Curtiss SBC Helldiver

---

The SBC Helldiver was the last combat biplane to be produced by the United States. This dive bomber entered service in 1937 and still flew with front-line units at the beginning of the war, although it was withdrawn soon afterwards. It was replaced by the Douglas SBD Dauntless, which in turn was replaced by another (later) Curtiss Helldiver.

Click here to see a book on this aircraft on Amazon.com
Additional information on this aircraft can be found at Wikipedia here.
(updated February 2009)
 

Curtiss SBC Helldiver

Type:		two-seat carrier-based scout bomber

Crew:		2: Pilot, Gunner

Armament: 	one .30 cal forward firing machine gun

		one .30 cal machine gun in rear cockpit

		one 500 lb. or 1000 lb. bomb



Specifications:

	Length:        	28' 4" (8.64 m)

	Height:        	12' 7" (3.84 m)

	Wingspan:      	34' 0" (10.36 m)

	Wing area:	317 sq. ft (29.45 sq. m)

	Empty Weight:  	4841 lb (2196 kg)

	Max Weight: 	7632 lb (3462 kg) max at takeoff



Propulsion:

	No. of Engines:	1

	Powerplant:    	Wright R-1820-34 Cyclone radial

	Horsepower:	950 hp



Performance:

	Range:		590 miles (950 km) w/ 500 lb. bomb load

	Cruise Speed:   127 mph ( 204 km/h)

	Max Speed:      237 mph ( 381 km/h) at 15,200 ft

	Ceiling:       	27,300 ft (8320 m)

(go to Curtiss page)

If this page does not have a navigational frame on the left, click HERE to see the rest of the website.