Curtiss SB2C Helldiver

The Curtiss SB2C Helldiver was an aircraft carrier-based dive bomber produced for the United States Navy during World War II. 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, was underpowered, 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. Despite its size, the SB2C was as fast as a fighter; only the Vought F4U Corsair could significantly outperform it. The SB2C-2 was built with larger fuel tanks, improving its range considerably.