[swoop]

I would select one of Shawn's suggestions for my PTO collection. As long as it's not blue. Need some colour in there.

[Spinnaker]

Originally Posted by Shamrock

I voted for two. Having seen Shawn's post with the USAAF A-25 and the other super schemes I reckon I'd take more.

Ditto

[Shawn 507]

Originally Posted by swoop

I would select one of Shawn's suggestions for my PTO collection. As long as it's not blue. Need some colour in there.

Well hopefully those six were forwarded to HM, though that last one is a bad picture..

[leeG]

It would be an interesting model. Not on the top of my list, though. I talked to a former naval aviator a while back about the HELLDIVER. He basically said it was a wast of deck space. They would rather have had more HELLCATS. The F6F could carry the same bomb load and do so much more.

[hawkonevoodoo]

Originally Posted by Shawn 507

Well hopefully those six were forwarded to HM, though that last one is a bad picture..

Done and gone!!!

[planenutsfrog]

Originally Posted by leeG

It would be an interesting model. Not on the top of my list, though. I talked to a former naval aviator a while back about the HELLDIVER. He basically said it was a wast of deck space. They would rather have had more HELLCATS. The F6F could carry the same bomb load and do so much more.

The same bomb load..., on half the range ?!

The Helldiver had remained the main US naval strike aircraft for years after the war, and the most potent until the introduction of the Skyraider.

Its range and payload were far superior to those of contemporary single seat fighters.

Its cruising speed was merely inferior to that of the Hellcat. Only that of the Corsair was significantly better.

[Shawn 507]

Originally Posted by planenutsfrog

The same bomb load..., on half the range ?!

The Helldiver had remained the main US naval strike aircraft for years after the war, and the most potent until the introduction of the Skyraider.

Its range and payload were far superior to those of contemporary single seat fighters.

Its cruising speed was merely inferior to that of the Hellcat. Only that of the Corsair was significantly better.

But how far were the planes flying from home? You have to admit, a force of Hellcats that drop their eggs then turn into fighters would be great.

[planenutsfrog]

Sure !

Nevertheless, the USN considered active carrier groups composed of F4U and SB2C as the better (interim) option.

So, postwar the F6F went to the reserve.

[Rush104]

Originally Posted by planenutsfrog

Sure !

Nevertheless, the USN considered active carrier groups composed of F4U and SB2C as the better (interim) option.

So, postwar the F6F went to the reserve.

Here's a more bone-headed decision- replacing the A-6 with the F-18...Fleet tactical air got neutered when that happened...

[leeG]

Originally Posted by leeG

It would be an interesting model. Not on the top of my list, though. I talked to a former naval aviator a while back about the HELLDIVER. He basically said it was a wast of deck space. They would rather have had more HELLCATS. The F6F could carry the same bomb load and do so much more.

Just finished the Crowood Aviation Series Curtiss SB2C Helldiver by Peter C. Smith. I have a lot more respect for this plane now and would love to have a couple in 1/72 scale. I also see that the comments of the former naval aviator referred to above, while harsh, are valid. His experience was during the end game of the Pacific war, where the Kamikaze was the biggest threat to the carriers. Swapping F6Fs for the SB2C gave more Hellcats protect the ship, still got the bombs dropped, and as an added benefit simplified the ship's logistics requirements.

Just after the war, the SB2C replaced the Avenger on the carriers serving as both dive bomber and torpedo bomber when VB and VT squadrons became VA for Attack,