The Curtiss SB2C Helldiver was a rather unassuming dive bomber / reconnaissance aircraft serving throughout the Second World War. Originally designed in a competition to replace the aging SBC biplane series, the SB2C faced off against Brewster's entry - the XSB2A Buccaneer - with the SB2C becoming the eventual winner.
The Helldiver was conceived as a mostly all-metal low-monoplane wing design fielding a crew of two personnel. The SB2C, incidentally, became the third in a long line of aircraft to bear the moniker of "Helldiver" and would go on to earn a substantial record in the global conflict. The aircraft was fitted with a single Wright-powered engine and straight wings, though the low-hanging portly fuselage would become a hallmark of the series. The design was specifically engineered with a large surface tail assembly for improved handling.
The US Navy Helldiver was produced with a retractable tail wheel and arrestor hook for carrier operations and would eventually be able to field rockets along with bombs in its arsenal. Despite the fact that the one and only prototype crashed shortly after its maiden flight, the system was put into full production with the United States Navy and United States Army (as the A25-A). With the US Army, the A-25A saw limited usage and would later be transferred to units with the US Marine Corps as a traditional land-based dive bomber / reconnaissance aircraft. These Helldivers would earn the designation series of SB2C-1A. Additionally, the SB2C would see several variants that would improve upon the model by increasing power, fuel efficiency and armament. By war's end, the SB2C would be a legend in its own right.
*Source -
http://www.militaryfactory.com/aircraft/detail.asp?aircraft_id=265General characteristics
Crew: Two, pilot and radio operator/gunner
Length: 36 ft 9 in (11.2 m)
Wingspan: 49 ft 9 in (15.2 m)
Height: 14 ft 9 in (4.5 m)
Wing area: 422 ft² (39.2 m²)
Empty weight: 10,114 lb (4,588 kg)
Loaded weight: 13,674 lb (6,202 kg)
Max takeoff weight: 16,800 lb (7,600 kg)
Powerplant: 1× Wright R-2600 Cyclone radial engine, 1,900 hp (1,400 kW)
Performance
Maximum speed: 294 mph (473 km/h)
Range: 1,200 miles (1,900 km)
Service ceiling 25,000 ft (7,600 m)
Rate of climb: 1,750 ft/min (8.9 m/s)
Armament
2 x 20 mm cannon in the wings
2 x 0.30 in (7.62 mm) machine guns in the rear cockpit
Internal bay: 2,000 lb (900 kg) of bombs or 1x Mark 13-2 torpedo
Underwing hardpoints: 500 lb (225 kg) of bombs each
And now, isn't it time for some pictures?
I think it's time for a divebomber that could challenge the big buffs and give us some more carrier based options.
It's time for the sb2c!
