Helldiver

[cardboard_killer]

[80 years ago today] "• The Curtiss XSB2C Helldiver has its maiden flight. Designed as a replacement dive bomber for the Douglas SBD Dauntless, it will suffer numerous developmental problems, and MIT’s Professor of Aeronautical Engineering is quoted as saying, “If they build more than one of these, they are crazy!” The US Navy will not accept the aircraft until 880 changes are made. More than 7,000 will be built, and the land based version, the A-25 Shrike, will be rejected by the USAAF and RAAF. The US Marine Corps will use the type as trainers and target tugs."