Comments on: Curtiss SB2C Helldiver: The Last Dive Bomber http://www.historynet.com/curtiss-sb2c-helldiver-the-last-dive-bomber.htm?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=curtiss-sb2c-helldiver-the-last-dive-bomber From the World's Largest History Magazine Publisher Wed, 15 Feb 2012 02:15:35 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3 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.

]]> By: m potter http://www.historynet.com/curtiss-sb2c-helldiver-the-last-dive-bomber.htm#comment-785274 m potter Tue, 27 Dec 2011 01:27:23 +0000 #comment-785274 we have dived in the wreck of a helldiver, 4 bladed prop off the coast of jupiter florida. its in 190 feet and has been down quite some time. does anyone have a history of why she crashed? her landing gear is retracted. thanks we have dived in the wreck of a helldiver, 4 bladed prop off the coast of jupiter florida. its in 190 feet and has been down quite some time. does anyone have a history of why she crashed? her landing gear is retracted.
thanks

]]> By: Ron Presswood http://www.historynet.com/curtiss-sb2c-helldiver-the-last-dive-bomber.htm#comment-580488 Ron Presswood Tue, 31 May 2011 14:45:10 +0000 #comment-580488 As a LT/USN with service on USS Essex 1966-1968 my interest has grown in my fathre's friend Amos Foote, LTjg who died in an SB2C at Guadacanal. Is there a general posting of aircraft lost and their crew members during the SB2C's service in WWII? Thank you, Ron Presswood, DDS Please reply to me email as I ma loose his blog site As a LT/USN with service on USS Essex 1966-1968 my interest has grown in my fathre's friend Amos Foote, LTjg who died in an SB2C at Guadacanal. Is there a general posting of aircraft lost and their crew members during the SB2C's service in WWII?

Thank you, Ron Presswood, DDS

Please reply to me email as I ma loose his blog site

]]> By: Steve Andreason http://www.historynet.com/curtiss-sb2c-helldiver-the-last-dive-bomber.htm#comment-484379 Steve Andreason Sun, 06 Mar 2011 16:30:24 +0000 #comment-484379 It was great reading your e-mail. My father rarely discussed his combat experiences during WW II. Trough research, reading I was able to piece together an outline of his experiences at his funeral where I gave his Eulogy. To my surprise several members of the family didn't even know he had fought in WW II. I am in the process now of gathering and writting as much as I can to preserve his history for the next generation. I salute the sacrifices of my dad's generation for the blessings of freedom we enjoy. What success and accomplishments I obtain is by standing on the shoulders of the previous generation. Thanks Joe and to the countless others. It was great reading your e-mail. My father rarely discussed his combat experiences during WW II. Trough research, reading I was able to piece together an outline of his experiences at his funeral where I gave his Eulogy. To my surprise several members of the family didn't even know he had fought in WW II. I am in the process now of gathering and writting as much as I can to preserve his history for the next generation. I salute the sacrifices of my dad's generation for the blessings of freedom we enjoy. What success and accomplishments I obtain is by standing on the shoulders of the previous generation. Thanks Joe and to the countless others.

]]> By: Joe Hudson http://www.historynet.com/curtiss-sb2c-helldiver-the-last-dive-bomber.htm#comment-457592 Joe Hudson Wed, 09 Feb 2011 21:11:08 +0000 #comment-457592 I just ran into your memo regarding the SB2C-5 Helldiver that your father flew in AG 12. I don't remember him but I do see his name listed in the book "Crommelin's Thunderbids" of which I was a radio/gunner in that AG flying in the SB2C-5. My pilot was Gerald Fye. Its always kind of a treat to hear about someone acquainted with personnel from that Air Group. There is not a great many of us left. As far as the old Helldiver is concerned, how can you bad mouth a vehicle that took you out and brought you back safely every time? Sure, it had some problems but most aircraft did. I don't think it deserves the slam that most writers give it. We trained in the old SBD and it was a tough old bird but I was always glad of the extra speed that the SB2C had when we went into combat. Glad to see your memo Steve. Wish I had known your Dad. I just ran into your memo regarding the SB2C-5 Helldiver that your father flew in AG 12. I don't remember him but I do see his name listed in the book "Crommelin's Thunderbids" of which I was a radio/gunner in that AG flying in the SB2C-5. My pilot was Gerald Fye. Its always kind of a treat to hear about someone acquainted with personnel from that Air Group. There is not a great many of us left. As far as the old Helldiver is concerned, how can you bad mouth a vehicle that took you out and brought you back safely every time? Sure, it had some problems but most aircraft did. I don't think it deserves the slam that most writers give it. We trained in the old SBD and it was a tough old bird but I was always glad of the extra speed that the SB2C had when we went into combat. Glad to see your memo Steve. Wish I had known your Dad.

]]> By: j. mcnally http://www.historynet.com/curtiss-sb2c-helldiver-the-last-dive-bomber.htm#comment-416024 j. mcnally Mon, 03 Jan 2011 20:54:37 +0000 #comment-416024 my father flew both the sbd and sb2c inww2. he loved sbd called it a forgiving plane. he hated the sb2c. for its poor handling characteristics he also said the pilots called curtis plane co. the curtis toy and novelty co. because they thought they built bad planes. my father flew both the sbd and sb2c inww2. he loved sbd called it a forgiving plane. he hated the sb2c. for its poor handling characteristics he also said the pilots called curtis plane co. the curtis toy and novelty co. because they thought they built bad planes.

]]> By: dr robert o'brien http://www.historynet.com/curtiss-sb2c-helldiver-the-last-dive-bomber.htm#comment-377346 dr robert o'brien Sat, 27 Nov 2010 15:29:57 +0000 #comment-377346 even though i trained in multi engine in world war ll i flew the sb2c in a torpedo testing unit. near the end of the war. i learned to love the plane. i found out early on if you're short you better crank up the seat cause it's easy to ground loop. even though i trained in multi engine in world war ll i flew the sb2c in a torpedo testing unit. near the end of the war. i learned to love the plane. i found out early on if you're short you better crank up the seat cause it's easy to ground loop.

]]> By: Chet Falkenhainer http://www.historynet.com/curtiss-sb2c-helldiver-the-last-dive-bomber.htm#comment-157155 Chet Falkenhainer Fri, 11 Dec 2009 19:50:56 +0000 #comment-157155 I am one of just an extremely few who actually fly in the last remaining SB2C-5 today. I love the plane and while I was not around to stand up for freedom at the time of the Helldivers height of use, but being a retired disabled combat veteran (US Navy Combat Photographer) I have seen my share of combat in moder aircraft and helicopters that I can tell you a good solid machine when I see one and fly in one. I am a crewmember on the Helldiver today and Col in the CAF, the Helldiver is part of the West Texas Wing of the Commemorative airforce and is hangered in Houston Texas. It is a beautiful aircraft and a prime example and reminder of the courage and dedication given to us by the greatest generation of our time. I am one of just an extremely few who actually fly in the last remaining SB2C-5 today. I love the plane and while I was not around to stand up for freedom at the time of the Helldivers height of use, but being a retired disabled combat veteran (US Navy Combat Photographer) I have seen my share of combat in moder aircraft and helicopters that I can tell you a good solid machine when I see one and fly in one. I am a crewmember on the Helldiver today and Col in the CAF, the Helldiver is part of the West Texas Wing of the Commemorative airforce and is hangered in Houston Texas. It is a beautiful aircraft and a prime example and reminder of the courage and dedication given to us by the greatest generation of our time.

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