Curtiss Helldiver

[Pathfinder]

I am planning a painting of a Curtiss Helldiver in the near future and have been doing some research.

It seems this aircraft type was was not well liked by it aircrews, and had the nickname, 'Son of a bitch, 2nd Class' due to its poor overall performance.

However, I do believe that overall this aircraft type served well and dished out some severe punishment on Japanese shipping and other targets.

Can anyone confirm this for me please, to give me a little more background to this aircraft? Although I know many veterans who flew various types, I have never spoken to a pilot of one of these.

Pathfinder

[Juha]

Hello Pathfinder
my understanding is that from SB2C-3 onwards Helldiver was a competent divebomber.

Regards
Juha

[Pyker]

One good source is the book by Hal Buell : The Dauntless Helldivers which should be available at your library. I have the paperback edition. Buell flew both the Dauntless and the Helldiver and was decorated with the Navy Cross.

Pyker

[Pathfinder]

Thanks for the tip, will look out for that book.

Pathfinder
Aviation Artist

[Jim Oxley]

Another nickname for teh SB2C was "The Beast".The Helldiver was riddled with problems eg structural weakness, horrible stall characteristics (worse than the early F4U Corsairs), poor stability, very poor handling, engine failures, in-flight breakups to name just a few. In fact it wasn't until the introduction of the SB2C-3 that things started to get under control, but even then the Curtiss suffered from a high number of carrier crashes and stability problems for the remainder of it's career.

[Pathfinder]

Thanks for the information, Jim! I have since read that there were more lost in accidents than in combat! I don't know how true this is, but from what you have described, perhaps losses through accidents could be expected.

Or, perhaps it's a case like the B-26. The fact that she had this terrible reputation leading to the nickname, 'the widow maker, amongst others, yet distinguished herself as a capable and worthy medium bomber when in capable hands. I believe the losses at the end of the war through accidents were actually far less than other aircraft types, such as the B-25 for example.

Please correct me if I am wrong in any of the above, as I'm sure you will......

[Leo Etgen]

Hi Pathfinder

Here is a link to a short article concerning the Curtiss SB2C Helldiver. Perhaps you have already seen it but though short and basic it is nice for those who maybe would like a primer to this interesting and unfortunately somewhat forgotten aircraft: http://www.acepilots.com/planes/helldiver.html

Horrido!

Leo

[Pathfinder]

Leo,

Yes, I saw this written piece a while back, but you're right, it gives other interested parties who may not know much about this important aircraft type, a preview into its history.

I tend to find the less popular planes more interesting sometimes.