Curtiss SB2C Helldiver model planes, Curtis Aircraft Company Model Airplanes

Curtiss SB2C Helldiver Model Plane Kits.

A non-flying Helldiver is on display at New York City's Intrepid Sea-Air-Space Museum. The first World War 2 Navy squadron to be equipped with the Helldiver was VS-9 in December, 1942. The SB2C program struggled to stay in the game. Since Curtiss' main plant in Buffalo, NY was dedicated to the P-40, the company opened a new facility in Columbus, Ohio, just for the Helldiver alone. Curtiss also arrange for two Canadian companies to build the plane. The first "production" Helldivers rolled off the line in June of 1942. The changes that were made from the original prototype was a larger tail, self-sealing tanks, plus more guns, including a few more things that increased the weight of the plane from 7,122 lbs. to 10,220 lbs. The Helldiver had many drawbacks which included a weak airframe structure, poor handling, inadequate stability, unacceptable stall characteristics, severe buffeting in dives, sluggish ailerons, violent changes in trim, and strong forces required to handle the stick in flight. The SB2C Helldiver used a Wright R-2600-B engine.

*Curtiss SB2C Helldiver Model Plane Kits* All prices are subject to change without notice, click on item for the latest price.
	SB2C-4 Helldiver 1/32 Model Pre Built Mahogany Model Airplanes. Made of Philippine mahogany, this 1/32 scale model measures 14" in length and has a wingspan of 18 ½". Hand painted and detailed, model comes ready to display on the included mahogany base. .....#0009318 $169.00
	SB2C Helldiver Balsa Wood Kit Balsa Wood Airplane Model Kit. 1/23 scale balsa wood kit has a 23" wingspan when completed. Suitable for display or rubber-powered flight; assembly required. Great for kid crafts. ....#0008838 $18.95

*SB2C Helldiver Aviation Prints*
	Curtiss SB2C Helldiver Tony Weddel. This painting shows a Helldiver pilot from the "USS Hancock" on the day after the Battle of Leyte Gulf (October 26th, 1944), as he dives on one of the fleeing remnants from Admiral Ozawa's shattered fleet. Four Japanese carriers, a cruiser, and a number of destroyers were sunk during this battle. 23"x 19" print. .....#0008520 $19.95
	Big Tailed Beasts Stan Stokes. Here is Lt. Paul Brehm in his Curtiss SB2C Helldiver attacking the "Hyuga," a WWI Japanese battleship that had been converted to part seaplane tender. 16"x 11½" signed and numbered limited edition print. .....#0007860 $39.95
	Harold Buell / SB2C Helldiver Ernie Boyette. Signed by Commander Buell, pilot of this SB2C Helldiver and leader of "Buell and Company," this limited edition print features a wonderful depiction of the Helldiver and also documents Buell's amazing wartime exploits, including his receipt of 20 decorations including the Navy Cross, Silver Star, three Distinguished Flying Crosses and more. Print measures 18"x 12" and is also signed by the artist. .....#0007067 $59.95
	Too Close for Comfort Aviation Art Print Tom W. Freeman. On October 25, 1944, at the Battle of Leyte Gulf - one of the greatest of all naval battles - a Helldiver piloted by (then) LTJG Donald D. Engen attacks the Japanese aircraft carrier, Zuikaku. 27½"x 22" limited edition print is signed and numbered by the artist and Vice Admiral Engen, USN (Ret.), who also served as the Director of the National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution. #0070162 Price: $149.00
	Helldiver Units of World War 2. Paperback Book. No Longer Available Book Description The most numerous Allied dive-bomber of World War 2, the Curtiss Helldiver endured a prolonged gestation period to mature into one of the most effective aircraft of its type to see service in the Pacific theatre of war. Some 7200 aircraft were built between 1942 and 1945, the type making its service debut over Rabaul on 11 November 1943 in the hands of VB-17, this unit flying SB2C-1Cs from the deck of USS Bunker Hill. Although hated by the myriad crews sent into combat strapped to a Helldiver, the bomber was responsible for the destruction of more Japanese targets than any other dive-bomber. From the Publisher Osprey's Combat series combines the best archival photography available with specially commissioned artworks and first hand accounts, making these books favorites amongst historians, modelers and aviation enthusiasts everywhere.

Helldiver Variations	Key Modifications	Dates	Number Curtiss SB2C-	Number Fairchild SBF	Number C.C.F. SBW-	TOTAL Produced
XSB2C-1	R-2600-8 engine, 3-bladed prop, two cowling guns.	first flight 12-40	-	-	-	-
SB2C-1	Larger fin & rudder, more fuel capacity, Four wing-mounted .50 cal. guns.	first flight 06-42	200	50	66	316
A25-A	Army version, without carrier gear. Incl. 410 SB2C-1A issued to the USMC.	-	900	-	-	900
SB2C-1C	Two 20mm cannon, first to fly in combat. Ability to carry a torpedo. Replacement of wing guns with two 20mm cannon. Auxiliary gas tanks (45 gal.) in the wings	Rabaul 11-43	778	-	-	778
XSB2C-2	Float plane experiment.	-	-	-	-	-
SB2C-3	Dash-20 engine, 4-bladed prop, SB2C-3E. Max speed 293 MPH.	Early 1944	1,112	150	413	1,675
SB2C-4	Perforated dive flaps, extra wing fittings. SB2C-4E.	Mid 1944	2,045	100	270	2,415
SB2C-5	Slightly more fuel capacity.	Delivered Feb. 1945	970	-	86	1,056
SB2C-6	Dash-28 engine, longer fuselage.	Cancelled, none built	0	-	-	0
SB2C Helldivers Produced TOTAL	6,005	300	835	7,140
Lieutenant Commander James Vose's VB-17, operating with Bunker Hill, was the first squadron to successfully operate the SB2C.

Helldiver Variations

Key Modifications

Dates

Number Curtiss
SB2C-

Number Fairchild SBF

Number C.C.F.
SBW-

TOTAL Produced

XSB2C-1

R-2600-8 engine, 3-bladed prop, two cowling guns.

first flight 12-40

SB2C-1

Larger fin & rudder, more fuel capacity, Four wing-mounted .50 cal. guns.

first flight 06-42

200

316

A25-A

Army version, without carrier gear. Incl. 410 SB2C-1A issued to the USMC.

900

SB2C-1C

Two 20mm cannon, first to fly in combat. Ability to carry a torpedo. Replacement of wing guns with two 20mm cannon. Auxiliary gas tanks (45 gal.) in the wings

Rabaul 11-43

778

XSB2C-2

Float plane experiment.

SB2C-3

Dash-20 engine, 4-bladed prop, SB2C-3E. Max speed 293 MPH.

Early 1944

1,112

150

413

1,675

SB2C-4

Perforated dive flaps, extra wing fittings. SB2C-4E.

Mid 1944

2,045

100

270

2,415

SB2C-5

Slightly more fuel capacity.

Delivered Feb. 1945

970

1,056

SB2C-6

Dash-28 engine, longer fuselage.

Cancelled, none built

SB2C Helldivers Produced TOTAL

6,005

300

835

7,140

Lieutenant Commander James Vose's VB-17, operating with Bunker Hill, was the first squadron to successfully operate the SB2C.

Curtiss SB2C Helldiver World War 2 Model Plane Kits.

Curtiss SB2C Helldiver Model Plane Kits.

Curtiss SB2C Helldiver Model Plane Kits

SB2C Helldiver Aviation Prints