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  • Please see the most recent updates in the "Where did the .com name go?" thread. Posts number 16 and 17.

    Post 16 Update

    Post 17 Warning

REQ: FSX SB2C Helldiver

roger-wilco-66

roger-wilco-66

Administrator
Staff member
Hi,

I know, this is not exactly an aircraft everybody likes, but it would be great if some capable hand could bring a native FSX version of this aircraft into being.

I'm reading Harold Buells "Dauntless Helldivers" right now, which is an amazing account of his experiences in the pacific war and a mighty good read. I'm a little hyped and inspired toward the planes he flew and described in the book, the SBD Dauntless (we got that, thanks to Vertigo) and later the SB2C Helldiver.

So: pleeeeeese *whince*


Cheers,
Mark
 
I tried to rally support for one a while back, but it kind of fizzled, I think... I would gladly pay for one...:salute:
 
Quicksand said:
I tried to rally support for one a while back, but it kind of fizzled, I think... I would gladly pay for one...:salute:
Click to expand...

This would be an excellent addition to the Vertigo Studio lineup (that is, after I convince Dean to do a P-39).
icon23.gif
 
Helldiver is a great aircraft the RHAF (Royal Hellenic Air Force, as it was at the time) Operated the Type...

Greek%20Helldiver.jpg
 
"There were reasons it was called "the Beast".
That name only came after the war when writers were looking for a derogatory name for the aircraft. She was always named the "2 - CEE" by us guys that flew in it. I got it's bad reputation because it grew it's teeth in the heat of battle. The SBD got rid of it's many failings long before the war. It never learned how to fold it's wings or keep up with the fighter cover.
The only complaint was all the hydraulic leaks but it got my ass home every day, safe and sound. It served right up to the Viet Nam war with the Greek, Italian and French governments.
If anyone wants to attempt this rather complicated aircraft, I would be more than glad to help. It has been ignored for far too long.
 
Helldiver said:
"There were reasons it was called "the Beast".
That name only came after the war when writers were looking for a derogatory name for the aircraft. She was always named the "2 - CEE" by us guys that flew in it. I got it's bad reputation because it grew it's teeth in the heat of battle. The SBD got rid of it's many failings long before the war. It never learned how to fold it's wings or keep up with the fighter cover.
The only complaint was all the hydraulic leaks but it got my ass home every day, safe and sound. It served right up to the Viet Nam war with the Greek, Italian and French governments.
If anyone wants to attempt this rather complicated aircraft, I would be more than glad to help. It has been ignored for far too long.
Click to expand...

It was also larger and more powerful and that meant it was a bit more risky on carrier operations. But you are right, the big difference is that the pre-war aircraft had the luxury of peace and time to work out their kinks. Like many of the higher performance combat aircraft developed during the war, the luxury of time simply wasn't there. So, these aircraft were released with known issues to work out. Those issues were often worked out by the sweat and blood of the crews who flew them in combat.

Ken
 
Brings to mind the B-26 Marauder which got a bad reputation early on, but ended the war being a particularly effective platform. Again, a airplane which went through development during the war. Helldiver's comments provide context.
 
If only we had a forum member who was a fount of first-hand information on the Helldiver...

Wait a minute....

:)
 
Bill Palmer, a pilot in VB17, on board Bunker Hill, the first squadron to take the SB2C-1 into combat does refer to it as the Beast... He did admit it was not easy to fly, heavy on the controls, but he did enjoy flying it, especially appreciating the extra speed. Curtiss engineers accompanying the squadron into the combat zone were especially helpful in working out the many initial "issues". Many also rans never made it to production, or to combat squadrons. Curtiss persevered, to their credit.

The Dauntless, as well as some of the Wildcats were small enough to not need to fold their wings. This was both a structural and weight advantage. Folding wings on the later Wildcats permitted more aircraft storage, but the weight penalty was not always appreciated once in the air.

Ed Hieneman, designer of both the SBD and the A4 Skyhawk had a design philoophy of "simplicate and add lightness". Both were very effective aircraft for their size. The SBD had the lowest per sorte loss rate of any USN aircraft during WWII.

No matter what it's good and bad points and teething pains, the SB2C's crews did forge it into a usefull and effective weapon.

Crews have a strong tendency to believe in the plane they are flying, and it's superiority. If you could not somehow believe this how could you possibly take into to the air, or into combat. I have flown a lot of planes, it's a strong sense of My Dog is better than Your Dog....

Maybe it is.... T
 
"Bill Palmer, a pilot in VB17, on board Bunker Hill, the first squadron to take the SB2C-1 into combat does refer to it as the Beast..."
Well I don't care if he called it Hop-a Long Cassidy, it was always the "2-Cee" to the rest of us.
The Dauntless, might have an eight foot advantage in wing span, but if you were ever on an active flight deck you'd appreciate the ability of folding wings. I never heard a single pilot complain about the added weight of the wing fold mechanism, any more than the weight of paint.
The SBD did it's work until the SB2C came along and established the highest kill of all Japanese shipping. It deserves an equal billing and certainly not the outrageous scorn of writers that weren't even born while the Helldivers were flying.

 
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