Airplane Model*Hobby Master HA2205 1:72 Helldiver Mk.1 “JW104” – Miniature Marvels: Airplane Models & Painted Dice

Hobby Master HA2205 1:72 Helldiver Mk.1, “JW104” No. 1820 Naval Air Squadron, Fleet Air Arm, 1944.

The SB2C Helldiver was designed to replace the SBD Dauntless as the USNs main dive-bomber. The SB2C Helldiver was commonly referred to as The Beast because of itssize and rather poor handling characteristics. Even with new variants and upgrades theHelldiver never received the credit and respect it deserved. With over 800 improvementsthe later variants of the Helldiver eventually flew faster and further than the Avenger,except for range it beat the SBD in every category. Its cruising speed was only 2 mphslower than the famous Hellcat.

The Canadian Car & Foundry Co. manufactured 28 SB2C-1 Helldivers with a designator
of SBW-1B for lend-lease to the Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm who designated them HelldiverMk.1. They were serial numbered JW100  JW125. These were tested and loaded on anaircraft carrier with initial delivery to 1820 Squadron in April 1944. It wasnt long beforethe British suffered the same crashes and serviceability problems as the USN. At thispoint the FAA deemed the aircraft unsuitable and cancelled the remainder of the planned450 aircraft. These aircraft never saw action and were scrapped in the UK.