SB2C-5 (France)

This page is about the naval bomber SB2C-5 (France). For other versions, see SB2C (Family).

▄SB2C-5

M.B.175T

▄AD-4

▄SB2C-5

M.B.175T

▄AD-4

France

III Rank

Battle rating:

AB	RB	SB
3.7	3.7	4.0

Class:

Bomber

Dive bomber

Naval aircraft

Torpedo bomber

Research:18 000

Purchase:47 000

Show in game

Description

The Curtiss SB2C Helldiver entered service with the US Navy in 1942, replacing the SBD Dauntless. It was a much larger aircraft that was capable of carrying much larger payloads, powered by the R-2600 Twin Cyclone engine and featuring an internal bomb bay for reduced drag. However, the Helldiver was not really successful, due to its poor survivability, and in many cases the F6F Hellcat fighter-bomber was capable of performing the same tasks. France purchased 110 SB2C-5 Helldivers in 1949 in replacement of their own SBD Dauntless dive bombers, these aircraft were used up until 1958 serving in the French Navy aboard aircraft carriers, and saw combat only in the First Indochina War.

It was introduced in Update 1.73 "Vive la France". US pilots may be familiar with the SB2C-1c and SB2C-4 and this plane is virtually identical besides its inability to carry the 1,000 lb Type A magnetic mine. While the Helldiver works well as a dive-bomber or attacker, its good armament and bomber spawn also allow it to hunt other aircraft. The good turning ability can be a lethal surprise during dogfights if no payload is being carried, since this will reduce its performance in air combat.

General info

Flight performance

Arrestor gear

Accelerates braking by grabbing the brake cable on the deck of the aircraft carrier

Air brakes

Allows you to dramatically reduce the flight speed by releasing special flaps

Max speed

at 4 998 m459 km/h

Turn time23 s

Max altitude8 230 m

EngineWright R-2600-20

TypeRadial

Cooling systemAir

Take-off weight8 t

The SB2C-5 is large and bulky, as with many other US Navy aircraft. Its speed, climb, and acceleration are poor by fighter standards, not exceptional by attacker standards, and acceptable by bomber standards. Roll rate and general energy retention are substandard as well. But like the Soviet IL-2, it has a good turn rate in the horizontal, which can turn the tables on enemies who underestimate the SB2C. The rudder tends to lose effectiveness at higher speeds, so take advantage of the airbrakes during extended dives to maintain control.

The SB2C-5 has the same R-2600-8 engine as the SB2C-1c but the engine performance appears to be modeled identically to the SB2C-4's R-2600-20 engine.

Characteristics	Max Speed (km/h at 4,998 m)		Max altitude (metres)	Turn time (seconds)		Rate of climb (metres/second)		Take-off run (metres)
	AB	RB		AB	RB	AB	RB
Stock	441	423	8230	24.0	24.8	3.7	3.6	300
Upgraded	482	459		22.1	23.0	9.0	6.1

Details

Features
Combat flaps	Take-off flaps	Landing flaps	Air brakes	Arrestor gear
✓	✓	✓	✓	✓

Limits
Wings (km/h)	Gear (km/h)	Flaps (km/h)			Max Static G
		Combat	Take-off	Landing	+	-
656	333	503	481	250	~11	~5

Optimal velocities (km/h)
Ailerons	Rudder	Elevators	Radiator
< 257	< 350	< 380	> 326

Survivability and armour

Crew2 people

Speed of destruction

Structural656 km/h

Gear333 km/h

• 38 mm Bulletproof glass in front of pilot.
• 11.11 mm Steel plate behind pilot.
• 8.5 mm Steel plate underneath the engine.
• 6.35 mm Steel plate on top of fuselage in front of cockpit.
• 6.35 mm Steel plate on dorsal turret gun.
• Self-sealing fuel tanks located behind the pilot and in the wing roots

The SB2C-5 is a fairly rugged plane. In head-ons, the pilot is protected from instant knockouts by the bulletproof glass and the radial engine can soak up some incoming fire. The firewall behind the pilot also helps to avoid pilot knockouts from the rear, though the gunner has very limited protection and the fuselage fuel tank might be ignited by cannons or heavy machine guns. It also presents a very large target, so don't allow enemies to sit on your tail.

