This contest was a tough one but the observer corps came through with flying colors and over half identified the aircraft correctly. The others identified some of the many variants of this Curtiss designed dive bomber.
The mystery aircraft is the Curtiss XSB2C-6 Helldiver (BuNo 18621) circa late 1944. In May 1944, Curtiss took delivery of two SB2C-3 aircraft (BuNos 18620 and 18621) to develop a prototype of the planned final variant of the Helldiver. Both aircraft were fitted with a 2,100-hp Wright R-2600-22 engine that developed 200 more horsepower than the R-2600-20 engine fitted in the SB2C-3 and follow-on -4 and -5 models. The addition of the massive engine required a longer tapered nose and redesigned cowling with two air scoops inside the fairing at the upper corners. Both aircraft were extensively tested at NAS Patuxent River, Md., and although the aircraft performance was slightly improved, no production orders were placed with the end of World War II in sight. Both prototypes were used as test beds for various design schemes at both NAS Norfolk and Philadelphia. To improve the Helldiver’s range and directional stability, the vertical tail was heightened and its chord narrowed. A dorsal fin was added and the aircrafts wingtips were modified. BuNo 18620 was stricken on 31 December 1945 and 18621 on 30 September 1946.
Tim Barbosa was the winner of the fall contest and will receive a one-year subscription to The Hook magazine and a Tailhook coffee mug.
Be careful with the new mystery aircraft (below). Keep those cards and e-mails coming (The Tailhook Association, 9696 Businesspark Ave., San Diego, CA 92131; thookassn@aol.com) with the manufacturer and correct designation of the aircraft at the time of the photograph. No phone calls, please.
Oh, yeah. Only one entry per contestant, please.
Either e-mail your
guess to thookassn@aol.com
or send it to:
"What is it?"
The Hook Magazine
9696 Businesspark Ave.
San Diego, CA 92131-1643