1:72 scale diecast aircraft by Hobby Master 1:72 Air Power Series HA2204. Curtiss SB2C Helldiver Diecast Model Aeronavale Esc. 3F, Arromanches, Indochina, 1954.

Length 6 inches
Wingspan 8 inches

In 1938 the Curtiss SB2C was ordered by the US Government as a replacement for the SBD Dauntless but with numerous delays didn’t reach the first squadrons until 1942. Even then the aircraft was plagued by poor workmanship and substandard material resulting in aerodynamic and structural problems. As each new variant was delivered these defects were corrected and with the last variant, the SB2C-5, Curtiss had a very good aircraft. Besides the US and France four other countries bought the Helldiver SB2C-5, Greece Portugal Thailand and Italy with Italy being the last to retire their aircraft in 1959.

The SB2C Helldiver was commonly referred to as “The Beast” because of its size and rather poor handling characteristics. Even with new variants and upgrades the Helldiver never received the credit and respect it deserved. It flew faster and further than the Avenger, except for range it beat the SBD in every category. Its cruising speed was only 2 mph slower than the famous Hellcat.

Between 1949 and 1954 France bought 110 SB2C-5 aircraft. Some of these planes were allotted to Esc 3F stationed onboard the carrier Arromanches. The Helldiver and pilots soon became well thought of by the French troops on the ground during the famous battle at Dien Bien Phu in 1954. Sometimes only feet above the ground the pilots flew countless sorties strafing and bombing the Viet-Minh with a total disregard to the heavy flak. These would be the last combat missions for the Helldiver but probably the most effective missions in the aircraft’s history.