Hobby Master Archive

Hobby Master 1/72 Air Power Series HA2207 SB2C-4 Helldiver VB-83, USS Essex “White 207”, April 1 1945

1/72 scale pre-finished.

Die-cast metal with a minimum of plastic.

Professionally painted.

All markings pad applied for superb results.

Interchangeable canopies.

Crew figures.

Comes with display stand.

Landing gear can be displayed up or down.

Comes with missiles.

Photo-etched dive brakes.

Extremely sought after by collectors.

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. The most produced variant was the “4” with the SB2C-4E equipped with an AN/APS-4 radar pod mounted under the starboard wing for air search. 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.

In early 1945 USS Essex and her aircraft became part of Operation Iceberg, the invasion of Okinawa. The battle lasted a total of 82 days from April 1, 1945 until June 22, 1945. VB-83 Helldivers and VT-83 Avengers were tasked with shipping strikes, anti- submarine patrols and ground support of troops. On April 5, 1945 VB-83 Helldivers and VT-83 Avengers were heavily involved in sinking one of the two largest battleships in the world, Yamato.

Specifications for the Curtiss SB2C-4 Helldiver First flight - 18/12/1940 Crew - 2 X Pilot and Radio Operator/Gunner

Dimensions Length - 36.7ft (11.18m) Wingspan - 49.7ft (15.16m) Height - 13.2ft (4.01m)

Performance Engine - 1 X Wright R-2600-2- Cyclone / 1900hp (1,417kW) Speed - Cruise / 158mph (254km/h) (137kts) Maximum Speed - 295mph (475km/h) (256kts) Rate Of Climb - 1,800ft/min (548m/min) Service Ceiling - 29,100ft (8,869m) Range - 1,165miles (1,876km)

Weight Empty - 1,057lbs (7535kg) Maximum Take Off - 16,616lbs (7,537kg)

Armament 2 X 20mm fixed wing cannon or 4 X 0.50 caliber fixed wing machine guns 2 X 0.30 caliber rear cockpit machine guns or 1 X 0.50 caliber flexible rear cockpit machine gun Bomb Load- 1 X torpedo or 1,000 pounds of bombs in the bay or 4 X depth charges Also capable of carry an additional 1,000 pounds of bombs or 8 X 5inch rockets under the wings.