Designed as a two-seat scout and dive bomber for the U.S. Navy,
the Curtiss SB2C Helldiver prototype first flew in December of 1940.
It replaced the Douglas SBD Dauntless in US Navy service, and was
initially strongly disliked by aircrews because it was much bigger
and heavier than the SBD, and had a shorter range. Opinions soon
changed, however, and the SB2C sank more enemy shipping in the
Pacific war than any other US or Allied aircraft. SB2Cs went into
action for the first time on 11 November 1943 in a heavy raid on the
Japanese held port of Rabaul in Papua New Guinea. Much larger,
heavier and faster than the earlier Douglas SBD Dauntless dive
bomber, the Curtiss Helldiver was often nicknamed the "Big Tailed
Beast" or more often just "Beast" by its crews. During the last two
years of the war, the SB2C proved itself an effective attack bomber.
The Helldiver could carry up to 1,000 pounds of bombs in its bomb
bay plus another 1,000 pounds externally, under the wings. It also
carried two fixed 20mm cannons in the wings, and two .30 caliber
machine guns in the rear cockpit. Over 7,000 Helldivers were
produced during World War II, some surplus aircraft were sold to
the navies of France, Italy, Greece, Portugal and Thailand after the war.