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.

On January 21, 1945 USS Ticonderoga aircraft accompanied by other units, attacked
Taiwan, Pescadores and Sakishima Gunto where USS Ticonderoga was badly
damaged by two Japanese Kamikaze aircraft and returned to port for repairs. In May
1945 the aircraft carrier along with VB-87 returned to join the battle and on May 17,
1945 VB-87 and other squadrons struck the Marshall Islands. From May 28 until May
31, 1945 USS Ticonderoga’s aircraft took part in raids on Okinawa and the other Ryuku
Islands. VB-87 was assigned to Ticonderoga from early May – September 1945.

  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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