Son-of-a-***** Second Class - Curtiss SB2C

[Wolfala]

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.



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

[Saxman]

Actually, I seem to remember the SBD being credited with more enemy tonnage destroyed than any other aircraft, and overall was second only to the submarine.

[Tails]

Cannon-armed carrier based divebomber with a decent payload...

I could see a use for this

[Karnak]

Why do we need anoher late war American attack aircraft when the Japanese planeset is still saddled with 1937 and 1938 attack planes?  Maybe the B6N2, D4Y2 or B7A2 (a superior, cannon armed attack plane when compared to the SB2C) would be better for the game overall?

Particularly an American attack aircraft that was so disliked that it earned the moniker in the thread's title?

[Simaril]

Originally posted by Karnak
Why do we need anoher late war American attack aircraft when the Japanese planeset is still saddled with 1937 and 1938 attack planes?  Maybe the B6N2, D4Y2 or B7A2 (a superior, cannon armed attack plane when compared to the SB2C) would be better for the game overall?

Particularly an American attack aircraft that was so disliked that it earned the moniker in the thread's title?

Karnak:

I'm more of an aviation history enthusiast than an aviation historian, but I have to wonder....when it come to USSR and IJN/IJA craft, just how available are reliable english language sources for hard data?

I gather that HTC puts a lot of weight on the technical manuals' data. My impression has been that they feel this approach at least standardizes dta aquisition, which can be problematic with such a multitude of test documents popping up without standardised conditions, loadouts, etc.

Are the equivalent Japanese and Russian documents harder to come by?

[Karnak]

Not as available by any means, this would be the biggest issue for the B7A2 undoubtedly.  The B6N2 and D4Y2 should be doable though.

Remember, we got the D3A1 and SBD-5 via a poll HTC ran.  The other option was the D4Y2 and the SB2C, so clearly they think they can do a D4Y2.