October 16th, 1941, ground personnel demonstrate bomb-loading with the XSB2C-1.
Though not evident here, the tail had by this time been enlarged to improve stability.


Project 914 Archives - Larger Image

Building the Beasts


Final assembly area at the Curtiss factory in Columbus, Ohio, November 5th, 1943.
Helldivers dominate, though to the right and in the background are several SOC Seagulls being
refurbished. Further to the right can be seen some SO3C Seamews. Though newer than the Seagull,
the Seamew was a dismal failure operationally and would soon be replaced by its older brother.


via Ryan Crierie - Larger Image

A Better Beast


Here's the attached tag for the following news photo:

Columbus, Ohio, April 18 - New Model Helldiver - The Navy today unveiled its new Helldiver, the
Curtiss SB2C-3. It has a larger engine and a four-bladed propeller which adds range, speed, ceiling
and climb. The plane was shown during a Navy-sponsored tour of the Curtiss-Wright plant here.
(AP Wirephoto) 1944


Project 914 Archives - Larger Image

Son-of-a-Bitch 2nd Class... dash-four


It seems the Helldiver had no shortage of disparaging nicknames. That offered
in the above title was based on the type's designation... SB2C. Seen here is an SB2C-4.


Project 914 Archives (S.Donacik collection) - Larger Image

Beasts of the Sky


A nine-ship formation of Helldivers from an unidentified Stateside training outfit.


Project 914 Archives (S.Donacik collection) - Larger Image

A closer look at the nearest three-ship...


Project 914 Archives (S.Donacik collection) - Larger Image

Shrikes


The US Army ordered 900 Helldivers under the designation 'A-25A'. Curtiss dive-bombers
built for the Navy were traditionally named 'Helldiver', and those built for the Army were named
'Shrike', with the A-25A being no exception. By the time they were beginning to enter service in
1943, the Army no longer needed a dedicated dive-bomber, and the Shrikes were relegated to
Stateside training roles, used largely as target tugs and often flown by WASPs.

A-25As under construction at the St.Louis plant, January 26th, 1943. The ship whose tail and
outer left wing are visible on the left of the photo is 41-18775, the second A-25A-1-CS.
Also note the C-76 Caravan under construction, in the upper left of the photo.


National Air and Space Museum Archives - Curtiss Wright photo by Cecil Tucker - Larger Image

A closer look at the ship second in line, 41-18776.


National Air and Space Museum Archives - Curtiss Wright photo by Cecil Tucker - Larger Image

Another factory shot, taken a few weeks later on March 13th, 1943.
41-18786, the third A-25A-5-CS, is shown on the left, followed by 41-18787.


National Air and Space Museum Archives - Curtiss Wright photo by Cecil Tucker - Larger Image


National Air and Space Museum Archives - Curtiss Wright photo by Cecil Tucker - Larger Image

An RA-25A named 'Kathie "M"' from the 4th Tow Target Squadron in flight near Camp Stewart AAF
(also known as Liberty AAF), Georgia, June 1944. WASP Helen A. Snapp is the pilot.


National Museum of the United States Air Force - Larger Image

I have yet to identify the outfit this RA-25A was with when this photo was taken.
She survived the war and went to the Reconstruction Finance Corporation in June of 1945.


Project 914 Archives (S.Donacik collection) - Larger Image

Here's a closer look at the emblem on the nose. The design elements appear to include
a gal above the machine gun round and a scroll, all on top of a heart with a bordered
disc as background. The writing on the scroll is illegible, and details on the gal aren't
clear, but she appears to be a blonde. Though the artwork looks to be more personal in
nature rather than an official unit emblem, the MG round would seem to indicate that
this ship is from a gunnery training/tow target outfit, but I have no idea which.


Project 914 Archives (S.Donacik collection) - Larger Image

Helldivers Down Under... Sorta


The Aussies ordered 150 A-25A Shrikes but took delivery of just ten (serials A69-1 - 10),
none of which were flown on operations by the RAAF before their transfer to the USAAF in 1944.
The remainder of the RAAF order was canceled and taken over by the USMC. This ship here is A69-29.


National Museum of Naval Aviation (Hans Groenhoff photo) - Larger Image

A fine color view of A69-29.


National Air & Space Museum (Hans Groenhoff photo) - Larger Image

A closer look...


National Air & Space Museum (Hans Groenhoff photo) - Larger Image

Hellenic Helldivers


In 1949 the USA supplied Greece with 48 surplus SB2C-5s. I have conflicting information
about their disposition, but it seems that a few were used for pilot/aircrew training and as
instructional airframes to train ground crews, while some were held as reserves to serve as
replacements and as a source for spare parts. The rest were operated by the 336th Bomber
Squadron of the Royal Hellenic Air Force during the latter stages of the Greek Civil War.

The type was largely retired from RHAF service by 1953, with a few serving until 1957 as
photo-reconnaissance ships. This photo shows two Helldivers from the 336th BS in 1950.


Flight (Greek Aviation Magazine) - Larger Image

Survivors


Few Helldivers survive today and, as of this writing, just three are airworthy. Among
the latter is SB2C-5 BuNo. 83589, kept by the Comemmorative Air Force's West Texas
Wing. For decades this particular Beast was the only airworthy example in the world.

A feature page for surviving Helldivers will be added in the future.


Jose Ramos photo via Wings Over Dallas - Larger Image

SB2C-5 BuNo. 83479 is part of the National Air and Space Museum's collection
and is currently on display at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Virginia.


National Air and Space Museum - Larger Image

SB2C-5 BuNo. 83393, owned and operated by Fagen Fighters in Minnesota.


Greg Morehead Photo via EAA - The Spirit of Aviation Facebook Page - Larger Image

SB2C-1A 75552, owned and operated by The National Museum of World War II Aviation in Colorado.
This ship was originally ordered as an A-25A Shrike, serial 42-80387, for the USAAF.


Dave Devore Photo via National Museum of World War II Aviation Facebook Page - Larger Image

The CAF Helldiver was captured by Andy Chow during a 'photo experience' night shoot
at the Mid-Atlantic Air Museum's 2025 World War II Weekend at Reading, PA...


Andy Chow photo - Larger Image


Andy Chow photo - Larger Image

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