Diecast Aircraft Information

MetalWings Diecast Aircraft Reference by Dauntless Aviation

Hobby Master 1/72 Air Power Series
HA2207
SB2C-4 Helldiver VB-83, USS Essex
"White 207", April 1 1945

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
rather poor handling characteristics. Even with new variants and upgrades the Helldiver
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.

In early 1945 USS Essex and her aircraft became part of Operation Iceberg, the
invasion of Okinawa. The battle lasted a total of 82 days from April 1, 1945 until June
22, 1945. VB-83 Helldivers and VT-83 Avengers were tasked with shipping strikes, anti-
submarine patrols and ground support of troops. On April 5, 1945 VB-83 Helldivers and
VT-83 Avengers were heavily involved in sinking one of the two largest battleships in
the world, Yamato.

Specifications for the Curtiss SB2C-4 Helldiver

First flight – 18/12/1940

Crew – 2 X Pilot and Radio Operator/Gunner

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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