Modifications and economy

Repair costBasic → Reference

AB1 045 → 1 342

RB1 935 → 2 486

SB3 799 → 4 881

Total cost of modifications19 950

32 800

Talisman cost980

Crew training13 000

Experts47 000

Aces400

Research Aces280 000

Reward for battleAB / RB / SB

70 / 150 / 250 %

136 / 136 / 136 %

Modifications

Flight performance	Survivability	Weaponry
Fuselage repair Research: 790 Cost: 1 300 125 Radiator Research: 790 Cost: 1 300 125 Airframe Research: 890 Cost: 1 500 140 Compressor Research: 890 Cost: 1 500 140 Wings repair Research: 990 Cost: 1 600 160 Engine Research: 990 Cost: 1 600 160 Cover Research: 1 100 Cost: 1 800 175 Engine injection Research: 1 100 Cost: 1 800 175		ITC mk.III Research: 790 Cost: 1 300 125 DGP-1 Research: 790 Cost: 1 300 125 bmg50_belt_pack Research: 790 Cost: 1 300 125 Improved torpedo Research: 890 Cost: 1 500 140 bmg30_turret_belt_pack Research: 890 Cost: 1 500 140 bmg50_new_gun Research: 890 Cost: 1 500 140 SBC mk.I Research: 990 Cost: 1 600 160 bmg30_turret_new_gun Research: 990 Cost: 1 600 160 anm2_belt_pack Research: 990 Cost: 1 600 160 MBC mk.I Research: 1 100 Cost: 1 800 175 M66 Research: 1 100 Cost: 1 800 175 anm2_new_gun Research: 1 100 Cost: 1 800 175 FRC mk.2 Research: 1 100 Cost: 1 800 175

Armaments

Offensive armament

The SB2C-5 (France) is armed with:

• 2 x 20 mm AN/M2 cannons, wing-mounted (200 rpg = 400 total)

The two cannons are arranged with one in each wing. Each are armed with the same amount of ammunition, which means that all guns will fire with each other until empty.

The AN/M2 cannons are very powerful. They have a decent rate of fire and good muzzle velocity along with strong kinetic effects for the AP-T rounds and good explosive filler for the HEF-I rounds. Use either Default, Air Targets, or Universal: Default consists of 2/3rds HEF-I and 1/3rd AP-T, which works just fine, and Air Targets consists of 3/4ths HEF-I and 1/4th AP-I for those who want maximum explosive damage. For ground attack, the Universal belt has 50/50 AP-T and HEF-I content and is the best option. Ground Targets and Stealth have practice rounds that deal little damage, so these should be avoided. Note that the HEF-I rounds don't have tracers, so those who are not accustomed to leading the cannons should consider Universal.

Gun convergence should be considered since the cannons are mounted far apart on the wings. 400-500 m should work well.

Suspended armament

The SB2C-5 (France) can be outfitted with the following ordnance:

	1	2	3	4	5
12.7 mm M2 Browning machine guns (340 rpg)		2*		2*
250 lb AN-M57 bombs		1	2	1
500 lb AN-M64A1 bombs		1	2	1
1,000 lb AN-M65A1 bombs		1	1	1
2,000 lb AN-M66A2 bombs			1
HVAR rockets	4*				4*
2,216 lb Mk.13-6 Case torpedoes			1
2,216 lb Mk.13-6 torpedoes			1
Maximum permissible loadout weight: 2,260 kg
* M2 Browning pods cannot be equipped with HVAR rockets on the adjacent hardpoint

