Diecast Aircraft Information

MetalWings Diecast Aircraft Reference by Dauntless Aviation

Hobby Master 1/72Air Power Series
HA2206
SB2C-4E Helldiver Black 47, ASW aircraft
VS-31 "Topcats" NAS Atlantic City, New Jersey

1/72 scale pre-finished.

Die-cast metal with a minimum of plastic.

Professionally painted.

All markings pad applied for superb results.

Interchangeable canopies.

Crew figures.

Comes with display stand.

Landing gear can be displayed up or down.

Comes with missiles.

Photo-etched dive brakes.

Extremely sought after by collectors.

The SB2C Helldiver was commonly referred to as “The Beast” because of its size and
never received the credit and respect it deserved. The most produced variant was the
“4” with the SB2C-4E equipped with an AN/APS-4 radar pod mounted under the
starboard wing for air search. It flew faster and further than the Avenger, except for
range it beat the SBD in every category. Its cruising speed was only 2 mph slower than
the famous Hellcat.

Originally designated Scouting Squadron 31 they served meritoriously in the North
Atlantic from 1942 until the end of WWII in 1945. Then the squadron was
decommissioned until April 1948 they were re-established at NAS Atlantic City, New
Jersey as Composite Squadron, VC-31. In 1949 they were re-designated the Atlantic
Fleet’s first VS Squadron, VS-31. VS-31 was an Air Anti-Submarine Squadron and took
the name “Topcats”. Shortly after this they were moved to NAS Quonset Point, Rhode
Island.

      Specifications for the Curtiss SB2C-4E Helldiver

First flight – 18/12/1940

Crew – 2 X Pilot and Radio Operator/Gunner

Special Equipment – 1 X AN/APS-4 radar housed in a pod under the right wing.

Dimensions
Length – 36.7ft   (11.18m)
Wingspan – 49.7ft   (15.16m)
Height – 13.2ft   (4.01m)

Performance
Engine – 1 X Wright R-2600-2- Cyclone / 1900hp   (1,417kW)
Speed – Cruise / 158mph   (254km/h)   (137kts)
Maximum Speed – 295mph   (475km/h)   (256kts)
Rate Of Climb – 1,800ft/min   (548m/min)
Service Ceiling – 29,100ft   (8,869m)
Range – 1,165miles   (1,876km)

Weight
Empty – 1,057lbs   (7535kg)
Maximum Take Off – 16,616lbs   (7,537kg)

Armament
2 X 20mm fixed wing cannon or 4 X 0.50 caliber fixed wing machine guns
2 X 0.30 caliber rear cockpit machine guns or 1 X 0.50 caliber flexible rear cockpit
machine gun
Bomb Load- 1 X torpedo or 1,000 pounds of bombs in the bay or 4 X depth charges
Also capable of carry an additional 1,000 pounds of bombs or 8 X 5inch rockets under
the wings.

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