Fairchild SBF-1 Helldiver

Fairchild · Canada · first flew 1943 · bomber

The Fairchild SBF-1 Helldiver is a Canadian-built production variant of the Curtiss SB2C Helldiver dive-bomber, manufactured by Fairchild Aircraft at Longueuil, Quebec for the Royal Canadian Navy under a wartime licence-production agreement. It is essentially identical to the US-built SB2C-3.

Recognition (WEFT)

W — Wings	Mid-mounted, tapered
E — Engines	1 × piston, nose-mounted
F — Fuselage	11.18 m fuselage
T — Tail	Conventional

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Canadian-built Helldiver variant by Fairchild Canada
Wright R-2600 Cyclone 14 radial, mid-wing carrier dive-bomber
Large perforated dive flaps under wing

Identical to the Curtiss SB2C-3: broad mid-wing monoplane with a large radial engine, perforated dive brakes under the wings, and a distinctive wide-chord fin and rudder.

Specifications

The Fairchild SBF-1 Helldiver has a length of 11.18 m (37 ft).
It has a wingspan of 15.16 m (50 ft).
Its maximum speed is 472 km/h (293 mph).
Typical crew: 2.

Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.

History

To expand Helldiver production for Allied naval needs, Curtiss licensed manufacture to Fairchild Canada and Canadian Car and Foundry. Fairchild's SBF-1 corresponded to the SB2C-3 with a Wright R-2600-20 engine. Canadian-built Helldivers served with the Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm as well as the RCN.

Variants

The SBF series from Fairchild includes the SBF-1, SBF-3, and SBF-4E, each corresponding to a Curtiss production block; Canadian Car and Foundry produced the parallel SBW series.

Where you'll see it

Supplied to the Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm and Royal Canadian Navy under Lend-Lease and mutual aid arrangements; some served with No. 1820 and 1830 Naval Air Squadrons.

Related aircraft

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