SBC Helldiver

SBC Helldiver
Type	Dive bomber
Manufacturer	Curtiss-Wright
Introduced	1938
Primary users	United States Navy United States Marine Corps Fleet Air Arm Aviation Navale
Number built	257

The Curtiss SBC Helldiver was a two-place scout bomber built by the Curtiss-Wright Corporation. It was the last military biplane procured by the U.S. Navy.

The SBC-3 the inital production model was powered by a radial Pratt & Whitney Twin Wasp Junior R-1535 engine. The SBC-3 began operational service in 1938. Eighty-three SBC-3s were built.

The SBC-4 was powered by a radial Wright R-1820 Cyclone 9 engine. The SBC-4 entered service in 1939. One hundred seventy-four SBC-4s were built including fifty SBC-4s that were delivered to the French Navy. Five of the French order were delivered to the British Fleet Air Arm (as the Curtiss Cleveland).

Operators

• France
  • Aviation Navale
• United Kingdom
  • Fleet Air Arm
• United States
  • United States Marine Corps
  • United States Navy

Specifications (SBC-4)

General characteristics

• Crew: 2: pilot and gunner
• Length: 28 ft 4 in (8.64 m)
• Wingspan: 34 ft 0 in (10.36 m)
• Height: 12 ft 7 in (3.84 m)
• Wing area: 317 ft² (29.5 m²)
• Empty weight: 4,841 lb (2,196 kg)
• Max takeoff weight: 7,632 lb (3,462 kg)
• Powerplant: 1× Wright R-1820-34 "Cyclone" radial engine, 950 hp (709 kW)

Performance

• Maximum speed: 237 mph (206 knots, 381 km/h)
• Range: 590 mi (510 nm, 950 km)
• Service ceiling: 27,300 ft (8,320 m)

Armament

• Guns:
  
  • 1× 0.30 in (7.62 mm) forward-firing machine gun
  • 1 0.30 in (7.62 mm) flexible rearward-firing machine gun
• Bombs: 1× bomb of up to 1,000 lb (450 kg)

Related content

Related development

• SB2C Helldiver

Designation sequence

• F sequence: F9C - F10C - F11C - F12C - F13C - XF14C - F15C
• SB sequence: SBC - SB2C - SB3C - SBD

Related lists

• List of military aircraft of the United States (naval)
• List of aircraft of the Fleet Air Arm