AWESOME "When Hell Freezes Over!" Groupbuild...

Reasoned

I have the 1/48 AM SB2C in the stash and must say that it is one of the uglier planes in there.

...yes...

I have the 1/48 AM SB2C in the stash and must say that it is one of the uglier planes in there.

Mikeym_us

But can it shoot down a Zero?

 Quote from acepilots.com:
Helldivers claimed 44 air-to-air kills, the leading SB2C pilot in this regard was Lt. Robert "Zekie" Parker, later killed by a kamikaze attack. Seventeen SB2C's were downed by enemy fighters.
Also:
All that being said, the Helldiver was delivered in large numbers (7,140), equipped many US Navy squadrons, and inflicted a lot of damage on the enemy. It was responsible for more shipping kills than any other aircraft.

Bob barnes, a Helldiver pilot during WWII

I really feel that some websites and Mr. Tillman's book were unjustly critical of the Helldiver. Apparently the early SB2C-1's, as the first built, had their problems and probably as a result I think there was a reluctance of some of the commanders to accept the Helldiver as a replacement for the reliable SBD Dauntless. The SB2C-3's that came out were much improved. From my experience it was a great dive bomber. It was faster than the SBD, easily carried 1000 lb bombs, could carry drop fuel tanks for long range missions. On one mission they needed more fighters to strafe an airfield, so they hung two pods of dual 50 cal machine guns under the wings. These were in addition to the two 20mm cannons and the 500 lb bomb already on our Helldivers. It was a very versatile aircraft.

so yes, it can shoot down a zero and even do a lot more than that.
With regards, Ninetalis.

But can it shoot down a Zero?

Ninetalis

It could carry a bigger bomb load with a larger action radius.
It was also faster and, in my eyes, way more beautifull.

Quote from acepilots.com:

Tough to fly, poorly designed, and delivered too slowly, the early models of the Curtiss SB2C would have come somewhere near the top of most lists of "Worst Aircraft of World War Two." Of course, that judgement is no reflection on the crews who had to fly "The Beast," who were as brave, skilled, and resourceful as any other pilots - perhaps more so!

But since its "teething" came under the scrutiny of wartime, some of the initial deficiencies, were compared to it predecessor, the SBD. Among these criticisms were:

• "weak structure"
• "poor handling"
• "inadequate stability"
• "unacceptable stall characteristics"
• "severe buffeting in dives"
• "sluggish ailerons"

The later models corrected these items which improved its handling, strengthened the structure, larger tail and automatic slots remedied the stall characteristics. Despite its size, the SB2C was much faster than the SBD it replaced. It could keep up with the cruise speed of the fighters. It also had substantially increased range over its predecessor. Unlike the SBD, the SB2C also had the added advantage of having folding wings and twin 20mm cannons. Although production problems persisted throughout its initial combat service, pilots soon changed their minds about the potency of the Helldiver.

 

I'm really annoyed by the fact that almost nobody wants to do any research about this plane, because of it well known first failures, because it actually is a great plane, used by other countries after the war, and even by the US during the Korean war.

If a plane would of been that bad as they say on most sites, they wouldn't of used it at all after the war.

Here's a little something something I made for school about the Helldiver,
I really need some of these in 1/48, but Europe isn't great for finding Helldivers...
With regards, Ninetalis.

Just ordered one from Sprue Bros...should compliment my new 72nd Dragon Wings Val...

MikeyM:
It could carry a bigger bomb load with a larger action radius.
It was also faster and, in my eyes, way more beautifull.

Quote from acepilots.com

Tough to fly, poorly designed, and delivered too slowly, the early models of the Curtiss SB2C would have come somewhere near the top of most lists of "Worst Aircraft of World War Two." Of course, that judgement is no reflection on the crews who had to fly "The Beast," who were as brave, skilled, and resourceful as any other pilots - perhaps more so!

But since its "teething" came under the scrutiny of wartime, some of the initial deficiencies, were compared to it predecessor, the SBD. Among these criticisms were:

• "weak structure"
• "poor handling"
• "inadequate stability"
• "unacceptable stall characteristics"
• "severe buffeting in dives"
• "sluggish ailerons"

The later models corrected these items which improved its handling, strengthened the structure, larger tail and automatic slots remedied the stall characteristics. Despite its size, the SB2C was much faster than the SBD it replaced. It could keep up with the cruise speed of the fighters. It also had substantially increased range over its predecessor. Unlike the SBD, the SB2C also had the added advantage of having folding wings and twin 20mm cannons. Although production problems persisted throughout its initial combat service, pilots soon changed their minds about the potency of the Helldiver.

