History: The Curtiss Helldiver, despite a reputation for being difficult to handle at low speeds, was responsible for the destruction of more Japanese targets than any other aircraft. The Curtiss SB2C single-engine dive-bomber joined the fleet late in 1943, joining the Douglas Dauntless as the primary attack/bombing planes for the US Navy. The two-man Helldiver had a top speed of 295 mph and good range, making it an essential tool in the far reaches of the Pacific war.
With underwing and bomb attachments, the Helldiver could carry 1,000 pounds of bombs or an internal torpedo; later improvements included an up-rated Wright Cyclone engine and rocket hard-points. It carried two fixed forward 20mm cannon and machine guns in the rear cockpit.
Only 26 of the 7,000 Helldivers built found their way to the other services; the plane was so valuable in the Pacific theater that the Navy absorbed nearly every plane. Postwar, the Helldiver found further use with the French, Italian, Greek and Portuguese Navies and the Royal Thai Air Force. Only one airworthy Helldiver remains -- with the Commemorative Air Force in Texas -- but at least one more is under restoration to airworthy status.
Nicknames: Son-of-a-Bitch Second Class.
Specifications (SB2C-4):
Engine: One 1,900-hp Wright R-2600-20 Cyclone 14 radial piston engine
Weight: Empty 10,547 lbs., Max Takeoff 16,616 lbs.
Wing Span: 49ft. 9in.
Length: 36ft. 8in.
Height: 13ft. 2in.
Performance:
Maximum Speed: 295 mph
Cruising Speed: 158 mph
Ceiling: 29,100 ft.
Range: 1,165 miles
Armament:
Two 20-mm wing-mounted cannon and two 7.62-mm (0.3-inch) machine guns in rear cockpit;
Up to 2,000 pounds of bombs on underwing racks and in fuselage bay.
Number Built: ~7,000
Number Still Airworthy: One
3 comments:
Very cool site. I'm always amazed at how uneducated I am when it comes to military aircraft. It wouldn't be a problem except for the fact that I live near an airbase!
Anyway, I found you through entrecard and I wanted to encourage you to continue to post. Your work may help thousands of others just like me not look as foolish the next time we talk with someone in the military. ;)
Also, I run a photo blog called www.Snigit.com that is currently holding an amateur photo contest. I'd like to invite you to pop over to Snigit and share a photo or two. If you want to enter the contest make sure you follow the entry directions, otherwise I won't have your contact info if you win. (the prize is $50 via Paypal).
Anyway, thanks for providing me with a bit of much-needed education.
Cheers!
Tyler
WoW that is a cool plane! I will come here more often, I love planes especially the B2 Bomber! Keep up the good pics and info!!!
Interesting website, although I don´t know much about military aircraft, its not my interest really, however I am old enough to have been born 1940 and we had 3 aircraft pilots stationed near where I lived as a child in Boxmoor, England.The airfield was called Bovington and was a RAF air raid field. Although I was only a little girl, I remember these pilots very well,2 from Poland, one from USA. They used to supply me with bananas from the canteen. No one my age had ever seen a banana during world war 2, because everything was rationed and fruit from exotic places never got through to ordinary people.
Keep up the good work, its interesting!
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