Fairchild SBF-4E Helldiver

Fairchild · Canada · first flew 1944 · bomber

The Fairchild SBF-4E Helldiver is the night and limited all-weather variant of Fairchild's Canadian production line, corresponding to the Curtiss SB2C-4E and carrying an APS-4 radar pod under the starboard wing for nocturnal operations against shipping.

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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Final Fairchild Canada Helldiver production variant
Night-capable with radar gear, corresponding to SB2C-4E
Wright R-2600-20 radial with APS-4 radar pod

Identifiable from standard Helldivers by the APS-4 radar pod mounted under the starboard outer wing — otherwise identical in profile to the SBF-3 and other marks.

Specifications

The Fairchild SBF-4E 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

The E-suffix on Helldiver variants denotes radar equipment for night attack capability. The SBF-4E was the final Fairchild production variant, delivered in 1944–45. The radar pod distinguished these aircraft visually from standard day-attack Helldivers and allowed operations against Japanese shipping under darkness.

Variants

The SBF-4E is the last of Fairchild's production; the parallel CCF line produced the SBW-4E to the same standard.

Where you'll see it

Primarily supplied to the Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm and intended for night carrier operations in the Pacific theatre.

Related aircraft

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