Hobby Master Archive

During February and March 1944 the RNZAF received 18 ex-USMC SBD-5’s. One of the aircraft c/n 3863 Bu.No28516 became NZ5060 and was assigned to No. 25 Squadron. The aircraft arrived at Piva Airstrip on Bougainville on March 23rd 1944 and flew its first mission on March 24th. NZ5060 was crewed by Flying Officer Leslie McLellan-Symonds and Flight Sergeant R.F. Bailey. The main targets for No. 25 were other parts of Bougainville and Rabaul. The normal tour of duty in the Piva area was six weeks but No. 25 Squadron did eight. The crews flew an average of 95 hours and completed 29 of 32 planned strikes. The RNZAF began to receive F4U-1 Corsairs and after only 4 months of service the SBD-5’s were returned to the USMC on May 20, 1944.

THE DIVE BRAKES ARE PERMANENTLY IN THE OPEN POSITION