SB2C-4

SB2C-4

SB2C-1C

PBJ-1J

SB2C-4

SB2C-1C

PBJ-1J

USA

II Rank

Battle rating:

AB	RB	SB
3.7	3.7	3.7

Class:

Bomber

Dive bomber

Naval aircraft

Torpedo bomber

Research:6 900

Purchase:32 000

Show in game

This page is about the American naval bomber SB2C-4. For other uses, see SB2 (Disambiguation).

Description

The SB2C-4 Helldiver is a rank II American dive bomber with a battle rating of 3.7 (AB/RB/SB). It was introduced in Update 1.53 "Firestorm".

The SB2C-4 is an upgrade from the earlier SB2C-1c dive bomber at Rank II, having a more powerful engine and the ability to mount more payloads, including HVAR rockets. However, this version faces tougher and more deadly aircraft due to a higher Battle Rating.

General info

Flight Performance

Characteristics
Stock
Max Speed (km/h at 4,998 m)		Max altitude (meters)	Turn time (seconds)		Rate of climb (meters/second)		Take-off run (meters)
AB	RB		AB	RB	AB	RB
438	426	8,230	24.4	24.8	2.3	3.6	300
Upgraded
Max Speed (km/h at 4,998 m)		Max altitude (meters)	Turn time (seconds)		Rate of climb (meters/second)		Take-off run (meters)
AB	RB		AB	RB	AB	RB
484	459	8,230	21.2	22.3	12.5	6.9	300

Details

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

Limits
Wing-break speed (km/h)	Gear limit (km/h)	Combat flap (km/h)	Max Static G
			+	-
656	333	520	~8	~4

Optimal velocities
Ailerons (km/h)	Rudder (km/h)	Elevators (km/h)	Radiator (km/h)
< 257	< 350	< 380	> 250

Compressor (RB/SB)
Setting 1
Optimal altitude	100% Engine power	WEP Engine power
975 m	1,750 hp	1,878 hp
Setting 2
Optimal altitude	100% Engine power	WEP Engine power
4,572 m	1,450 hp	?,??? hp

Survivability and armour

• 8.5 mm Steel - Armor plate, the underside of the engine cowling
• 6.35 mm Steel - Cockpit/Instrument panel protection plate
• 11.11 mm Steel - Behind pilot's seat
• 6.35 mm Steel - Dorsal gunner protection plate
• 38 mm Bulletproof glass - Front windscreen

Armaments

Offensive armament

The SB2C-4 is armed with:

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

Suspended armament

The SB2C-4 can be outfitted with the following ordinance:

• 2 x 250 lb AN-M57 bombs (500 lb total)
• 1 x Mk.13 torpedo
• 1 x Mk.13/44 torpedo
• 2 x 500 lb AN-M64A1 bombs (1,000 lb total)
• 4 x 500 lb AN-M64A1 bombs (2,000 lb total)
• 1 x 1000 lb AN-M65A1 bomb (1,000 lb total)
• 1 x 1000 lb AN-M65A1 bomb, 2 x 500 lb AN-M64A1 bomb (2,000 lb total)
• 8 x 127 mm HVAR rockets

Defensive armament

The SB2C-4 is defended by:

