COMBAT AIRCRAFT No 3 HELLDIVER UNITS OF WORLD WAR II

The most numerous Allied dive-bomber of Second World War, the Curtiss Helldiver endured a prolonged gestation period to mature into one of the most effective aircraft of its type to see service in the Pacific theatre of war. Some 7,200 aircraft were built between 1942 and 1945, the type making its service debut over Rabaul on 11th November 1943 in the hands of VB-17, this unit flying SB2C-1Cs from the deck of USS Bunker Hill. Although hated by the myriad crews sent into combat strapped to a Helldiver, the bomber was responsible for the destruction of more Japanese targets than any other dive-bomber.

Contents

Development and Fleet Service * Into Combat * Nightmare in the Marianas * Decision at Leyte * Tokyo and Beyond * Other Users * SB2C in Perspective * Appendices