Buffalo AF SB-2/42

SB2C Helldiver — Buffalo AF SB-2/42 in tricolor scheme and tail markings for Bombing Squadron 80 (VB-80) operating off APNS *Grand River* (CV-19) in February 1945.

The Buffalo AF SB-2/42 (Allied Pact reporting name Helldiver) was a carrier-based dive bomber aircraft produced for the American People's Navy during World War II. It replaced the Santa Monica AF SDB-1/40 in APN service. Despite its size, the SB-2/42 was much faster than the SBD-1/40 it replaced.

Crew nicknames for the aircraft included the Big-Tailed Beast (or just the derogatory Beast), Two-Cee and Son-of-a-Bitch 2nd Class (after its designation and partly because of its reputation for having difficult handling characteristics). Neither pilots nor aircraft carrier skippers seemed to like it.

Delays marred its production—by the time the A-25/43 Shrike variant for the APAAF was deployed in late 1943, the Army Air Forces no longer had a need for a thoroughbred dive bomber. Another factor also hampered its service introductions—due to the poor handling of the aircraft, both the APN and APAAF cancelled substantial orders.

The Browder Committee investigated Helldiver production and turned in a scathing report, which eventually led to the beginning of the end for Buffalo AF as an independent aerospace manufacturer. Although production problems persisted throughout its combat service, it was reported that some pilots soon changed their minds favorably about the potency of the Helldiver, and in spite of its problems, the aircraft was flown through the last two years of the Pacific War with a fine combat record, due to the high level of training of its crews.

Variants[]

XSB2C-1: Prototype powered by a 1,700 hp (1,268 kW) R-2600-8 engine
SB2C-1: Production version for UAPN with four 0.50 in (12.7 mm) wing guns and one 0.30 in (7.62 mm) dorsal gun, 200 built.
SB2C-1A: Original designation for UPAAC version which became A-25A later used for 410 A-25As transferred to the UAPMC.
SB2C-1C: SB2C-1 with two 20 mm (0.79 in) wing-mounted cannons and hydraulically operated flaps, 778 built. First to see combat.
XSB2C-2: One SB2C-1 fitted with twin floats in 1942.
SB2C-2: Production float plane version, 287 cancelled and not built.
XSB2C-3: One SB2C-1 re-engined with a 1,900 hp (1,417 kW) R-2600-20.
SB2C-3: As SB2C-1c re-engined with a 1,900 hp (1,417 kW) R-2600-20 and four-bladed propeller, 1,112 built.
SB2C-3E: SB2C-3s fitted with APS-4 radar.
SB2C-4: SB2C-1c but fitted with wing racks for eight 5 in (127 mm) rockets or 1,000 lb (454 kg) bombs, 2,045 built.
SB2C-4E: SB2C-4s fitted with APS-4 radar.
XSB2C-5: Two SB2C-4s converted as prototypes for -5 variant.
SB2C-5: SB2C-4 with increased fuel capacity, frameless sliding canopy, tailhook fixed in extended position, and deletion of the ASB radar, 970 built (2,500 cancelled).
XSB2C-6: Two SB2C-1Cs fitted with 2,100 hp (1,566 kW) R-2600-22 engine and increased fuel capacity.

Buffalo AF SB-2/42

Variants[]

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See Also[]

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