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

Usage in battles

Arcade Battles

The SB2C-4 is very much like it's older sibling model in-game, which is a dive bomber/attacker capable of wreaking havoc to both soft and hard ground targets and enemy bases. Despite its capability to carry rockets and under-wing bombs and be used as an attacker, do not attempt to do so, unless you are sure a nearby enemy fighter does not immediately single you out as a target. This aircraft has fairly good manoeuvrability but does not fly nearly as well as any of the fighters you may encounter. However, this does not mean you cannot defend yourself in dire times. A distinct advantage of this aircraft is its firepower is more than enough to bring down any attacking enemy pilot with some skill, however, it's instability in coming out of rough turns can cause problems on getting guns on target difficult. Most pilots don't expect you to carry so much firepower with the extra machine guns so taking head-ons with some planes can work in your favour because most pilots do not expect you to have that much firepower. Moreover, due to it's firepower and airspawn, being a bomber hunter is no problem either. It is important to remember to use this plane's main niche to your advantage as you will be vulnerable to enemy gunners. This plane's niche as fast bomber is further reinforced compared to the SB2C-1c as it carries double the bomb load (2,000 lb/ 907 kg) and if you survive long enough with your firepower to defend yourself you can be a considerable drain to the enemy's ticket counter. Overall, this aircraft is a solid performer in Arcade battles which is a delightful blend of defensive/offensive firepower, speed (not fighter-like though), manoeuvrability and bombing capability specifically for a dive bomber. A recommended aircraft to take out in tier 3 battles and as a silver lions factory!

Realistic Battles

In Realistic Battles, the SB2C-4 excels at the ground attack role. Use the bombs and rockets against hard targets (such as heavy pillboxes and tanks), and the 20 mm cannons for taking out soft targets and light pillboxes. Even the universal ammo belt with 50/50 HEF and AP can take out light pillboxes when aiming for the roof, but belts with more AP will make it easier. However, its use doesn't end there. The SB2C is surprisingly manoeuvrable for a dive bomber, which combined with its high bomber spawn, effective armament, and dive brakes mean it can be used to dive on enemy fighters and bombers, and can even hold its own in a dogfight, especially if the enemy underestimates the plane's manoeuvrability. These characteristics are also good tactics for defending yourself, markedly since the tail gunner is lacklustre. Unfortunately, this does not apply well when at a low energy state (ex: ground attacking at a low level). The SB2C has poor climb rate and acceleration, and experienced pilots will boom and zoom you and leave you few options to defend yourself (trying to get guns on target after an overshoot, forcing a head-on, etc). Instead, try to stay above the battle and go for enemy aircraft, and once your team has a numerical advantage, go to ground level and ground attack, preferably under cover of fighters.

Fighting a SB2C-4

If you come across a SB2C-4, attack from its unprotected bottom which is easy to hit due to planes low speed and pilots rarely looking below their planes. Avoid attacking it when it is in a dive.

Manual Engine Control

MEC elements
Mixer	Pitch	Radiator			Supercharger	Turbocharger
		Oil	Water	Type
Controllable	Not controllable	Not controllable	Not controllable	Separate	Not controllable	Not controllable

Modules

Tier	Flight performance		Survivability	Weaponry
I	Fuselage Repair	Radiator		ITC mk.3	DGP 1	Offensive 12 mm
II		Compressor	Airframe	Improved Torpedo	Turret 7 mm	New 12 mm MGs
III	Wings Repair	Engine		SBC mk.1	New 7 mm MGs (turret)	Offensive 20 mm
IV		Engine Injection	Cover	MBC mk.I	FRC mk.2	New 20 mm Cannons

Pros and cons

Pros:

• Very effective cannon armament
• Very agile for a dive bomber
• Good ground attack payload options
• Has air brakes

Cons

• No belly gunner
• Catches fire relatively easily
• Poor climb rate
• Fairly slow
• Tail gun is ineffective at long range
• Any asymmetrical wing damage makes it very difficult to turn
• Extreme negatively static longitudinal stability for joystick at low speeds (e.g. the aircraft doesn't want to take off, but a slight bump makes the aircraft want to stall and harsh nose-down is required)
• 20 mm shells can almost instantly down your plane

History

Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the aircraft in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too big, take it to a separate article, taking a link to the article about the vehicle and adding a block "/ History" (example: https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Vehicle-name)/History) and add a link to it here using the main template. Be sure to reference text and sources by using <ref>, as well as adding them at the end of the article. This section may also include the vehicle's dev blog entry (if applicable) and the in-game encyclopedia description (under === Encyclopedia Info ===, also if applicable).

Media

The Shooting Range #164 - Pages of History section at 04:12 discusses the SB2C Helldiver.

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;
• encyclopedia page on the aircraft;
• other literature.