Curtiss SBC-4 Helldiver
Curtiss · United States · first flew 1935 · bomber
The Curtiss SBC-4 Helldiver was the last combat biplane to serve with the United States Navy, a scout-bomber that bridged the gap between fabric-covered biplanes and the all-metal monoplanes that replaced it.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, nose-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | internal bomb bay under the fuselage between the wheel spats |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- single-engine biplane dive bomber with radial engine and spatted fixed undercarriage
- internal bomb bay under the fuselage between the wheel spats
- two open cockpits in tandem with rear gunner's ring mount
A biplane scout-bomber with fixed spatted undercarriage, a large radial engine, and two tandem open cockpits; the perforated dive flaps under the lower wing and fixed undercarriage distinguish it from contemporary fighters.
Specifications
- The Curtiss SBC-4 Helldiver has a length of 8.57 m (28 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 10.36 m (34 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 378 km/h (235 mph).
- Typical crew: 2.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Developed from the XF12C fighter, the SBC evolved through several prototypes before entering Navy service in 1937. The SBC-4 was powered by the Wright R-1820 Cyclone and remained in front-line service until 1941, though obsolescence was apparent well before Pearl Harbor. A small number reached France and Britain on Lend-Lease but saw no combat.
Variants
The SBC-3 used the Pratt & Whitney R-1535 engine; the SBC-4 switched to the more powerful Wright Cyclone. An export variant designated Cleveland was supplied to France, with surviving aircraft transferred to Britain as Clevelands.
Where you'll see it
US Navy SBC-4s equipped carrier bombing squadrons through the late 1930s and served from shore bases in the early months of America's war; the type was quickly withdrawn as the Douglas SBD Dauntless proved superior in every respect.
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