In Box Review of Lindberg 1/72nd Scale
Curtiss SB2C-1 "Helldiver" Dive-bomber
Kit no. 478-100
By Ray Mehlberger
OUT OF PRODUCTION
By Ray Mehlberger
OUT OF PRODUCTION
HISTORY:
The Curtiss SB2C-1 Helldiver was designed and built for the U.S. Navy as a scout and dive-bomber aircraft. The Helldiver was test flown for the first time in 1940 and was delivered to the U.S. Navey for carrier operational training in 1942.
Used in combat for the first time in November 1943, the Helldivers took part in the raid against the Japanese base at Rabaul. Helldivers were also used with great success against the Japanese held islands of Kwajalein, Eniwetok Atoll, the Marshall Islands and the Marainas.
The SB2C-1 aircraft as also tested for use by the U.S. Army as a dive-bomber and low level strafing aircraft, and was known as the A-25A Shrike. Helldivers were also issued to the U.S. Marine squadrons for use a land based dive-bombers.
Specifications of the SB2C-1 Helldiver are -
Wingspan 49 ft. 9 in.
Length 36 ft. 8 in.
Powered by a 1,700 h.p. Wright Cyclone engine.
Armament consisted of two .30 caliber machine guns in the rear cockpit and four .50 caliber machine guns mounted in the wings.
The Helldiver could carry two 1,000 lb. bombs internally and two 500 lb. bombs on wing racks.
Approximate top speed of the Helldiver was over 300 m.p.h.
The Curtiss SB2C-1 Helldiver was designed and built for the U.S. Navy as a scout and dive-bomber aircraft. The Helldiver was test flown for the first time in 1940 and was delivered to the U.S. Navey for carrier operational training in 1942.
Used in combat for the first time in November 1943, the Helldivers took part in the raid against the Japanese base at Rabaul. Helldivers were also used with great success against the Japanese held islands of Kwajalein, Eniwetok Atoll, the Marshall Islands and the Marainas.
The SB2C-1 aircraft as also tested for use by the U.S. Army as a dive-bomber and low level strafing aircraft, and was known as the A-25A Shrike. Helldivers were also issued to the U.S. Marine squadrons for use a land based dive-bombers.
Specifications of the SB2C-1 Helldiver are -
Wingspan 49 ft. 9 in.
Length 36 ft. 8 in.
Powered by a 1,700 h.p. Wright Cyclone engine.
Armament consisted of two .30 caliber machine guns in the rear cockpit and four .50 caliber machine guns mounted in the wings.
The Helldiver could carry two 1,000 lb. bombs internally and two 500 lb. bombs on wing racks.
Approximate top speed of the Helldiver was over 300 m.p.h.
THE KIT:
The copyright date of this kit is 1968.
Lindberg is an old prolific model company based in Skokie, IL. They manufacture all manner of model subjects in the popular scales.
This kit came in a very blousy shrink-wrapped tray and lid type box. It us way too long and wide for the contents.
The box art shows a Helldiver landing on a carrier deck. It has a dark blue spine, light grey sides over light blue under-carraige. The outer sections of the bottom of the wings is dark blue. It has the white number 110 on the cowling sides and on the rudder. The rudders rear sectioin is white. Three Japanese victory marks are under the cockpit.
One side panel of the kit says that its Canadian price in 1968 was $1.69, followed by Lindberg being in Skokie, IL.
The other side panel shows color box arts of 4 other Lindberg aircraft kits, but no name of them or kit numbers. I assume they are all 1/72nd scale. They are: a Me-410, a Me-110, a Ar-234 and a Do-335.
The copyright date of this kit is 1968.
Lindberg is an old prolific model company based in Skokie, IL. They manufacture all manner of model subjects in the popular scales.
This kit came in a very blousy shrink-wrapped tray and lid type box. It us way too long and wide for the contents.
The box art shows a Helldiver landing on a carrier deck. It has a dark blue spine, light grey sides over light blue under-carraige. The outer sections of the bottom of the wings is dark blue. It has the white number 110 on the cowling sides and on the rudder. The rudders rear sectioin is white. Three Japanese victory marks are under the cockpit.
One side panel of the kit says that its Canadian price in 1968 was $1.69, followed by Lindberg being in Skokie, IL.
The other side panel shows color box arts of 4 other Lindberg aircraft kits, but no name of them or kit numbers. I assume they are all 1/72nd scale. They are: a Me-410, a Me-110, a Ar-234 and a Do-335.
WHAT'S IN THE BOX:
This kit contains 3 navy blue parts trees, loose navy blue elevators and lower wing halves, 2 clear trees, a steel rod, decal sheet and instructions.
The instructions consist of a single sheet printed on both sides in 10" x 13 3/4" page format.
The face side has 2 black and white photos of the model made up in the box art scheme, followed by the history of the Helldiver.
The other side of the sheet has one exploded illustration to use for assembly. There are no parts trees illustratios provided, but some of the parts have number tabs next to them on the parts trees, but not ALL of them.
Flaps are molded solid and panel lines are of the raised variety. Parts are not cello bagged except for the small steel rod. Its in a sealed cello bag. I think it is part of the display stand???
The parts trees are not alphabetized.
The first navy blue parts tree holds: a fuselage half, propeller, main wheel halves, name plate for the display base, propeller hub etc. (8 parts)
This kit contains 3 navy blue parts trees, loose navy blue elevators and lower wing halves, 2 clear trees, a steel rod, decal sheet and instructions.
The instructions consist of a single sheet printed on both sides in 10" x 13 3/4" page format.
The face side has 2 black and white photos of the model made up in the box art scheme, followed by the history of the Helldiver.
The other side of the sheet has one exploded illustration to use for assembly. There are no parts trees illustratios provided, but some of the parts have number tabs next to them on the parts trees, but not ALL of them.
Flaps are molded solid and panel lines are of the raised variety. Parts are not cello bagged except for the small steel rod. Its in a sealed cello bag. I think it is part of the display stand???
The parts trees are not alphabetized.
The first navy blue parts tree holds: a fuselage half, propeller, main wheel halves, name plate for the display base, propeller hub etc. (8 parts)
The second navy blue parts tree holds: the other fuselage half, cowling, pilot figure, other main wheel halves, landing gear legs, gear doors etc.(15 parts)
The third navy blue tree holds the upper wing halves (2 parts)
The navy blue lower wing halves are loose (2 parts)
The first clear parts tree holds cockpit transparencies (2 parts)
The second clear parts tree holds the 2 parts of the display stand.
The second clear parts tree holds the 2 parts of the display stand.
The decal sheet completes the kits contents.
This is a nice kit for almost being 60 years old.
Recommended.
I bought my kit at my local hobby shop.
Recommended.
I bought my kit at my local hobby shop.