The Helldiver was developed to replace the Douglas SBD Dauntless; it was a much larger aircraft able to operate from the latest aircraft carriers of the time and carry a considerable array of armament and featured an internal bomb bay that reduced drag when carrying heavy ordnance. The Model XB2C-1 prototype suffered teething problems connected to its R-2600 engine and 3-bladed propeller; further concerns included structural weaknesses, poor handling, directional instability and bad stall characteristics. The first prototype flew in December 1940. After the prototype crashed in February 1941, Curtiss was asked to rebuild it with revised structures and shapes. This second prototype version was also lost when in December 1941 the Helldiver pulled out of a dive and the starboard wing and tailplane failed catastrophically.

The large number (literally thousands) of modifications and changes on the production line meant that the Curtiss Helldiver did not enter combat until 11 November 1943 when they attacked the Japanese-held port of Rabaul in Papua New Guinea. Even though the Helldiver entered US Naval service, it still had such structural problems that the aircraft crews were forbidden to dive bomb in clean conditions (one of its main tasks). The SB2C-1 could deploy slats mechanically linked with undercarriage actuation extended from the outer third of the wing leading edge to aid lateral control at low speeds. The "Beast" was initially strongly disliked by aircrews because it was much bigger and heavier than the SBD it replaced. The litany of faults that the Helldiver bore included the fact that it was underpowered, had a shorter range than the SBD, had an unreliable electrical system and was often poorly manufactured. Although production problems persisted, pilots soon changed their minds about the potency of the Helldiver, and the SB2C would go on to sink more enemy shipping in the Pacific war than any other US or Allied aircraft.

SPECIFICATIONS:

Crew: Two, pilot and radio operator/gunner

Length: 36 ft 9 in (11.2 m)

Wingspan: 49 ft 9 in (15.2 m)

Height: 14 ft 9 in (4.5 m)

Wing area: 422 ft² (39.2 m²)

Empty weight: 10,114 lb (4,588 kg)

Loaded weight: 13,674 lb (6,202 kg)

Max takeoff weight: 16,800 lb (7,600 kg)

Powerplant: 1× Wright R-2600 Cyclone radial engine, 1,900 hp (1,400 kW)

PERFORMANCE:

Maximum speed: 294 mph (473 km/h)

Range: 1,200 miles (1,900 km)

Service ceiling: 25,000 ft (7,600 m)

Rate of climb: 1,750 ft/min (8.9 m/s)