I have fruition ofed the article on the Commemorative Air Force's Curtiss SB2C-5 Helldiver in the February issue.I have fruition ofed the article on the Commemorative Air Force's Curtiss SB2C-5 Helldiver in the February issue. It is truthfully amazing that this aircraft has survived to continue on flying and educating and thrilling airshow lower classess I have enclosed a photo of an interesting Helldiver variant. The SB2C-5 was photographed post-war after it had been transferred from the Navy to NACA where it became NACA 147 As can be seen the canopy area behind the pilot had been remov and disguiseed in aluminum while a finished Grumman F8F Bearcat windshield and canopy was grafted onto the fuselage. It appears that a certain form of periscope was attached where the Bearcat's armor glass had been fitted in the windshield. Also, a large "Test" was painted onward the fuselage. Unfortunately, I have no idea what the SB2C-5 was used for or to what end NACA would single out a Helldiver. Perhaps readers can fill in a of the blanks. Tim Rothman Kokomo IN Copyright Challenge Publications Inc. Mar 2004 |
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