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| Type: Carrier based dive bomber Origin: Curtis Crew: 2 Models: SB2C-1 to SB2C-5 First Flight: XSB2-C-1: December 18, 1940 Service Delivery: June 1942 Final Delivery: 1945 Production: 7,200+ Powerplant: Model: Pratt & Whitney R-1820-40 (G-205A) Cyclone Type: 9-cylinder radial engine Number: One Horsepower: 1,100 hp Dimensions: Wing Span: 15.2m (49 ft. 9 in.) Length: 11.2m (36 ft. 8 in.) Height: 5.1m (16 ft. 11 in.) Wing Area: N/A Weights: Performance: Max. Speed: 452 km/h (281 mph) Initial Climb: N/A Service Ceiling: 7530m (24,700 ft.) Max. Range: 1786 km (1,110 miles) |
Armament: Two 20mm cannon in wings Or Four .50 in. machine guns in wings Two .30 in. or single .50 in. machine guns in rear cockpit Bomb Load: Comments: One of the most successful dive-bombers used by the allies, the Helldiver's development started out rather slow. The US services asked for 880 changes after the design had been accepted for production and to further complicate things the prototype crashed. The changes were necessary to try and standardize the design for all three American services. The type was designated the A-25 Shrike for the Us Army and the Cleveland by the RAF, who used the type briefly. Production was carried out by Curtis, Fairchild (SBF) and the Canadian Car & Foundry (SBW). From 1943 on the Helldiver flew in nearly every major action in the Pacific war. |
