Son-of-a-Bitch 2nd Class

Post Reply
Message
Author
User avatar
TheGreenGoblin
Chief Pilot
Chief Pilot
Posts: 17596
Joined: Thu Aug 08, 2019 11:02 pm
Location: With the Water People near Trappist-1

Son-of-a-Bitch 2nd Class

#1 Post by TheGreenGoblin » Mon Nov 16, 2020 2:45 pm

I was reading about the Battle of the Philippine Sea and was amazed to read that 80% of the Curtiss SB2C Helldivers that were deliberately launched from long range were lost due to fuel starvation (45 aircraft). Of these aircraft 80% of the crews were rescued. Clearly the pilots and crew knew the risk they were taking when they departed. I am in awe of the courage required to undertake such a mission in shark infested seas.

The SB2C Hell Diver wasn't liked by crews of the ships Captains it seems.
Among its major faults, the Helldiver was underpowered, had a shorter range than the SBD, was equipped with an unreliable electrical system, and was often poorly manufactured. The Curtiss-Electric propeller and the complex hydraulic system had frequent maintenance problems. One of the faults remaining with the aircraft through its operational life was poor longitudinal stability, resulting from a fuselage that was too short due to the necessity of fitting onto aircraft carrier elevators. The Helldiver's aileron response was also poor and handling suffered greatly under 90 kn (100 mph; 170 km/h) airspeed; since the speed of approach to land on a carrier was supposed to be 85 kn (98 mph; 157 km/h), this proved problematic. The 880 changes demanded by the Navy and modification of the aircraft to its combat role resulted in a 42% weight increase, explaining much of the problem.
Though you remain
Convinced
"To be alive
You must have somewhere
To go
Your destination remains
Elusive."

G-CPTN
Chief Pilot
Chief Pilot
Posts: 7594
Joined: Sun Aug 05, 2018 11:22 pm
Location: Tynedale
Gender:
Age: 79

Re: Son-of-a-Bitch 2nd Class

#2 Post by G-CPTN » Mon Nov 16, 2020 4:03 pm

Informative video.

Pontius Navigator
Chief Pilot
Chief Pilot
Posts: 14669
Joined: Fri Jul 07, 2017 8:17 am
Location: Gravity be the clue
Gender:
Age: 80

Re: Son-of-a-Bitch 2nd Class

#3 Post by Pontius Navigator » Mon Nov 16, 2020 4:10 pm

90 kn (100 mph; 170 km/h) airspeed; since the speed of approach to land on a carrier was supposed to be 85 kn (98 mph; 157 km/h)
No wonder they had problems 😊

90-103-166
85-97-157

Post Reply