Recently Restored SB2C-5 Helldiver Departs Oshkosh 2024

Being the world’s largest air show, there was no doubt that the EAA AirVenture at Oshkosh would attract many rare aircraft types. One warbird that stood out in particular was this beautiful example of a Curtiss SB2C (serial no. 83393), also known as the Helldiver.

The Helldiver was a carrier-based dive bomber which replaced the Douglas SBD Dauntless. It was faster than the Dauntless, and by the end of the Pacific War, it was the US Navy's main attack and dive bomber aircraft. Nicknames for the Helldiver included "Big-Tailed Beast", "Two-Cee" and, "Son-of-a-Bitch 2nd Class" - derived from the aircraft's designation SB2C due to its difficult handling characteristics.

Registered as N48HD, 83393 is owned by Fagen Fighters and is part of their WW2 museum based in Granite Falls, Minnesota. At the time if writing this, it is currently one of only two airworthy examples of a Helldiver in the world, subsequently, this has since risen to three as of Sunday 11th August 2024.

Huge credit to the team at Fagen Fighters for not only restoring this magnificent aeroplane but for also getting her to Oshkosh only a few days after her first post-restoration flight!

Unfortunately we couldn't quite capture the start-up, but there is some fantastic audio of the engine running as it taxied past for departure. Fingers crossed we see some more of it soon!

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