SB2C-5 Helldiver

The Curtiss‑Wright SB2C‑5 Helldiver was the final and most refined version of the Navy’s carrier‑based dive bomber that entered service in late 1944. Developed from the problematic SB2C‑1, the Helldiver overcame early reliability issues through a strengthened airframe, a more powerful Wright R-2600‑20 radial engine delivering 1,900 hp, and upgraded hydraulic systems. The -5 model incorporated a larger 2,000‑pound bomb capacity, an expanded fuel capacity of 673 gallons, and a reinforced under‑carriage to accommodate heavier ordnance, while retaining the distinctive sleek, low‑wing silhouette and large, split flaps that enabled steep, accurate dives. Its cockpit featured improved visibility and a revised radio suite, and the aircraft carried an array of defensive armament, including twin 20 mm cannon in the wings and a forward‑firing .50‑caliber machine gun.

Operationally, the SB2C‑5 saw action in the closing stages of World War II, providing close‑air support during the Battle of Okinawa and the final strikes against the Japanese home islands. Though initially criticized for its handling, the Helldiver’s robust construction and payload capacity made it a valuable asset for carrier groups, influencing post‑war naval bomber design and cementing its place in aviation history as the last true dive bomber of the United States Navy.

Curtiss-Wright

Classification

Production & History

Design & Classification