SBW-4E Helldiver

The SBW‑4E Helldiver was a Canadian‑built version of the Douglas SBD‑5 dive bomber, produced under licence by Canadian Car and Foundry (CC&F) in 1943‑45. CC&F assembled 254 airframes for the Royal Canadian Air Force and the British Fleet Air Arm. Powered by a 1,200 hp Wright R‑1820‑94 Cyclone radial engine, the aircraft reached 415 km/h and carried a 500‑lb bomb, twin 250‑lb bombs, or a torpedo. Its hallmark perforated split‑flaps and fixed under‑wing dive brakes allowed steep, accurate bombing attacks. The robust airframe and forgiving handling made it a popular trainer for carrier qualification after the war. SBW‑4E units served with RCAF 816 and 825 Squadrons in the Battle of the Atlantic and in strikes over occupied Europe. The type was withdrawn from front‑line service by 1946, many airframes becoming target tugs or civilian aircraft. Although quickly superseded by faster monoplanes, the SBW‑4E demonstrated Canada’s ability to produce front‑line combat aircraft and left a legacy displayed in several Canadian museums, highlighting its contribution to naval aviation tactics. Today, the surviving examples serve as a reminder of Canada’s vital wartime manufacturing effort and the evolution of carrier‑based strike aircraft.