Default weapon presets
8 x HVAR rockets 4 x 250 lb AN-M57 bombs (1,000 lb total) 4 x 500 lb AN-M64A1 bombs (2,000 lb total) 1 x 1,000 lb AN-M65A1 bomb (1,000 lb total) 2 x 1,000 lb AN-M65A1 bombs (2,000 lb total) 1 x 2,000 lb AN-M66A2 bomb (2,000 lb total) 1 x 2,216 lb Mk.13-6 torpedo 1 x 2,216 lb Mk.13-6 Case torpedo 4 x 12.7 mm M2 Browning machine guns (340 rpg = 1,360 total)

The SB2C-5 has a good choice of ordnance, though it comes stock with only two 250 lb bombs that give it an extremely poor bombing capacity. From there on, either the DGP-1 or ITC mk.III modifications can be researched to give either a total of four 12.7 mm machine guns (a preferable choice for Air Battles) or a torpedo (preferable for Naval Battles) respectively. It's not until the tier IV that the MBC mk.I modification becomes available giving the plane an ability to use its most potent bombing setup with a single 1,000 lb + two 500 lb bombs.

A total load of 2,000 lb is not exceptional for its rank but not bad either. The HVAR (FRC mk.2) rockets are somewhat underwhelming in terms of explosive power and ballistics, typically needing a direct hit to destroy ground or naval targets. They also cannot be taken in conjunction with other ordnance, so it is best to avoid them. The twin M2 Browning gun pods are a significant boost the SB2C-5's firepower and are a good choice for bomber hunting or head-on engagements while researching later load-outs. The default torpedo is extremely challenging to use in the realistic battles due to the need to slow down below 205 km/h below 105 m, making you a very easy target for any unoccupied anti-air guns or even casemate-mounted secondaries. Improved torpedo significantly increases the drop speed and altitude, making it much easier to survive. The torpedo itself has a very respectable speed and TNT equivalent, making it able to sink destroyers and most of the light cruisers with a single hit.

Defensive armament

The SB2C-5 (France) is defended by:

• 2 x 7.62 mm Browning machine guns, dorsal turret (2,000 rpg = 4,000 total)

The twin 7.62 mm machine guns are not very effectively at warding off enemies at the Helldiver's rank. They can only pilot-snipe aircraft with no bulletproof glass and are not very effective at setting fires or damaging modules. Causing an oil or fuel leak is a lucky occurrence and the defensive gun should not be relied upon to protect the plane.

Usage in battles

The SB2C-5 enjoys a bomber spawn in RB, but using it as a pure bomber is not very productive since its bombload isn't very impressive; 2,000 lbs maximum is not enough to take out a base at its battle rating. As such, the bombs are best used against ground targets and pillboxes. The cannon armament, decent durability, and bomber spawn also make it good at hunting other bombers, who may not expect to be intercepted by another aircraft so quickly.

One method of using the SB2C is to use it initially as a high-altitude bomber hunter and later as a dive bomber and attacker. There is a window of time at the start of the match where enemy fighters will generally not have climbed up to bomber altitudes, and during this time any bombers encountered are typically not escorted. The powerful AN/M2 cannons can destroy enemies from a safe distance and the SB2C can afford to take a hit or two from defensive gunners. When enemies and/or teammates have reached your altitude, start thinking about when to dive down. If you are carrying bombs, they can be used to destroy quickly pillboxes and tanks. The cannon and gun pods can be used against lightly armoured targets, and if there is a surplus of ammo, against light pillboxes as well. The SB2C can use its manoeuvrability and guns to dive down and engage enemies below it, but keep in mind that the energy retention and climb rate prevent it from regaining that altitude easily once expended. Try to stay close to teammates as a knowledgeable enemy fighter will know to exploit the SB2C's poor speed and vertical performance to take it out safely. If any enemy attackers have survived up to this point, the SB2C stands a better chance of cleaning them up. But be wary of head-ons; some attackers like the SM.91 have ludicrous forward armament that exceed the SB2C handidly, and others like the IL-2 have both lethal guns and heavy armour.

