Comments on: Curtiss SB2C Helldiver: The Last Dive Bomber http://www.historynet.com/curtiss-sb2c-helldiver-the-last-dive-bomber.htm From the World's Largest History Magazine Publisher Fri, 24 May 2013 14:46:13 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: joseph http://www.historynet.com/curtiss-sb2c-helldiver-the-last-dive-bomber.htm#comment-1028031 joseph Sat, 13 Apr 2013 19:01:20 +0000 #comment-1028031 As a navy brat stationed at NTC SD, I remember the USS Bunker Hill tied up at the end of a runway at North Island. I use to fish around it and as kids we tried to climb up on it. I know the bomb Squadron 17 (VS-24) flew off that ship (I built all the models back in the day). But I can not find an insignia nor a squadron name for VB-17, CV-17. Does anybody in this forum know the answer. Thank You Joseph As a navy brat stationed at NTC SD, I remember the USS Bunker Hill tied up at the end of a runway at North Island. I use to fish around it and as kids we tried to climb up on it. I know the bomb Squadron 17 (VS-24) flew off that ship (I built all the models back in the day). But I can not find an insignia nor a squadron name for VB-17, CV-17. Does anybody in this forum know the answer.

Thank You Joseph

]]> By: Top 10 Clunkers in Military Aviation History - Page 5 http://www.historynet.com/curtiss-sb2c-helldiver-the-last-dive-bomber.htm#comment-865184 Top 10 Clunkers in Military Aviation History - Page 5 Tue, 05 Feb 2013 17:57:14 +0000 #comment-865184 [...] opinions of guys who actually flew in them posted as responses to a typically unflattering article. Curtiss SB2C Helldiver: The Last Dive Bomber Im not saying the "Son-Of-A-Bitch-2nd-Class" was a joy to fly, or that it didnt have a [...] [...] opinions of guys who actually flew in them posted as responses to a typically unflattering article. Curtiss SB2C Helldiver: The Last Dive Bomber Im not saying the "Son-Of-A-Bitch-2nd-Class" was a joy to fly, or that it didnt have a [...]

]]> By: William Richter http://www.historynet.com/curtiss-sb2c-helldiver-the-last-dive-bomber.htm#comment-840652 William Richter Tue, 22 Jan 2013 16:06:38 +0000 #comment-840652 The fully developed SB2C-4 / 5, redesigned cockpit, perforated air brakes, larger fuel capacity and reliable internal systems, served as the combined bomb and torpedo attack plane until 1949, the -5 could carry 3,000 lbs of ordinance and do it at 300 mph, was it so bad? The fully developed SB2C-4 / 5, redesigned cockpit, perforated air brakes, larger fuel capacity and reliable internal systems, served as the combined bomb and torpedo attack plane until 1949, the -5 could carry 3,000 lbs of ordinance and do it at 300 mph, was it so bad?

]]> By: William Richter http://www.historynet.com/curtiss-sb2c-helldiver-the-last-dive-bomber.htm#comment-837803 William Richter Mon, 21 Jan 2013 18:59:06 +0000 #comment-837803 Beginning with the -3 the Helldiver came right and became a very good dive bomber with the -4 and 5s, why else would the Navy keep it in service until 1949 and merge their torpedo and bomb attack role into the SB2C-5, you need to have some appreciation of what the plane accomplished during the war. Beginning with the -3 the Helldiver came right and became a very good dive bomber with the -4 and 5s, why else would the Navy keep it in service until 1949 and merge their torpedo and bomb attack role into the SB2C-5, you need to have some appreciation of what the plane accomplished during the war.

]]> By: tyler deines http://www.historynet.com/curtiss-sb2c-helldiver-the-last-dive-bomber.htm#comment-818060 tyler deines Sat, 15 Sep 2012 04:19:09 +0000 #comment-818060 Any sb2c pilots or crew members out there that might have known my grandpa Lt. RIENHOLDT DEINES? Any sb2c pilots or crew members out there that might have known my grandpa Lt. RIENHOLDT DEINES?

]]> By: Jim Smith http://www.historynet.com/curtiss-sb2c-helldiver-the-last-dive-bomber.htm#comment-795745 Jim Smith Sat, 14 Apr 2012 18:13:31 +0000 #comment-795745 My Dad, C B Smith Jr, flew the SB2c off the island of Ulithi from April 45 until VJ day doing submarine patrol and bombing Yap Island. The picture is undated. He flew with radio-gunner Scheu during that time. Wonder if anyone knows Scheu or was based on Ulithi during that period of time. I have a picture of him flying SB-34 (serial number unk). He rarely talked much about his experiences. Although he did tell about when he crashed off the end of a runway and when he almost bombed a US destroyer because they didn't have the code of the day. They shot at him and his flight, they started dive bombing run then the proper code was sent and they broke off the run. He didn't comment about he handling characteristics of the Helldiver although he did say that there were many modifications that made it better. My Dad, C B Smith Jr, flew the SB2c off the island of Ulithi from April 45 until VJ day doing submarine patrol and bombing Yap Island. The picture is undated. He flew with radio-gunner Scheu during that time. Wonder if anyone knows Scheu or was based on Ulithi during that period of time.

