Curtiss SB2C Helldiver

Auteurs

Peter C. Smith

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Banking on its successful series of pre -- World War II Helldiver biplanes, Curtiss introduced a prototype of its first monoplane dive-bomber in 1940 -- the SB2C Helldiver. When serious design flaws sent the SB2C back to the drawing board, it took Curtiss two years to roll out the first production model. Neither pilots nor carrier skippers took a shine to the plane, however, and it earned the nickname "The Beast". After investigating Helldiver production, the Truman Committee turned in a scathing report. This history of the infamous Helldiver examines the design and evolution of the divebomber, as well as its failure as both a prototype and actual combat aircraft. A collection of 200 rare black-and-white photographs help chronicle the plane that signalled the beginning of the end for Curtiss.