CAF Curtiss SB2C-5 “Helldiver” BuNo N92879
By Ken Patterson IPMS #42587

On Saturday, June 19, 2004, I had the opportunity to snap a few pictures of the only Curtiss SB2C-5 “Helldiver” still in flying condition out of 7,200 built during World War II. The aircraft was on display and performing flight demos at The Military Air Preservation Society (MAPS) annual Aero Expo air show at Akron Fulton airport in Akron, Ohio. http://www.mapsairmuseum.org/ Our IPMS chapter, IPMS/Fame Cities, had the privilege of displaying some models in a booth at the show.

The aircraft is part of the West Texas Wing of the Confederate Air Force Ghost Squadron and carries the markings of the Essex class U.S.S. Franklin (“Big Ben”), CV-13. More information on this aircraft can be found at the websites:

http://www.sb2chelldiver.org/
http://rwebs.net/ghostsqd/sb2c.htm

Plagued with problems from its introduction in 1940, the SB2C did not see action until late 1943 when they flew sorties against the Japanese port at Rabaul. The Helldiver participated in other well known air/sea battles such as Leyte Gulf and the Philippine Sea. The aircraft later went on to replace the Navy’s front line dive bomber, the Douglas SBD. The Helldiver was tough to fly and was nicknamed by its pilots and crewmen as the “Big Tailed Beast” and the less affectionate acronym “Son-of-a-Bitch Second Class”. Although highly criticized, the last true Navy dive bomber had claimed more enemy ship tonnage sank by war’s end than any other aircraft.

SPECIFICATIONS:
Manufacturer: Curtiss-Wright Corporation Type: Navy Dive Bomber Engine: 1900HP Wright R-2600-20 Cyclone Wing Span: 49’ 9” Length: 36’ 9” Height: 14’ 9” Maximum Speed: 294 MPH Normal Cruising Speed: ~194 MPH Rate of Climb: 1750 ft/min Ceiling: 25,000 Ft Range: 1,200 miles Crew: 2, 1 pilot and 1 radio operator/gunner Armament: 2x20mm wing mounted cannons with 800 rounds per gun 2x.30 Caliber machine guns with 2,000 rounds per gun Ordnance: Internal bomb bay – up to 2,000 lbs of bombs, depth charges or a Mk 13-2 torpedo Two under wing hard points – up to 500lbs each of bombs, depth charges or unguided rockets

This particular aircraft was used by the Navy from 5 July 1945 to 31 August 1948. She was assigned as a pool aircraft serving in both California and Texas locations until being removed from active service and declared surplus in October of 1948. She was used by an aeronautical school for many years before ending up in a California museum in 1963. On December 20, 1971 the Helldiver was purchased and donated to the CAF. In 1982 this aircraft suffered severe damage while making an emergency landing due to engine failure. Many feared the Helldiver would never fly again. Thousands of man hours and more than $200,000 later the “Beast” flew again in September 1988.

In hindsight I wish I had taken more photos but it is sometimes difficult at an air show trying to work around the crowds. It was worth the small donation to be able walk up on her wing. Even more exciting was to hear the sound of that Wright Cyclone on the only flying SB2C-5 Helldiver during those simulated strafing passes.

PHOTOS:

Page 1, Row 1
1. The “Helldiver” port side fuselage.
2. Front View, wings folded, cowling, air scoop and big Hamilton Standard prop
3. Starboard wing fold.
4. Starboard wheel well and strut

Page 1, Row 2
5. Starboard wheel well and hydraulic lines
6. Forward cockpit instrument panel. Modern GPS navigation system in the center.
7. Throttle quadrant and port side console detail
8. Starboard side console detail and map compartment

Page 1, Row 3
9. Rudder pedals and flight stick
10. Windscreen and cowling
11. Twin .30s and collapsible gun storage compartment
12. Collapsible gun storage compartment, vertical and horizontal stabilizer

Page 1, Row 4
13. Radio operator/gunners seat
14. Looking forward from the aft cockpit
15. Starboard dive brake detail
16. Oil cooler air scoop