SBC Helldiver
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| SBC Helldiver | |
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| Type | Dive bomber |
| Manufacturer | Curtiss-Wright |
| Maiden flight | 9 December 1935 |
| Introduced | 1938 |
| Retired | 1943 |
| Primary users | United States Navy United States Marine Corps Royal Air Force Aviation Navale |
| Number built | 257 |
The Curtiss SBC Helldiver was a two-place scout bomber built by the Curtiss-Wright Corporation. It was the last military biplane procured by the U.S. Navy.
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[edit] Design and development
The SBC-3 the inital production model was powered by a radial Pratt & Whitney Twin Wasp Junior R-1535 engine. The SBC-3 began operational service in 1938. Eighty-three SBC-3s were built.
The SBC-4 was powered by a radial Wright R-1820 Cyclone 9 engine. The SBC-4 entered service in 1939.
[edit] Operational history
The Navy took deliveries of the new aircraft in mid-1937 with the first batch of carrier based aircraft going to the USS Yorktown, but time and technology caught up to the advanced biplane. It was relegated to hack duties and service as an advanced trainer for training units in Florida. The last aircraft was stricken from the Navy roster in October 1944.
Foreign interest for the concept of a dive bomber led to orders abroad. One hundred seventy-four SBC-4s were built including 50 SBC-4s that were delivered to the French Navy. Five of the French order were delivered to the British Royal Air Force (as the Curtiss Cleveland Mk.I). The Junkers Ju 87 design was influenced by aircraft such as the SBC Helldiver.
The SBC Helldiver was not destined to have a long US service life, but its impact was felt as the type made a lasting contribution by serving as the key platform in developing dive bombing tactics and honing aircrew skills crucial to winning the war in the Pacific.
[edit] Operators
[edit] Specifications (SBC-4)
General characteristics
- Crew: 2: pilot and gunner
- Length: 28 ft 4 in (8.64 m)
- Wingspan: 34 ft 0 in (10.36 m)
- Height: 12 ft 7 in (3.84 m)
- Wing area: 317 ft² (29.5 m²)
- Empty weight: 4,841 lb (2,196 kg)
- Loaded weight: 7,080 lb (3,211 kg)
- Max takeoff weight: 7,632 lb (3,462 kg)
- Powerplant: 1× Wright R-1820-34 "Cyclone" radial engine, 950 hp (709 kW)
Performance
- Maximum speed: 237 mph (206 knots, 381 km/h)
- Range: 590 mi (510 nm, 950 km)
- Service ceiling 27,300 ft (8,320 m)
- Rate of climb: 1,630 ft/min (8.28 m/s)
Armament
- Guns:
- 1× 0.30 in (7.62 mm) forward-firing M1919 Browning machine gun machine gun
- 1 0.30 in (7.62 mm) flexible rearward-firing machine gun
- Bombs: 1× bomb of up to 1,000 lb (450 kg)
[edit] See also
Related development
Comparable aircraft
Related lists
[edit] References
[edit] Notes
[edit] Bibliography
- Bowers, Peter M. Curtiss Aircraft, 1907-1947. London, UK: Putnam & Company, 1979. ISBN 0-370-10029-8.
- Doll, Thomas E. SBC Helldiver in Action, Aircraft Number 151. Carrollton, TX: Squadron/Signal Publications, Inc., 1995. ISBN 0-89747-331-0.
- Green, William and Swanborough, Gordon. "Uncle Sam's Last Combat Biplane". AirEnthusiast Five, November 1977-February 1978. Bromley, Kent, UK: Pilot Press Ltd., 1977.
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