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Curtiss-Wright SB2C Helldiver
The first production SB2C-1 flew on 30 June 1942 and first flew into combat in the campaign for Rabaul in November 1943. By the next year it replaced the aging SBD Dauntless as the Navy's first line dive bomber.
The "Big-Tailed Beast," as its not-always-affectionate crewmen called it, was designed in 1939. A maddening assortment of problems during development resulted in 880 design changes and delayed its entry into service long past the original deadline. However, the SB2C proved to be a formidable and highly versatile weapon. It delivered bombs and depth charges with pinpoint accuracy and could strafe with cannon, rocket and machine gun fire.
Some of the 7,200 Helldivers built flew with the Marine Corps and with the USAAF as the A-25A Shrike, and a few were delivered to the Royal Navy. The SB2C continued in service for several years after the war, and proved to be the Navy's last pure dive bomber. The SB2C was phased out of U.S. military service in June 1949. However, the 'dash-5s' continued to see service in Greece, Italy, France, Portugal and Thailand and was last flown by Italy in February 1959.
The CAF Helldiver is a SB2C-5, the last production variant of this aircraft. It is distinguished from other SB2Cs by increased fuel capacity, a frameless sliding canopy for the pilot, a spinner less, four-blade prop, and the fixing of the tailhook in the extended position. Production began in February 1945, but few 'dash-5s' reached active squadrons before wars end.
Manufacturer: Curtiss-Wright Corporation
Type: Navy Dive Bomber
Engine: 1900HP Wright R-2600 Cyclone
Wing Span: 49 Feet 9 Inches
Height: 14 Feet 9 Inches
Max. Speed: 294 MPH
Ceiling: 25,000 Feet
Range: 1,200 Miles
Crew: 2
Armament: 2X20 MM Cannons with 800 rounds per gun, 2X.30 Caliber Machine Guns with 2,000 rounds per gun
"The Big-Tailed Beast" SB2C-5 N92879
The CAF's SB2C was utilized by the Navy from 5 July 1945 through 31 August 1948. She was assigned as a pool aircraft to various locations, primarily in California. Her final assignment was with the pool at NAS Corpus Christi, Texas in April 1948. She was removed from active service on 31 August 1948 and declared surplus on 14 October 1948. This SB2C was used by an aeronautical school for several years and was procured by a California museum in May 1963. A CAF member purchased the aircraft from the museum and donated her to the CAF on 20 December 1971. The original colors and markings on the aircraft were probably VA-1B NAS Alameda, California from February through September 1947.
The SB2C Helldiver: West Texas Wing Restoration Project.
Of the 7,200 SB2C Helldivers built during World War II, ours is the only one still flying.
She experienced engine failure in 1982 and suffered extensive damage while making an emergency landing. Many said "The Beast would never fly again". However, the members of the West Texas Wing did not accept this proposition. After thousands of volunteer man hours and a project cost in excess of $200,000, "The Beast" did fly again in September 1988. The current colors and markings are those of the carrier U.S.S. Franklin CV-13.
Although on a tour rotation schedule, it is housed in the Cactus Squadron hangar much of the time. The Helldiver is a project of the West Texas Wing of the Commemorative Air Force and is an item of great interest to visitors of the Robert E. Richeson Memorial Museum.
email jwjasc-001@yahoo.com
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