Curtiss SB2C-4 “Helldiver” – the US diving bomber

Curtiss SB2C “Helldiver” – the American low-wing diving bomber of World War II. The first prototype flight took place in 1940; serial production took place in 1943–1945. The SB2C-4 version is equipped with one 1900 h. p. Wright R-2600-20 engine. The maximum speed was 475 km/h. The fixed armament consisted of two 20 mm AN/M2 cannons and two 7.62 mm “Browning” machine guns. The bomber could also carry a bomb of up to 1400 kilograms or a Mark 13-2 torpedo. The Curtiss SB2C “Helldiver” was designed and produced in series as a replacement for the successful Douglas SBD “Dauntless” aircraft. Compared to its predecessor, the machine was significantly larger, heavier, operated at a shorter range and was much more demanding on pilots. However, this was compensated by an extremely high - for this class of machines - maximum and climb speed. Over time, the Curtiss SB2C “Helldiver” gained a very good reputation among the crews, flying it. During production, several versions of this aircraft were created, including: SB2C-1 (the first serial version, armed with 4 Х 12.7 mm MG and one 7.62 mm MG), SB2C-3 (version with a new engine and propeller), SB2C-4 (larger capacity version) and SB2C-5 (version with increased fuel tanks). Machines of this type were used very intensively during the war in the Pacific Ocean in 1943-1945. They participated in the Battle of the Philippine Sea (1944), the Battle of Leyte Bay (1944), the battles of Iwo Jima and Okinawa (1945). After the end of World War II, many aircraft of this type were transferred to Greece, France or Italy.

A complex, well-designed and excellently detailed model, that will suit only medium-experienced and experienced modelers. The engine, chassis, its niches, cabin equipment, external detailing, armament, several bomb variants are available. It is possible to make folding air brakes and panels, even the internal details of which are given. There is a considerable supply of colors. The textual instruction is medium in size, but quite detailed, the graphical one is large in size, detailed, informative and easy to read.