This low wing tip cantilever monoplane replaced the fixed wing SBD. After a lengthy development period 1939-1942, and more than 880 major design changes the SB2C was complete. The SB2C-3 Helldiver was the last and most extensively built of all US Navy dive bombers. The Army version, A-25 Shrike, had fixed wings.
The first Helldiver entered combat along side Hellcats and Avengers, on November 11, 1943 over Rabaul. Annihilating all Kate torpedo bombers and Val dive bombers from the Japanese air group, the Rabaul mission was considered an outstanding success. The SB2C-3 was built only by Curtiss, and remained in service until the 1950’s.
Yanks acquired this aircraft in 1989. Previously owned by the Fox Movie Studios.
| DISPLAY STATUS | COUNTRY OF ORIGIN | CURRENT LOCATION |
|---|---|---|
| Own | United States | Restoration Hangar |
| PURPOSE & TYPE | MATERIALS | ERA & DATE RANGE |
| Fighter, Bomber | Steel | World War II 1939 – 1945 |
| PRODUCTION & ACQUISITION |
SPECIFICATIONS | SERVICE HISTORY |
| MFG: Curtiss First Produced: 1940 Number Built: 7,200 total; 2,054 SB2C-3s Armament: (2) 7.62 mm machine guns in rear cockpit, (2) 20 mm canon wings, 2,000 lbs of bombsYanks acquired this aircraft in 1989. |
Wingspan: 49 ft, 9 in Wing Area: 422 sq ft Length: 36 ft, 8 in Height: 13 ft, 2 in Empty Weight: 10,400 lbs Gross Weight: 16,616 lbs Powerplant: Wright R-2600-20 Thrust: Cruise Speed: 254 mph Maximum Speed: 295 mph Range: 1,925 miles |
Delivered: May 4, 1944 |