A Bomber So Bad It Took 800+ Changes To Fix | Curtiss SB2C Helldiver

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The ill-fated Curtiss SB2C Helldiver is the subject of today's video. It is perhaps the best example of a potentially excellent aircraft design being ruined by uncompromising requirements.

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Sources:
Bowers.P.P (1979), Curtiss Aircraft 1907-1947).
Smith.P.C (1998), Curtiss SB2C Helldiver.
Stern.R (1982), SB2C Helldiver in Action.
NACA (March 1944), Measurements of flying qualities of Curtiss SB2C-1 Airplane.

0:00 Intro
2:59 Design Origins and Issues
6:07 Prototype problems (Spoiler: there were a lot)
10:26 Production starts (sort of...)
12:54 Into Service (and many conning towers)
14:20 SB2C-3 (an improvement, at last)
16:33 Later models and service
20:17 Postwar use and legacy...