“A ‘Helldiver turtle deck’ refers to the collapsible rear fairing on the Curtiss SB2C Helldiver aircraft, designed to fold down for the rear gunner’s unobstructed firing arc, allowing easy use of the dorsal machine guns; it’s a key feature in aviation history. 🤯#pilot #aviation #fly #flight #airplane #aircraft #military #museum #warbird | Aviatress Alyssa

This is the Curtiss SB2C Helldiver, the U.S. Navy’s carrier-based dive bomber introduced in 1943. Compared to the SBD Dauntless it replaced, the Helldiver was larger, with a 49-foot wingspan, powered by a 1,900-horsepower Wright R-2600 Twin Cyclone radial engine. Pilots used perforated dive brakes on the wings to stabilize steep 70-degree dives, rolling in from altitude, aiming, and releasing bombs at around 1,500 feet before pulling out under heavy G-forces. The aircraft’s versatility made it d

The World's Last Flying Curtiss SB2C Helldiver! There's something magical about seeing those wings fold down and the roar of the engine. Pilot Ed Vessly was kind enough to stop for a quick chat before flying the Helldiver home to Texas #museums #history #learn #wwii #pilots #aviationgeek #WingsMuseum #airforce #navy Commemorative Air Force Housting Wing Commemorative Air Force SB2C Helldiver U.S. Navy | Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum

82K views · 2.1K reactions | SB2C "HELLDIVER" lands in Denver Captured in September of 2022 during the CAF Gulf Coast Wing stop at KBJC #helldiver #warbird #aviation #denver #colorado #airplane #aircraft #american #history #warbirds #instagramaviation #aviationgeek #b17 #b17flyingfortress #Boeing #flyingfortress | Commemorative Air Force Mile High Wing | Facebook

SB2C Helldiver WWII U.S. Navy Veteran Dive Bomber Footage of a historic World War II U.S. Navy SB2C Helldiver dive bomber flying steadily at cruising altitude in clear midday daylight, showcasing a legendary American carrier-based bomber with authentic WWII markings and clean natural lighting. #sb2chelldiver #usnavy #militaryaircraft #aviation #airpower | Matsu Nagai

288K views · 11K reactions | The roar of the Beast!  The Curtiss SB2C Helldiver tears low across the turf at the 2025 Geneseo Airshow — a rare warbird flying with power and purpose. Nicknamed “The Beast” by her WWII crews, this dive bomber brings the rumble back to the grass runway where legends live on. #geneseo #ny #warbird #powerful #Helldiver #SB2C #WarbirdPass #GeneseoAirshow #WWIIAircraft #AviationHeritage #GrassRootsFlying | Ryan Tykosh Photography | Facebook