BFP Helldiver II

[comrade harps]

Curtiss SBF-4 Helldiver II
"He'll be back" C3-M, 800 NAS, HMS Emperor
South China Sea, October 1945



When HMS Emperor began its voyage to the Pacific from Britain, it and 2 other aircraft carriers were part of an experiment. With the growing power, range and load-carrying ability of Leand-Lease Hellcats and Corsairs, the Fleet Arm Arm wanted to test if carrier air groups could successfully operate in combat without the need to include two-seat combatants (such as the Barracuda, Firefly and Avenger). As the result of exercises in the Mediterranean and the Indian Ocean, the commanders of the three carriers (HMS Emperor, HMS Shah and HMS Ruler – together dubbed the "Triple Crown Fleet") identified the need for a "combat support" two-seater to conduct a variety of missions, including air-sea rescue, navigation lead-ship and strike-force pathfinder roles.



The requirement was evaluated at high levels whilst docked in Ceylon. During these discussions, a Canadian naval officer commented that his Navy had similar ambitions but had concluded it was prudent to add Helldivers to its carrier air wing to perform a similar range of specialist missions. It was subsequently arranged for a force of 8 SBF-4 Helldivers, built by Fairchild-Canada, to be transferred from Royal Canadian Navy stocks for service aboard the Triple Crown Fleet.  The aircraft were picked up from Australia in July, 1945, along with several seconded Canadian personnel who were familiar with the Helldiver. No new unit was created; instead, a Helldiver Flight was added to the lead fighter squadron of each of the 3 carriers.

Together with the Hellcats and Corsairs of the Triple Crown Fleet, the Helldivers were active over IndoChina and Hong Kong during August and September, 1945. To replace attrition, more Helldivers were added from Canadian stocks and subsequently took part in 2 campaigns against the Japanese Home Islands, during December 1945 and again during the invasion of Honshu, in March and April 1946. Following the end of the war in May, 1946, the Hellldivers returned with their carriers to Britain, where they were retired in October, 1946.





This Helldiver is seen with a typical air-sea rescue load, including two inflatable life rafts and 8 flares underwing, with a 150 US gal fuel tank mounted in the bomb bay.

[Dizzyfugu]

This is cool - and colorful. 

The drop tank perfectly fits into the bomb bay - from a P-47?

[zenrat]

Very good.

[PR19_Kit]

I never thought I'd ever see a good looking Helldiver, but yours does it for me Comrade. 

[DogfighterZen]

That looks very good, very nice work!

[Captain Canada]

Gorgeous. That looks awesome in those colours. I really like the load out for the mission as well.

[NARSES2]

I like that, fits in well with my own British South China Sea Fleet scenario so I may have to pinch the idea  ?

Which kit is it ? I struggled with the Airfix one I put in Soviet markings but have a couple of Academy ones in the stash

[sandiego89]

Great- love the air/sea rescue concept. 

[The Chaos]

This looks so good.
I love it.

[comrade harps]

Dizzyfugu

The drop tank perfectly fits into the bomb bay - from a P-47?

Yep, one of those big centreline drop tanks. Very snug fit, too. The bomb bay doors are designed to be open and I had to cut away their interior half to fit the tank in. I really just wanted to make a Helldiver that did something else than drop bombs and launch rockets and with the open bay doors I was being invited to fit something else in there.

PR19_Kit

I never thought I'd ever see a good looking Helldiver, but yours does it for me Comrade.

Captain Canada

Gorgeous. That looks awesome in those colours. I really like the load out for the mission as well..

sandiego89

Great- love the air/sea rescue concept.

The Chaos

This looks so good.

Here's my design inspiration:



NARSES2

I like that, fits in well with my own British South China Sea Fleet scenario so I may have to pinch the idea.
Which kit is it ? I struggled with the Airfix one I put in Soviet markings but have a couple of Academy ones in the stash

Pinch away! I did (see above).
It's the Academy 1:72nd scale SBW-4. A beautiful kit. Highly recommended.

Thank you for all your positive responses. I've had this in mind for a couple of years and I'm happy that I finally got around to it. It turned out well.

[Dizzyfugu]

That Helldiver in Atlantic colors on the decal sheet looks interesting...  What colors are give for that one? Dark and Light Gull Grey and White?

[NARSES2]

NARSES2

I like that, fits in well with my own British South China Sea Fleet scenario so I may have to pinch the idea.
Which kit is it ? I struggled with the Airfix one I put in Soviet markings but have a couple of Academy ones in the stash

Pinch away! I did (see above).
It's the Academy 1:72nd scale SBW-4. A beautiful kit. Highly recommended.

Cheers 

That Helldiver in Atlantic colors on the decal sheet looks interesting...  What colors are give for that one? Dark and Light Gull Grey and White?

I like the Atlantic scheme. Built a couple of aircraft in it, but just used Gull Grey over White, rather then the 2 greys

[Dizzyfugu]

That Helldiver in Atlantic colors on the decal sheet looks interesting...  What colors are give for that one? Dark and Light Gull Grey and White?

I like the Atlantic scheme. Built a couple of aircraft in it, but just used Gull Grey over White, rather then the 2 greys

That's what made me look twice - I have (so far) never seen such a three-tone variant of the scheme, only two tones (Dark Gull Grey and White). Looks nice, though, and is earmarked for an SBC biplane that I have in the stash...