I know that the SB2C Helldiver had a bad reputation during the war, but have discovered that a model version flies quite well. A few years back I started building the 100" Jerry Bates Helldiver, and it's now well into it's second season and has completed 21 flights. I knew a couple other were building Helldivers around the same time, but never heard how they came out. I've only seen 2 others. One @ 1/5 scale which the pilot reported was a bit hairy in flight. The other, a 100" identical to mine. Unfortunately it last only about 6 flights. Has anyone else built Helldivers, and what kind of success have you had? The SB2C on Jerry Bates website, has it been flown?

Hi,

I've been thinking about building one myself. How did yours build? It looks great! I was going to go with the JB plans as well.

Thanks,
PJ

great loking helldiver. i love the rarely modeled aircraft. that thing looks real, barry

Mine built very well. Jerry's plans were very good, though I didn't like his linkage set-up on the flaps and dive brakes. I ended up putting seperate servos in for the left and right sides. With full cockpit detailing and 12 servos, finished weigh is about 40# dry. The G-62 pulls around nicely in the air at about 1/2 to 2/3 throtle; though it's a little sluggish on takeoff. I think a 3-bladed prop would help, I just haven't had a chance to try one yet. I used Bob Holmann's laser cut flap kit, and would recomend it if you're going to replicate the perforated flaps. They are very effective in air, but the plane is very stable in a dive with them deployed.

warbird pilot,

You have a VERY nice Helldiver. That boy looks fantastic! Kinda makes me wish I had bought the plans some time ago.

The Helldiver's bad reputation, as I recall, was a reflection of the unreliable flap mechanisms which were electrically driven and malfunctioned frequently. Sometimes only one flap would deploy causing some very interesting changes in roll, picth and yaw which would make an interesting carrier approach or dive attack. Not exactly an endearing feature to a flight crew!

The other complaint regarding the Helldiver was its lack of power. This made take-offs with a full load challenging and a wave-off from a poor landing approach would be particularly risky.

While the SB2C was considered more advanced than the SBD it replaced, many aircrew preferred the Speedy D for its reliablity and stability in the dive which made it a superior bombing platform.

One question I have for you: whose retracts did you use on your Helldiver and how do you like them?

Al

You do know what "SB2C" really stands for?

Sonofa b1tch second class!

We have 2 125 inch SB2C's here in town from enlarged Bates plans. One had many flights, but is now in for restoration and the other has only had one flight thus far, and flew very well. One has Annco gear and the other is using Sierra large scale P-47 gear.

The retracts in mine were homemade by a fellow modeller named Carl Bachhuber (Carlb - RCU name) and have worked absolutely flawless.
rrudytoo - the Helldiver fought many problems over the years it was in service. I do recall reading about all that you mentioned plus many others. The plane was very heavy and that made it tricky to fly. Now complicate that with a mechanical failure or two and it's know wonder it received nicknames like: Sonofa B!@ch 2nd Class, and the Big-Tailed Beast.

Really nice looking model. You can be proud of that one.[sm=thumbup.gif]
I have been thinking about this bird ever since one showed up at the local airshow a couple of years ago. It's on my "someday" list.

The Helldiver offers many advantages for a scale RC airplane. First off, most any Navy design will offer excellent slow-speed flight, lots of wing area for stability, a round cowl to hide most any engine and that wide track gear is a godsend. Add to that the fact that they're not commonly seen and you have a winner! That full scale is a beauty.

Al

My old family doctor (now deceased) flew both Helldivers and SBD's. He flew the SBD off of the Yorktown.....I talked with him at length in his later years about his experiences with these aircraft and learned quite a bit. He still complained bitterly....even with all the years gone by, about the friends he lost in the Helldiver due to wing failures. He had many "not so kind" words to describe it. On the other hand, he loved the SBD......saying it was the most honest and dependable aircraft the Navy had at the time, even though it was considered obsolete.

I wish I had talked with him more about his experiences. If you have a chance to talk with some of these guys, DO IT NOW!!! Don't wait and do it "later".

Jeff

I am lucky enough to have a member of our club who worked the deck on a carrier that was assigned Helldivers. I believe the exact words to me was this:
"It's great to see a model of a very rare and unique airplane, especially done as well as yours. But why did you have to pick this son-of-a-b!*ch!!" He went on to tell me all about watching pilots slam these plane onto the decks, and off the edge, etc. But also provided me with some awesome 1940's era pictures from the carriers that he had collected while stationed there. Jeff is right. These veterans are great to talk to, and we need to while they're still around. Not only for our own knowledge and benefit, but so we can pass their stories on.

The pix in one of the posts is of the CAF's SB2C...I have spent some time with the airplane and with one of the pilots who flew it extensively about five years ago. Also spent time with quite a few vets who flew it during the war. Best thing that any of the vets said about it: "It had a Curtiss engine, Curtiss electric prop, and it was built by Curtiss: That's three strikes against it right there!" The CAF's version is a bit lighter and doesn't have the electric prop, but is still a maintenance-intensive airplane with relatively unpleasant flight characteristics.
Old Shep

Tony,
I was glad to see you Sat at the Warbirds over Dane event. And to see you fly the SB2C. After seeing it at 2 mall shows, it now flies very well and well behaved and reliable.
Tom

I am trying to determine whether the SB2C-4 Helldiver had constant or blinking navigation lights. Any help would be appreciated.