01 April 1944.
Ferried to Bougainville for use with No.25 Squadron, arriving at Piva on 23 March 1944.
Took part in No.25 Squadron's first strike against Japanese positions in the Suka Valley on 24 March 1944.
Returned to US Marine Corps at Russell on 20 May 1944.
NZ5062 SBD-5 3883 Bu28536. Built at the Douglas El Segundo plant and handed over to the US Navy in June 1943.
BOC with No.25 Servicing Unit on 01 April 1944.
Ferried to Bougainville for use with No.25 Squadron, arriving at Piva on 24 March 1944.
Named "FRANCOIS".
Returned to US Marine Corps at Russell on 20 May 1944.
The fuselage of the aircraft was acquired by Planes of Fame Museum in 1959 after laying derelict in a San Fernando field since the war.
Stored at Claremont, California until December 1965 before restoration began and it went on display at the Museum without wings.
In 1976 the SBD was used in the filming of the movie "Midway" with Charlton Heston being filmed sitting in the cockpit of the then wingless bomber.
In 1982, restoration to airworthy condition of this aircraft began and on July 2, 1987, it was flown with the registration NX670AM.
It was used in the movies again in 1987 for the mini-series "War and Remembrance".
On September 8, 1987, during the filming of "War and Remembrance", The Air Museum's own John Maloney had the distinction of flying the SBD off the aircraft carrier AVT16 USS Lexington with Blue Angels team leader (1964-1966), Bob Aumack in the gunners position.
This was the first SBD launch from an aircraft carrier in 42 years.
Currently registered to the Chino Air Museum (Planes of Fame), California as N670AM.
NZ5063 SBD-5 2794 Bu10849. Taken over as new aircraft February-March 1944.
BOC with No.25 Servicing Unit on 17 April 1944.
Ferried to Bougainville for use with No.25 Squadron, arriving at Piva on 24 March 1944.
Returned to US Marine Corps at Russell on 20 May 1944.
NZ5064 SBD-5 5715 Bu54201. Taken over as new aircraft at Piva in March 1944 to replace NZ5055.
BOC with No.25 Servicing Unit on 17 April 1944.
Ferried to Bougainville for use with No.25 Squadron, arriving at Piva on 30 March 1944.
Returned to US Marine Corps at Russell on 20 May 1944.
NZ5065 SBD-5 5726 Bu54212. Taken over as new aircraft at Piva in March 1944 to replace NZ5063.
BOC with No.25 Servicing Unit on 17 April 1944.
Returned to US Marine Corps at Russell on 20 May 1944.
NZ5066 SBD-5 3782 Bu28435. Taken over as new aircraft at Piva in April 1944 to replace NZ5054.
BOC with No.25 Servicing Unit on 16 April 1944.
Returned to US Marine Corps at Russell on 20 May 1944.
NZ5067 SBD-5 2888 Bu10895. Taken over as new aircraft at Piva in April 1944 to replace NZ5050.
BOC with No.25 Servicing Unit on 27 April 1944.
Returned to US Marine Corps at Russell on 20 May 1944.
NZ5068 SBD-5 4562 Bu35923. Taken over as new aircraft at Piva in April 1944 to replace NZ5058.
BOC with No.25 Servicing Unit on 27 April 1944.
Returned to US Marine Corps at Russell on 20 May 1944.
Bu28452 SBD-5 3799 Coded "176". Taken over as new aircraft at Piva in April 1944 to replace NZ5059.
Ditched on ferry flight from Guadalcanal to Piva on 04 April 1944.
A flight of 3 aircraft experienced radio difficulties during the flight and became lost in deteriorating weather.
The other 2 aircraft managed to land safely but "176" was presumed to have ditched.
Flying Officer Leslie McLellan-Symonds missing presumed killed.
 
     

Author: Ivan Prince (Updated by Brendan Cowan), now managed by Les Billcliff

Sources: AHSNZ publications 1961-1972. RNZAF records. "For Your Tomorrow" by Errol Martyn.

Emails: Martin Edwards, Brendan Cowan, Zac Yates.

Updated 07 January 2023

     
     

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