NOTE: RADIO CONTROL AIRPLANES ARE ON THE BOTTOM HALF OF THE PAGE.

There were three Curtiss Helldiver aircraft. The first two were biplanes, built prior to World War II.

In 1925 the Curtiss Falcon fighter/bomber entered active duty. It was designated the F8C Helldiver when used by the U.S.M.C. and is pictured above.  It saw action in the Brazilian Air Force in their war of 1932, with the Bolivian Air Force in the Chaco War, and the Columbian Air Force fighting against Peru. The aircraft was retired from U.S.M.C. active duty in 1936.

A total of 150 of the Helldiver aircraft were produced.


The next Curtiss Helldiver to be produced was the SBC. It was a U.S. Navy biplane with retractable landing gear that first flew in 1934. The Navy never ordered any additional aircraft other than monoplanes as combat aircraft after the SBC.

The SBC was originally ordered as a fighter, then an observation aircraft, then a combination observation bomber, and eventually as a dive bomber. It was modified by Curtiss with each role change proposed by the Navy.

The Helldiver originally was a single parasol wing design. This was found unsatisfactory when it was used as a dive bomber. The design was changed to a conventional biplane wing. More powerful engines were fitted to the airframe.

Deliveries of the Helldiver to the U.S.N. began in 1939. Both the Americans and the British used the aircraft as trainers, for by this time they were outmoded by more modern aircraft. We are told that although this model of the Helldiver did not contribute to the war effort as a combat aircraft, it had great value as a dive bombing training aircraft.

A total of 257 of this model Helldiver aircraft were produced.


The last Helldiver produced by Curtiss was the model SB2C. The aircraft was a monoplane design with its primary ordnance carried internally for drag reduction. Its combat experience during World War II contributed significantly to an Allied victory in the Pacific.

The Helldiver was used extensively during the battles of Leyte and the Philippines. They contributed to the sinking of the Japanese battleships Yamato and Musahi, in addition to numerous other Japanese warships.

Although the aircraft had a number of deficiencies when originally introduced, these were overcome with progressive model updates.

Helldiver aircraft continued in service with the U.S. Navy through 1948. They were used by France, Greece, Italy, Portugal and Thailand where they continued to be flown until 1955.

A total of 894 of these Helldiver aircraft were produced.