Curtiss SB2C Helldiver

[daveblevins]

My Dad was mostly on destroyers in WWII as a gunner, but he was inspired by these aviators to learn to fly. So he hitched a few rides on pby's, and eventually got his private pilot license in the Philippines. Then in the early 60's got his commercial rating and rotorcraft rating. He owned his own business as a helicopter ag pilot, and retired from flying in 1972. He went to work at a hardware store after that. Pretty amazing he achieved all that wit a 9th grade education. I love you Dad, and I miss you ❤️😢 RIP. See you later 🙏👍🇺🇸

[chrissakal]

I wish the Helldiver pilots and radiomen would get more of the credit that they deserve.

[tomelmore]

My pop was a USN Helldiver radioman. He would laugh at the bad press - which continues to be hurled at this airplane to this day. It was a nearly impossible ship built to a ridiculous set of design standards and required a lot of teething. Compared to Avengers and Dauntlesses, it was HUGE - with fuel and armament capacities to match - and yet it had to operate from the same relatively small carrier decks, launching without deck-catapult assistance. Although late to the theater, the Helldivers quickly racked up more Japanese shipping tonnage than any other type. They represented a significant advance in piston-driven attack weaponry. Latter day criticism, let alone ignorant dismissal, of the SB2C is completely absurd - and inevitably the arm-chair quarterbacks will also rain their yap on the P-40 and C-46 as well - both not only successful aircraft, but in the case of the faithful old P-40, the BEST, most reliable and predictably-combat-ready pursuit plane fielded by the US military at the outset of the war. As my Navy dad - who often worked on the Army Tomahawks at stateside Curtiss-Wright installations - would say about it, "The P-40 was a great airplane and we were lucky to have it. Not a hangar queen like the P-38 always requiring more maintenance...."

It's always fascinating to watch the "piling-on syndrome" so common on YouTube comment threads...

[Southwest_WR]

The SB2-C has a great memorie for me and my "preteen " model building days.
I had the model with retractable gear, folding wings, sliding canopy.( I THINK it was a ""REVELL"" kit.)
We had a neighborhhod drunk that my Mom would give plates of food to when he couldn't make it home and would stop by to chill before STAGGERING on home down the block.
Anyway, he liked my models, but one Sunday in July, Ill never forget it, it was hot as "All b goddamn" and i had just finished my model and he came by.
I had it out on front porch ledge to let paint dry, and I swear, to this day, that man sobered up and CRIED.
Right then snd there.
After he composed Hiself, he told me he had actualy main tained THAT particular PLANE IN THE WAR! He recognized by decal markings, and paint scheme, said I had it down to a TEE.
That's when i first heard nsme;"Ess Bee Deuce E".
He says she was a bitch, but he loved the challenge and his particular one was still flying when he was discharged.
Like I said, he was the area drunk, but after that day, I had new respect for his past, and I saw him in new eyes and I NEVER saw him drunk again.
I was his "Buddy Boy" after that.
I was about 13, at the time.
We moved from area week I was 17, and last i heard he past on as deacon in church.
MR.ALBERT ROSE, R.I.P. my freind, your memories still linger in me. 👍🏿

[peterrollinson-lorimer]

I have a soft spot for this much-maligned beast, my cousin test flew them at the factory in Sault Ste. Marie Ontario, Fort William in those days. He was the mildest mannered man ever, but once he got into a Helldiver he turned maniac and flew the living crap out of it. He liked to take folks for a ride - 100% record of them losing their lunch.

[Kevin_]

I really enjoyed seeing this aircraft in person. Part of our history that is only remembered by a few. My dad flew Avengers in the pacific so dive bombers are my favorite.

[jordanvraptor]

My uncle Robert was a radioman/gunner on the Helldiver. He and his pilot were shot down and KIA in the Battle of the Philippine Sea. My dad kept the telegram which said the aircraft was attacked by a Japanese fighter and seen going down trailing smoke. They were never recovered.

[jamest]

sweet! my dad was an aviation radioman in sbds and sb2cs and fought in all the major engagements of the pacific war..he won 3 air medals and a dfc...he was a really good shot and i never could best him on the skeet range lol

[lesliecouey]

This is always an impressive plane to see fly, the size and scope is just amazing. one of my favorites.

[dragonmeddler]

Beautifully restored Helldiver. All the old WWII photos I've seen of these airplanes, they always look like crap. But then, the crew were probably busy doing more important things than washing the birds.

[stevehammond]

My ex-wife had a second cousin who flew them after flying Dauntlesses. He HATED them. They were sluggish, had very high stick forces and were hard to bring aboard. He always said if the Japs didn't kill him that airplane would. He managed to survive both fortunately.

[TrainBoi]

I know the Helldiver had problems when compared to the Avenger and Dauntless but something about the larger tail makes me like it's appearance more than the SBD

[seavee]

Beautiful-imagine a deck full of these starting up ready for an op.

[jibeco]

What a Bird. I'm WW2 Planes buff. Thanks a lot.

[Kichuiduoduma]

Fortunatly, this bloody Cesna did'nt ruin that noble noise !

[outfield]

Man so huge compared to the SBD. Awesome video and aircraft

[SPak-rtgb]

That start up reminded me of the movie The Flight Of The Phoenix
go go go go!

[randlerobbertson]

very impressive . dog of an aeroplane but amazing to see

[yourgrandmasalzheimerpills]

What this was at the caf at Atlanta regional airport! I didn’t even know she came in for a visit

[nicholasroberts]

No independent trolley accumulator/generator for these old types ?
Isn't this making a rod for the pilots back ? Surely a trolley acc would help maintain the voltage. When the engine is cranked, the first thing to drop is voltage due to the current draw. And if the voltage drops magnetos don't experience enough potential difference to generate a decent spark at the plugs. Hence the interminable fluffing on engine start.