Hobby Master Archive

Hobby Master 1/72 Air Power Series HA2209 Curtiss SB2C Helldiver White 15 of VB-12, USS Randolph, Feb 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.

On February 16-17 1945 Air Group 12 began attacks against mainland Japan. VB-12 with its 22 SB2Cs operating from the USS Randolph was part of the assaults on Tokyo and surrounding airfields and engine plants. Over the following week strikes would be made in support of the landing at Iwo Jima and the advance in land. On February 25, 1945 USS Randolph left the area and sailed for Ulithi. VB-12 had one of the most distinctive aircraft marking schemes in the PTO with the bold white striped tail and white ailerons as well as the aircraft number being placed just back of the engine cowling. During this time period a 3-digit aircraft numbering system was in use but VB-12 kept the 2-digit system.

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.