Ground RB

The SB2C-5 can be used to good effect in Ground RB, though it does not have an accompanying tank lineup at the battle rating of 4.0. The best loadout for tank busting is the 1 x 1,000 lb + 2 x 500 lb bomb setup, which should be sufficient for a few sizeable bomb drops. This SB2C lacks the ability to carry the extremely powerful magnetic mine available to its US cousins, which makes it somewhat less entertaining, but the traditional bombload is often more practical. Bomb delivery is easy due to the SB2C's slow speed and easy handling. The airbrakes are helpful for deep dives. Once the bombs are expended, keep an eye out for enemy fighters and attackers. The SB2C can fare surprisingly well in the low-altitude turnfights common in Ground RB, so make good use of the cannons. The cannon's AP-T rounds also do good work against lightly armoured vehicles like light tanks and SPAA, and even some medium tanks like the Panzer IV. Note that SPAA is a major threat to the SB2C since it is slow, big, and not heavily armoured, so keep an eye on the ground and try not to stall out in full view of a Wirbelwind.

Manual Engine Control

MEC elements
Mixer	Pitch	Radiator			Supercharger	Turbocharger
		Oil	Water	Type
Controllable	Controllable Auto control available	Not controllable Not auto controlled	Controllable Auto control available	Combined	Controllable 2 gears	Not controllable

Pros and cons

Pros:

• Multi-role capable aircraft both as a dive bomber and bomber hunter
• Has air brakes to keep aircraft stabilized and from accelerating during a dive
• Good armament, especially with gun pods equipped
• Good turn rate in the horizontal

Cons:

• Slow, poor climb and acceleration
• Poor manoeuvrability, especially when laden with suspended ordnance
• Bombload is not very good by bomber standards
• Aircraft's vertical stabilizer (tail) causes a blind spot for the dorsal gunner
• Weak defensive armament

History

The Curtiss SB2C Helldiver was a dive-bomber that entered service with the US Navy in 1942, replacing the earlier SBD Dauntless. A much larger aircraft than the Dauntless, it was powered by the R-2600 Twin Cyclone engine and featured an internal bomb bay. The Helldiver experienced difficulties during development and was initially unpopular with its crews. It had a shorter range than the Dauntless, was difficult to maintain, and had worse handling characteristics, earning it some colorful nicknames like "Big-tailed Beast" or "Son of a ***** 2nd Class". The design was progressively improved and the SB2C served extensively in the Pacific, participating in the sinking of the Japanese battleship Yamato and other storied campaigns. The US Navy continued to use the SB2C after the end of World War II for a few years, but the concept of the dive bomber had become outdated due to the advent of powerful air-to-ground rockets, guided weapons, and other technological advances. Even during the war, the Helldiver's role was often taken over by fighter-bombers like the F6F Hellcat. The Helldiver was retired in 1947 and a number were sold to other countries.

France purchased 110 SB2C-5 Helldivers beginning in 1949 as a replacement for their own SBD Dauntlesses and used them until 1958. The SB2C-5 model was a minor improvement over the SB2C-4 featuring slightly more fuel and a modified canopy that did not enter service with the US Navy until after the end of World War 2. The Helldivers were based on three French aircraft carriers and saw use in the First Indochina War.

Media

Skins

• Skins and camouflages for the SB2C-5 (France) from live.warthunder.com.

See also

Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:

• reference to the series of the aircraft;
• links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.

External links

Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:

• topic on the official game forum;
• other literature.

France bombers
Farman	F.222.2 · N.C.223.3
Latécoère	Late 298D
Potez	Potez 633
Liore et Olivier	LeO 451 early · LeO 451 late
Bloch	M.B.174A-3 · M.B.162 · M.B.175T
American	V-156-F · Martin 167-A3 · ▄A-35B · ▄SB2C-5 · B-26C · ▄PBY-5A Late · ▄PB4Y-2
British	Lancaster MR.7