Progress Made On Our SB2C-5 Helldiver

RestorationsParts

Nov 4

In 2006, our SB2C-5 Helldiver began on the restoration journey to its original airworthy condition. In 2009, we had to call pause on the restoration in order to restore a P-40 Warhawk and did not resume the helldiver restoration again until 2015. Since 2015, we have been working on it steadily. We still have a lot to do, we can see the finish line getting closer. Our restoration team continues to make progress on the project everyday!

Perhaps some of the most noticeable progress is the installment of the bomb bay doors, the completion of the the flaps and ailerons, and the fairings between the wing and fuselage are fit. We just have a little trimming to do on them. The bomb bay doors were finished and permanently installed the first week of October. The Helldiver’s bomb bay doors are hydraulically operated, opening and closing on command to release 1,000 pounds worth of bombs. The flaps are finished and ready for installation and the ailerons have been covered with fabric and are primed. We just have to paint them and install them.

We continue to make progress around the engine! Check out the recent accomplishments below:

Most of the Curtiss Electric propeller accessories have been mounted
The engine control bellcranks are installed
The Parker fuel strainer has been installed
We made the Curtiss primer system to it’s original design and have fully installed it
Vacuum oil air separators are all plumbed

What’s next?

Next week we will be test fitting the outer wing panels, and after that we will be prepping the fuselage for paint!

Own a piece of our SB2C-5 Helldiver!

One of the best ways to share history is by having it on display to start conversation. We have the original dive flaps and original skins off our SB2C Helldiver for sale. We also have new old stock Helldiver canopies available for purchase.

Helldiver Parts

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