Curtiss SB2C Helldiver: WarPaint Special #7 softcover +New Arrival+

Curtiss SB2C Helldiver: WarPaint Special #7 softcover +New Arrival+

Curtiss SB2C Helldiver: WarPaint Special #7 softcover

The Curtiss SB2C Helldiver was one of those aircraft that was either loved or hated- there was no middle ground. Forged in a hurry for the forthcoming war the Helldiver was designed in a hurry, built by mostly by under skilled personnel while being bombarded by the customer with their extra changes and demands. Even under this pressure Curtiss managed to produce a prototype that flew, even though it would soon reveal strength and build problems. This is what prototypes are for, however, the first production model, the Dash-1, was beset by many problems that saw one carrier captain demanding that the Helldivers be removed and the off loaded Douglas Dauntless dive bombers be reinstated. From the SB2C-3 onwards, after undergoing a full modification programme, a competent combat aircraft would emerge. Used throughout 1944/45 the Helldiver squadrons, now operating from the fast carriers, took the war to the Japanese all the way to Tokyo. Post 1945 the Helldiver would stay on active service until replaced by the Douglas AD-1 Skyraider. Overseas usage would see later build models being operated by France, Greece, Italy ,Portugal and Thailand. The Royal Navy also formed a single squadron that would never deploy on active service. Undergoing flight testing in Britain, Eric 'Winkle' Brown would declare that the Helldiver was the worst aircraft he had ever flown. Artwork and scale drawings by Sam Pearson.

Published 2025, 62 pages, black & white and colour photographs, colour profiles, numerous colour multi-views, softcover, A4 Format, 21 cm (8 1/4”) x 29.7 cm (11 3/4 “)

Warpaint Series

Produced by Hall Park Books editor Alan W. Hall, these British produced and printed A4 magazine format (21 cm x 29.7 cm) books each describe in accurate detail a particular aircraft type, with the modeler and aviation enthusiast in mind. Most volumes include 1:72 scale three view plans, and a selection of colour profiles as well as black & white and colour photographs, including detail / walk around photos. A concise history of the type is included, in some cases including international operators.

Aircraft titles range from World War I to the post war period, and include the majority of RAF and Fleet Air Arm aircraft, but also feature many USAAF, USAF, US Navy and Luftwaffe machines. Few contemporary aircraft are featured as Warpaints discuss and illustrate the definitive history of the aircraft involved. Experienced and well established authors and artists are employed in order to accurately portray the subject aircraft, and every effort is made to include previously unpublished information or images. Warpaint Books vary in length and thus page count depending on the content, and are priced accordingly.

• Complete and detailed history

• Complete production list

• Squadrons, units and individual aircraft serials and codes

• 1:72nd scale plans

• Comprehensive specifications

• Superb colour camouflage profiles

• colour and black & white photography

• In detail pictures

• Model kit, decal and accessory list

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