I'm really annoyed by the fact that almost nobody wants to do any research about this plane, because of it well known first failures, because it actually is a great plane, used by other countries after the war, and even by the US during the Korean war.

If a plane would of been that bad as they say on most sites, they wouldn't of used it at all after the war.

Doogs:
They're about the same size, with the Helldiver being slightly bigger,
SBD Dauntless:

    Length: 33 ft 1¼ in (10.09 m)
    Wingspan: 41 ft 6⅜ in (12.66 m)
    Height: 13 ft 7 in (4.14 m)
    Wing area: 325 ft² (30.19 m²)
    Maximum speed: 255 mph (222 knots, 410 km/h) at 14,000 ft (4,265 m)
    Cruise speed: 185 mph (161 knots, 298 km/h)
    Range: 1,115 mi (970 nmi, 1,795 km)
    Service ceiling: 25,530 ft (7,780 m)
    Rate of climb: 1,700 ft/min (8.6 m/s)

SB2C Helldiver:

    Length: 36 ft 8 in (11.18 m)
    Wingspan: 49 ft 9 in (15.17 m)
    Height: 13 ft 2 in (4.01 m)
    Wing area: 422 ft² (39.2 m²)
    Maximum speed: 295 mph (257 knots, 475 km/h) at 16,700 ft (5,090 m)
    Cruise speed: 158 mph (137 knots, 254 km/h)
    Range: 1,165 mi (1,013 nmi, 1,876 km) with 1,000 lb (450 kg) bombload
    Service ceiling: 29,100 ft (8,870 m)
    Rate of climb: 1,800 ft/min (9.1 m/s)

(Source: Wikipedia)

Here's a little something something I made for school about the Helldiver,
I really need some of these in 1/48, but Europe isn't great for finding Helldivers...

With regards, Ninetalis.

That reminds me why did the Navy switch over from the Dauntless to the Helldiver anyways? The Dauntless was more reliable than the Helldiver.

DoogsATX

So is the 1/72 Helldiver the same size as a 1/48 Dauntless?

So is the 1/72 Helldiver the same size as a 1/48 Dauntless?

Another tiny folder!!! Awesome. Have to start saving the pennies.

Features:
- Newly designed SB2C-4 Helldiver authentically presented
- Folding-wing mechanism rendered w/fine detail
- Wings can be assembled extended/folded
- Delicate propeller reproduced
- Realistic engine exhibits delicate detail
- Intricate arrester hook molded on SB2C-4
- Detailed cockpit canopy made from crystal-clear parts
- Cockpit interior details including pilot's seat and control panel
- Seats can be folded up/down
- Delicate details molded on wings
- Landing gear realistically produced
- Authentic-looking MGs
- Detailed struts installed inside landing-gear compartment
- Cockpit interior forms separate drop-in assembly
- Two 5,000lb bombs included

Cyber-Hobby has added an exciting 1/72 scale model kit to its Golden Wings series. The new item depicts a Curtiss SB2C Helldiver, a carrier-based dive-bomber widely used by the US Navy (USN) during WWII. The twin-seat SB2C was roundly criticized for its handling characteristics, range and reliability, but nevertheless it achieved good results in combat after improvements were made during the course of production. It participated in such battles as Rabaul, the Marianas, the Philippines, Taiwan, Iwo Jima, the Ryuku Islands and Okinawa. One of its strengths was the ability to carry a significant amount of munitions, plus it featured an internal bomb bay. Some 7,140 Helldivers were manufactured, but the variant portrayed in this kit is the SB2C-4, numerically the most common type. Introduced in mid-1944, the SB2C-4 incorporated perforated dive flaps and wing racks for eight 5-inch rockets or 1,000lb bombs. More than 2,000 SB2C-4 Helldivers were produced by Curtiss, and it was more successful than earlier variants.

This is in fact the very first 1/72 scale item in Cyber-Hobby’s refined Wing-Tech series, and it broadens the scope of successful 1/32 and 1/48 items already available. As such, the SB2C-4 employs high-tech innovations and widely uses slide molds. This enables excellent levels of detail and easy construction. Panel lines are sharply etched into the plastic components. Furthermore, as a carrier-based aircraft, modelers can choose to show the wings folded or extended according to their preference, plus the landing gear can be displayed either lowered or raised. The cockpit is full of detail as well, all of which can be shown to fullest extent if the canopy is left open. The Helldiver was the last dive-bomber operated by the USN, but it was also the most widely produced in history. Now, thanks to Cyber-Hobby, modelers can get a slice of Pacific war action!