Hobby Master Archive

In 1944 the French Naval Aviation (Aeronautique Navale) received 32 SBD-5s for 2 squadrons (flotilles) 3FB and 4FB. The aircraft retained standard USN colors with added French markings. In April 1945 each SBD-5 averaged 3 missions a day in the European theater. In 1946 4FB became 4F and was assigned to the former Royal Navy aircraft carrier Colossus now named Arromanches. In late 1947 during one operation in the Indo-China War 4F flew 200 missions and dropped 65 tons of bombs. 1950 saw the TBM replace the SBD-5s.