WANNA BUY A HELLDIVER?

Flight Journal, Jun 2004 by Allnutt, Richard Mallory

NEWS OF A previously unreported Curtiss SB2C-5 Helldiver survivor has surfaced in Fredericksburg, Virginia. The aircraft (BuNo. 83393) crashed into trees shortly after takeoff on July 24, 1945, at the U.S. Navy Proving Grounds in Dahlgren, Virginia. It lay there for the next 48 years. The National Air and Space Museum (NASM) recovered the wreckage in 1993, with Navy approval, as a spares source for its own Helldiver. The aircraft had broken into four pieces during the crash, and although it wasn't burned or corroded, it was considered no more than a collection of components by the Navy and NASM.

The Helldiver's remains, after NASM took the necessary spare parts, were traded to Kevin Smith in 1994. Kevin saw potential in the Helldiver, and during the last 10 years, he has amassed a large collection of new old stock (NOS) and used original components to begin a project to restore and fly one. Kevin recently took delivery of the completely restored vertical stabilizer from Aerotrader, but he has reluctantly decided to sell the Helldiver so he can concentrate on his A-24B Banshee.

The Helldiver is about 85-percent complete. Except for the crushed upper decking, the center section and spar seem to be in excellent condition, but a complete NOS upper decking-from windscreen to gunner's canopy-comes with the project. The tail section is in fine restorable condition and comes with NOS elevators. Although significantly damaged, the outer wings are eminently restorable by today's standards. The only parts that are missing to some degree are from the cockpit forward. Some cowlings, a replacement engine, a propeller, instruments and controls have been acquired, but more important, a nearly complete quick engine change unit has been found, and its location will be revealed to its purchaser. Prospective buyers may contact the owner via helldiver_83393@hotmail.com or rmallnutt.com/helldiver.

-Richard Mallory Allnutt