Curtiss SB2C Helldiver

[Brian Lockett]

The sole airworthy Curtiss SB2C Helldiver N92879 on the Commemorative Air Force ramp at Falcon Field this morning:

[Lynn Evans]

That is a good set of photos, really like number three. Thanks

[Brian Lockett]

That is a good set of photos, really like number three. Thanks

Thanks, Lynn!  It was a very uncommon opportunity to see the Helldiver.  I have only seen it once before

(Make that twice. Beside seeing it at Van Nuys and Camarillo in June 2006, I ran across it at Chino in April 1971.).  

It rarely comes this far west.  For some reason the pilot folded the wings during the engine run up, fortunately just as the sun came out from behind the clouds for a moment.

I have more SB2C Helldover photos on my web site at http://air-and-space.com/Curtiss%20SB2C%20Helldiver.htm.

[wingsnstuff]

Brian

Your Helldiver Photos are great.  I especially like the folded wing shot.  Very nice.

[cpasley]

Son Of A B*tch 2nd Class ,learned that when I was like 12 and has made it one of my favorites ever since 

[Dave S.]

The reason behind the wing fold was that prior to engine start; I had asked the pilot if they still folded.  He said they sure did and would give us a little demonstration, which he nicely did.

With any luck, we'll see that plane out here, on the 'west side' in the near future.

[Brian Lockett]

Brian

Your Helldiver Photos are great.  I especially like the folded wing shot.  Very nice.

Thanks!  That folded wing shot was a bit of good fortune and lucky timing..

[Dave S.]

Here are some more shots of that Helldiver during its brief stopover at Falcon Field.  With any luck, we'll see her again here/near the West coast.

Sunrise


Head on wingfold


Take-off roll

[wingsnstuff]

Nice Shots of the Helldiver Dave.  Was it just visiting or is it here permanently?  I'd love to see it in person.  Too bad it could participate in last Saturday's event.

[Dave S.]

Vance,

She's homebased in Houston and was just passing through on her way back home from the Navy's Heritage Flight Conference.  She is booked at a number of airshows this year (~19), but just about all of those are on the east coast.  With any luck, she'll be able to make some appearances out here on the western side of the US.

- Dave

[wingsnstuff]

She is beautifully restored and you all took some excellent photos of her.  Thanks for sharing them.

[Barry Griffiths]

 
Curtiss Wright SB2C5 Helldiver s/n 83589 (1944) Commemorative Air Force N92879 by Barry Griffiths CAD, on Flickr
 
Curtiss Wright SB2C5 Helldiver s/n 83589 (1944) Commemorative Air Force N92879 by Barry Griffiths CAD, on Flickr
 
Curtiss Wright SB2C5 Helldiver s/n 83589 (1944) Commemorative Air Force N92879 by Barry Griffiths CAD, on Flickr

[Jay Beckman]

Of course, Mother Nature threw her worst weather of the week at us on Wednesday (CoNA Day) so in-flight shots weren't really worth trying.

On the takeoff roll at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2011


And on the landing rollout...


I've got some taxiing shots from a better day that I'll add eventually...

[Jay Beckman]

Rolling In On Target...

[MorrisAero]

Brian, Jay, et. al.,

Nice shots...saw this plane at Osh Kosh this summer, but only got static shots.

Rudy