Air Power Series>1:72 die-cast display model>SB2C>HA2209
Curtiss SB2C-4 Helldiver White 15 of VB-12, USS Randolph, Feb 1945
General Background
The SB2C was designed to replace the SBD Dauntless. When the Helldivers were first delivered they were so poorly manufactured that some broke in half on landing and wings fell apart in a dive. Some countries cancelled orders and the USAAF never used the 900 they received. Eventually after over 800 modifications and technical changes the Helldiver went on to become one of the most effective dive-bombers of WWII. Most people referred to the plane as “The Big Tail Beast” or just “The Beast”.
The Aircraft
On February 16-17 1945 Air Group 12 began attacks against mainland Japan. VB-12
with its 22 SB2Cs operating from the USS Randolph was part of the assaults on Tokyo
and surrounding airfields and engine plants. Over the following week strikes would be
made in support of the landing at Iwo Jima and the advance in land. On February 25,
1945 USS Randolph left the area and sailed for Ulithi. VB-12 had one of the most
distinctive aircraft marking schemes in the PTO with the bold white striped tail and white
ailerons as well as the aircraft number being placed just back of the engine cowling.
During this time period a 3-digit aircraft numbering system was in use but VB-12 kept the
2-digit system.
Specifications :
| General data | |
| Manufacturer: | Curtiss-Wright |
| Crew: | 2 X 1 pilot, 1 radio operator/gunner |
| Dimensions | |
| Length: | 36 ft 9 in (11.2 m) |
| Wingspan: | 49 ft 9 in (15.2 m) |
| Height: | 14 ft 9 in (4.5 m) |
| Wing area: | 422 ft² (39.2 m²) |
| Weights | |
| Empty: | 10,114 lb (4,588 kg) |
| Loaded: | 13,674 lb (6,202 kg) |
| Max takeoff: | 16,800 lb (7,600 kg) |
| Performance | |
| Powerplant: | 1× Wright R-2600 Cyclone radial engine, 1,900 hp (1,400 kW) |
| Maximum speed: | 294 mph (473 km/h) |
| Range: | 1,200 miles (1,900 km) |
| Service ceiling: | 25,000 ft (7,600 m) |
| Rate of climb: | 1,750 ft/min (8.9 m/s) |
| Armament: | 2 x .50 cal (20 mm) cannon in each wing |
| 2 x 0.30 in (7.62 mm) machine guns in the rear cockpit | |
| Internal bay - 2,000 lb (900 kg) of bombs or 1x Mark 13-2 torpedo | |
| Hardpoints: 500 lb (225 kg) of bombs each wing |