I have a picture of him flying SB-34 (serial number unk).

He rarely talked much about his experiences. Although he did tell about when he crashed off the end of a runway and when he almost bombed a US destroyer because they didn't have the code of the day. They shot at him and his flight, they started dive bombing run then the proper code was sent and they broke off the run.

He didn't comment about he handling characteristics of the Helldiver although he did say that there were many modifications that made it better.

]]> By: Edwin Baumeister http://www.historynet.com/curtiss-sb2c-helldiver-the-last-dive-bomber.htm#comment-793818 Edwin Baumeister Thu, 29 Mar 2012 20:40:48 +0000 #comment-793818 I am glad that somebody besides me thought well of the SB2C. In my opinion and experience aboard ship, it never let me down. It was a little unstable and hard to trim out--you had to fly it-that is what we were there for. I am glad that somebody besides me thought well of the SB2C. In my opinion and experience aboard ship, it never let me down. It was a little unstable and hard to trim out–you had to fly it-that is what we were there for.

]]> By: George Hillman http://www.historynet.com/curtiss-sb2c-helldiver-the-last-dive-bomber.htm#comment-785912 George Hillman Wed, 04 Jan 2012 03:10:15 +0000 #comment-785912 I am a stability & control engineer. The Helldiver's large vertical tail could not have been a cause of directional instability. Spiral instability? Maybe? I would like to hear from the pilots: Why was the Helldiver so hard to fly? Were the ailerons too small? Was the propeller's torque too much? Wishing happy landings to everyone, George W. Hillman, N.S.P.E. Flight Analyst I am a stability & control engineer. The Helldiver's large vertical tail could not have been a cause of directional instability. Spiral instability? Maybe?

I would like to hear from the pilots: Why was the Helldiver so hard to fly? Were the ailerons too small? Was the propeller's torque too much?

Wishing happy landings to everyone,
George W. Hillman, N.S.P.E.
Flight Analyst

]]> By: Joe E. Hudson http://www.historynet.com/curtiss-sb2c-helldiver-the-last-dive-bomber.htm#comment-785729 Joe E. Hudson Mon, 02 Jan 2012 03:03:08 +0000 #comment-785729 I was a radio/gunner on an SB2C-4 and member of AG-12 based on the carrier USS Randolph CV-15. My first combat experience was the first carrier plane raid on Tokyo-a historic event of that time. We visited other Japanese territory like Chichi Jima, Iwo Jima, Okinawa, Kyushu, and other points of interest. Although my basic training was in the SBD-5, which I liked, the Helldiver took me into combat and brought me back safely to the carrier a lot of times. And I appreciated the extra speed it had so that could have been a factor that helped getting me back home every time. In all that time I never heard my pilot make a single complaint about the SB2C. However, he was an exceptionally good pilot. I was a radio/gunner on an SB2C-4 and member of AG-12 based on
the carrier USS Randolph CV-15. My first combat experience was the first carrier plane raid on Tokyo-a historic event of that time. We visited other Japanese territory like Chichi Jima, Iwo Jima, Okinawa, Kyushu, and other points of interest.
Although my basic training was in the SBD-5, which I liked, the Helldiver took me into combat and brought me back safely to the carrier a lot of times. And I appreciated the extra speed it had so that could have been a factor that helped getting me back home every time. In all that time I never heard my pilot make a single complaint about the SB2C. However, he was an exceptionally good pilot.

]]> By: Steve Roos http://www.historynet.com/curtiss-sb2c-helldiver-the-last-dive-bomber.htm#comment-785514 Steve Roos Thu, 29 Dec 2011 22:33:54 +0000 #comment-785514 My father-in-law Earl Lassere (just turned 90) was a radio/ gunner on a SB2C-4 , His Squadron had regular reunions until just a few years ago, seems there are only two or three left at this point. He still drives and was here in Ft Worth (from Houston) for Christmas. He proudly wears his Squadron hat with a SB2C-4 pin attached. He was talking about the plane and the problems with the previous models but said the 4 had solved most of those and was a terrific aircraft. His reunions were often at the CAF but I'm sure he would like to see the aircraft in Houston. Could you tell me where it is hangered and is it open to the public or at least a former Naval Aviator. My father-in-law Earl Lassere (just turned 90) was a radio/ gunner on a SB2C-4 , His Squadron had regular reunions until just a few years ago, seems there are only two or three left at this point. He still drives and was here in Ft Worth (from Houston) for Christmas. He proudly wears his Squadron hat with a SB2C-4 pin attached. He was talking about the plane and the problems with the previous models but said the 4 had solved most of those and was a terrific aircraft. His reunions were often at the CAF but I'm sure he would like to see the aircraft in Houston. Could you tell me where it is hangered and is it open to the public or at least a former Naval Aviator.

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