Academy Aircraft 1/72 Curtiss SB2C-4 Helldiver Operation Iceberg US Navy Ltd. Edition Kit

The SB2C Helldiver was one of the most effective dive bombers developed in World War 2 and served well into the 1950s. Ironically, the Helldiver spent more time as a prototype than a combat aircraft during WW2. For those who remember the movie 'Dive Bomber' that was released before WW2, there was a silhouette of an aircraft at the end of the movie - the XSB2C-1.  The Helldiver was entering flight test before the war and might have retired the Douglas SBD early if all had gone well.

By the middle of 1944, most of the bugs had been ironed out of the beast and the SB2C-4 became the standard issue of bombing and scouting squadrons. These were supplemented and were eventually replaced by the ultimate Helldiver, the SB2C-5. This version remained in active Navy service until replaced by the Douglas AD Skyraider.

The SB2C-4 picked up the fight as it phased out earlier versions and carried the war all the way to Tokyo. Some were equipped with underwing yagi antennas (ASB radar) while others were fitted with the AN/APS-4 radar pods under the starboard wing. Many SB2C-4s flew without either.

Features and Options:

• Nicely detailed front and rear cockpits
• Crew restraints provided as decals
• Bomb bay doors are positioned open
• Two bombs on trapeze launchers provided in bomb bay
• Leading edge slat is positionable
• Canopies are positionable
• Rear turtle deck is molded up/guns stowed
• Flight controls are all molded in neutral/centered position
• Flaps/dive brakes are positionable (closed as molded or open/deployed using photo-etch parts)

Markings For Three Aircraft:

• SB2C-4E, 15, VB-16, USS Randolph, 1945
• SB2C-4E, 205, VB-84, USS Bunker Hill, 1945
• SB2C-4, 110, VB-3, USS Yorktown, 1945