Curtiss SB2C-5 Helldiver

Curtiss SB2C-5 Helldiver
Betaalt	Usa
Type	Bombardier

Fotogalerij op een Curtiss SB2C-5 Helldiver, The Curtiss SB2C Helldiver surnommé « The beast » (La bête) par ses équipages est un avion militaire de la Seconde Guerre mondiale. L’usine Curtiss ontving als Brewster in mei 1939 een bevel van de Amerikaanse marine om de Douglas SBD Dauntless te vervangen als duikbommenwerper op Amerikaanse vliegdekschepen. Het prototype vloog voor het eerst op 18 december 1940, maar werd een paar dagen later bij een ongeluk vernietigd. Dit incident en de talrijke aanpassingen (toename van de capaciteit om brandstof te vervoeren, zelfstoptanks, versterking van de bewapening van het bord, toename van het oppervlak van de drift en het roer) leidden tot een aanzienlijke vertraging en hoewel het eerste productievoorbeeld in juni 1942 vloog, werd de eerste oorlogsmissie pas op 11 november 1943 uitgevoerd met het bombardement op het eiland Rabaul.

Bron: Curtiss SB2C-5 Helldiver op Wikipedia Vu sur le forum

Curtiss SB2C-5 Helldiver – WalkAround
Fotograaf	Onbewust
Lokalisatie	Onbewust
Foto 's	49

Curtiss SB2C-5 Helldiver 01

Curtiss SB2C-5 Helldiver 02

Curtiss SB2C-5 Helldiver 04

Curtiss SB2C-5 Helldiver 03

Curtiss SB2C-5 Helldiver 06

Curtiss SB2C-5 Helldiver 05

Curtiss SB2C-5 Helldiver 07

Curtiss SB2C-5 Helldiver 08

Curtiss SB2C-5 Helldiver 09

Click on a photo and use the mouse scroll to view all photos

Wacht, Zoeken Curtiss SB2C-5 Helldiver foto's voor u...

Zie ook:

Wacht, Zoeken Curtiss SB2C-5 Helldiver foto's voor u...

De Curtiss SB2C Helldiver was the U.S. Navy’s principal carrier-based dive bomber during the latter half of World War II. Intended to replace the venerable SBD Dauntless, the SB2C was a larger, faster, and much more powerful aircraft. The SB2C-5 was the final production variant, featuring key improvements that addressed many of the earlier model’s notorious handling issues, earning it a grudging respect despite its difficult reputation.

Key Specifications (SB2C-5 Variant)

Rol: Carrier-based Scout Bomber / Dive Bomber.
Power Plant: One Wright R-2600-20 ‘Twin Cyclone’ radial engine, delivering 1,900 hp.
Bemanning: Two (Pilot and Radio Operator/Gunner).
Max Speed: Approximately 295 mph (475 km/h).
Armament (Fixed): Twee 20 mm M2 cannons in the wings.
Armament (Flexible): Two .30 cal M1919 Browning machine guns in the rear cockpit.
Ordnance: Tot 2,000 lbs (907 kg) of bombs in an internal bomb bay or one Mark 13 torpedo (partially external), plus HVAR rockets or bombs on underwing hardpoints.
Key Improvement: The -5 variant notably featured verhoogde brandstofcapaciteit, extending its operational range.

Design and Operational History

The Helldiver’s development was protracted and plagued with issues, leading to its unflattering nicknames like the “Beast” or “Son of a Bitch Second Class.” The Navy’s requirement for a large aircraft with a substantial internal payload that could still fit two-abreast on carrier elevators forced Curtiss into a short-coupled design, which initially resulted in poor stability and difficult low-speed handling, especially during carrier landings.

However, once introduced, the later variants (like the SB2C-3, -4, and -5) became effective warplanes. They played a critical role in the major battles of the Pacific, including the Marianas, Leyte Gulf, and Okinawa, where their heavy bomb load and accurate diving attack contributed to the sinking of numerous Japanese warships.

Historical Impact: By the end of WWII, the Curtiss SB2C Helldiver was responsible for sinking more Japanese shipping tonnage via dive bombing than any other Allied aircraft type. It was also the last dedicated dive bomber produced for the U.S. Navy, as the role was increasingly taken over by more versatile fighter-bombers equipped with rockets and bombs.